"The Significance of One Little Greek Word !"

James 2:17-26 "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works; show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one GOD; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead ? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar ? 

Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect ? And the Scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed GOD, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of GOD. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way ? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."

     The Greek word koris means "without, apart from." It is fascinating how this little word is utilized in biblical passages that have tremendous doctrinal significance:

(1)  Nothing was created apart from JESUS CHRIST: "Without HIM was not any thing made that was made" (John 1:3).

(2)  JESUS CHRIST was totally without sins: HE "was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15).

(3)  Apart from CHRIST, all men are totally without hope: "At that time ye were without CHRIST . . . having no hope, and without GOD in the world" (Ephesians 2:12).

(4) Without holiness, no one will see the LORD: "Follow . . . holiness, without which no man shall see the LORD" (Hebrews 12:14).

(5)  Apart from the shedding of CHRIST's blood there is no forgiveness of sins: "Without shedding of blood is no remission" (Hebrews 9:25).

(6)  GOD uses people to disseminate HIS Gospel: "How shall they hear without a preacher ?" (Romans 10:14).

(7)  A person is not saved by trying to keep the Law or by trying to perform good works: "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the Law . . . GOD imputeth righteousness without works" (Romans 3:28; 4:6).

(8)  It is impossible for a person to please GOD apart from faith: "But without faith it is impossible to please HIM" (Hebrews 11:6).

(9)  We cannot accomplish anything of eternal value apart from abiding in CHRIST: "He that abideth in ME, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without ME ye can do nothing" (John 15:5).

(10) A living faith will be accompanied by good works: "Faith without works is dead . . . For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also" (vv.20,26) GWZ

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

 

" They Will NOT Endure Sound Doctrine "

 

2nd.Timothy 4:1-4 "I charge thee therefore before GOD, and the LORD JESUS CHRIST, WHO shall judge the quick and the dead at HIS appearing and HIS kingdom; preach the WORD; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine: but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."

     Many Christians today are sacrificing sound doctrine for the sake of fellowship or "unity." In the past, only ecumenically-minded liberals promoted the unscriptural thesis that unity was of primary importance while doctrinal purity was secondary. Eventually, however, leading evangelicals also began to embrace this same dangerous strategy, and suddenly ecumenical confusion and compromise became prevalent among evangelical Christians. Charismatic leaders likewise joined this delusion, claiming that ecumenical unity is essential if the world is to be evangelized. The fortress of sound doctrine is under attack ! Catholics, Orthodox, liberal Protestants, evangelicals, charismatics, and even some self-proclaimed fundamentalists are uniting in evangelism programs that will supposedly bring worldwide revival. However, since many who comprise these endeavors preach a false gospel (Catholics, Orthodox, liberal Protestants, etc.), these efforts are under GOD's curse (Galatians 1:6-9 pictured above) and, in reality, are setting in motion the creation of the apostate, one-world church that is prophesied to come into its fullness and GOD's judgment during the future Tribulation period (Revelation Chapters 17-18).

     It is essential for true believers to stand their ground when it comes to Bible doctrine. How do we do that ? We do so by knowing what the Bible says and by holding on to that truth through GOD's might. Any fellowship not based upon sound doctrine is harmful, not helpful, no matter how "successful" the joint endeavor might appear to be. Sound doctrine requires biblical separation from all error and from those propagating it (2nd.Timothy 2:15-21 pictured above). If we flout this important truth, then we invite GOD's judgment. MHR

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

" Hearts and Minds Kept by GOD "

 

Philippians 4:6-9 "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto GOD. and the peace of GOD, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through CHRIST JESUS. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

     Believers desperately need the peace of GOD that will "keep (sustain, protect) [their] hearts and minds" (v.7). This inward peace is impossible apart from the LORD, and it only comes as we turn to HIM in prayer and thanksgiving (v.6). In order to have a heart that is kept by GOD, the believer must fill his mind with the right thoughts. What does this kind of thinking entail ? Verse eight of our text lists specific characteristics of those things upon which we are to meditate; we must focus on that which is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy. Our thoughts ought to abound with the truths of GOD's WORD as we rest upon HIS person and HIS promises. The inevitable result will be: "THOU wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on THEE: because he trusteth in THEE" (Isaiah 26:3 pictured at top of post)

     Not only should we think on the right things, but it is also necessary to protect our mind against the flood of wicked thoughts that Satan and evil men delight to craftily substitute for the WORD of GOD. Just as the serpent beguiled Eve, even so we, too, can be lured away from simple, trusting faith in what the Bibles says (2nd.Corinthians 11:3 pictured above). Believers "have the mind of CHRIST" (1st.Corinthians 2:16 pictured above); HIS Holy WORD, so they can discern between what is of GOD and what is of man. We must guard against anything that would draw us apart from a close fellowship with the LORD (1st.John 1:6). Beware of modern "scholarships" that promote corrupt Bible versions, humanistic psychology (even if mixed with Bible truth), and evolutionary theories that may allow for a CREATOR but deny the Genesis account. We must always align our thinking with the WORD of GOD. MHR

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

" EXAMINATION ! "

Romans 14:10-12 "But why dost thou judge thy brother ? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother ? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of CHRIST. For it is written, As I live, saith the LORD, every knee shall bow to ME, and every tongue shall confess to GOD. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to GOD."

     The judgment for your sins and mine was placed on JESUS CHRIST as HE hung upon the cross of Calvary. Peter declared this to be true in 1st. Peter 2:24 (pictured above) where he writes that CHRIST "bare our sins in HIS OWN body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness." Consequently, "there is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in CHRIST JESUS (Romans 8:1). JESUS paid for all our sins -- past, present, and future -- on Calvary's cross. For the one who has trusted in JESUS CHRIST alone for salvation, he will never face an accounting for sin. The LORD JESUS CHRIST paid sin's penalty by HIS death, and the believer is no longer under GOD's judgment. Our debt has been covered, and HIS "It is finished" cry rings triumphant in our hearts. 

     However, while sin's penalty has been paid for in full, we still must appear at the Judgment Seat of CHRIST (Romans 14:10 pictured at top of post) for the purpose of an exhaustive examination of our life. First Corinthians 4:5 says the LORD "Will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest (reveal) the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of GOD." Notice that our commendation will come from GOD HIMSELF; HE will give rewards to the victors but does not whip the losers. We will be recompensed for how we lived our life, whether good or bad (2nd.Corinthians 5:10). Our LORD's examination will, according to 1st.Corinthians 3-4, include our motives for service, the quality of our service, and the quantity of our service. Oh, may we live so that we need not hang our heads in shame as we stand before our SAVIOR and give an account of our deeds ! May we not "empty - handed go" ! Unfaithfulness will lead to loss, but faithful service will gain reward (1st.Corinthians 15:58 pictured above). JED

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

 

" Doctrine Divides "

 

1st.Timothy 4:13 "Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine."

2nd.Timothy 3:16-17 "All Scripture is given by inspiration of GOD, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of GOD may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."

     "Doctrine divides." "Doctrine is not important." "As long as we all love JESUS, let's just get along -- that is what matters." The first statement is definitely true: the second and third are not true. Doctrine does divide, and, in reality, it should. Paul warned Timothy that "the time [would] come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears:" 2nd.Timothy 4:3 pictured above)

     Sound (healthy) doctrine was of grave concern to the Apostle, and he warned about that which was the opposite of sound doctrine (1st.Timothy 1:10 pictured above). He challenged Titus with the necessity of holding on to the objectively truthful WORD of GOD in order to be able, by healthy doctrine, to exhort and convict the disputers (Titus 1:9 pictured below); Paul further admonished him to "speak. . .the things which become sound doctrine" (Titus 2:1 pictured below). Paul, Peter, Jude, and others spoke out against false, unhealthy doctrine and gave a clarion call to separate from false teachers.

     Doctrine is simply teaching, and GOD's inspired WORD "is profitable for doctrine [and] for instruction" (2nd.Timothy 3:16). Does it matter what we believe ? It certainly does ! Without the clear teaching of the WORD of GOD, we would not know the way of salvation in GOD's SON, JESUS. We would still be hopelessly lost, separated from a holy GOD. Furthermore, we could not possibly grow spiritually because the instruction of the WORD would not be available. Yes, it is critical that we know and grow through doctrine. It matters what we believe, for that is what directs how we live. Be thankful that doctrine divides the false from the true, and ardently lay hold of sound doctrine ! JED

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation