Galatians 3:15
"Though it be but a man's covenant yet if it be confirmed"
"No man disannulleth, or addeth thereto"
This is another argument of Paul's and of course, all of Paul's arguments are logical. But this one is based on reasoning, as Paul compares the law to a human contract. "When two people make a contract, it is illegal for a third party to step in and change it or cancel it. Now, God made a contract (covenant) with Abraham 400 years before the law was given! So the law of Moses could never cancel God's original promise to Abraham! And God gave that promise to Abraham's seed as well, and we know that this seed is Christ. The Mosaic law was not a new way of salvation, because it could and would not cancel God's promise to Abraham. I weigh in with Paul! Promise and faith go together, but not promise and law.
"But why then did God even give the law?" the objectors would argue; Paul gave three answers:
(1) The law was temporary, for the Jews only (3:19-20). Rom. 2:14 and Acts 15:24 make it clear that God never gave the law to the Gentiles. The moral law was already written in the hearts of the Gentiles.
(2) The law convicted of sin and never saved (21-22). If there was a law that saved sinners, then God would have spared His Son and used that means of salvation; there was none. The law is not against God's promises; as it reveals sin, it forces the sinner to trust God's promises!
(3) The law prepared the way for Christ (23-29). "Before the faith we now know came, the law shut men up, revealing their need for a Saviour." The law was God's "schoolmaster' (tutor) for the Jews in their national infancy. The law kept the Jews "in line so to speak until Christ came and the full revelation of Gospel was given to Jews and Gentiles. As L. E. Maxwell once put it: "We Were Crowded to Christ!"
"PROMISE AND FAITH GO TOGETHER"
"BUT NOT PROMISE AND LAW"
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
Friday, June 7, 2013
Thursday, June 6, 2013
The Great Mystery
Ephesians 5:32
"This is a great mystery but I speak"
"Concerning Christ and the Church"
The Great Mystery can be understood if we read verse -31 spiritually and than apply it Eternally. What do I mean? The Scriptures were wrote as they were given, in order and together; they reference each other so we must read and apply them the same way. From verse - 21-33 intrusts us on God's view of Husband and wife and the conduct toward each other; the Scriptures also comp[ares the marriage bond to Christ and the Church. The Principal of headship is what regulates the home. "As unto Christ" is the motive, for man and wife to submit to each other. The same goes for the entire running of the home. Let's try to unfold this mystery just a little.
The Church here is pictured as the bride of Christ. It is interesting to compare the church to the first bride of the Bible. Eve (Gen. 2: 18-25). She was taken from Adam's side, and Christ side was pierced for us on the cross. (thus the blood applied). Eve was formed while Adam was asleep, and when Christ was resting in death the Church was begun. Eve shared Adam's nature, and the Church partakes of Christ's nature verse - 30-31. Eve was the object of her mate's love and care, and Christ loves the Church and cares for her. Adam was willing to become a sinner because of his love for his wife (I Tim. 2:11-15), and Christ was made sin because of his love for the Church.
Eve was formed and brought to Adam before sin entered the human family, and the Church was in the mind and heart of God before the foundation of the World. Note: Romans 7:4 and II Corinthians 11:2 for the application of this truth of marriage to the individual believer and the local Church. It is power from within, not pressure from without, that holds Church and the Home together.
IS THE MYSTERY SOLVED? NO!
IT"S JUST OPENED UP A LITTLE!
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
"This is a great mystery but I speak"
"Concerning Christ and the Church"
The Great Mystery can be understood if we read verse -31 spiritually and than apply it Eternally. What do I mean? The Scriptures were wrote as they were given, in order and together; they reference each other so we must read and apply them the same way. From verse - 21-33 intrusts us on God's view of Husband and wife and the conduct toward each other; the Scriptures also comp[ares the marriage bond to Christ and the Church. The Principal of headship is what regulates the home. "As unto Christ" is the motive, for man and wife to submit to each other. The same goes for the entire running of the home. Let's try to unfold this mystery just a little.
The Church here is pictured as the bride of Christ. It is interesting to compare the church to the first bride of the Bible. Eve (Gen. 2: 18-25). She was taken from Adam's side, and Christ side was pierced for us on the cross. (thus the blood applied). Eve was formed while Adam was asleep, and when Christ was resting in death the Church was begun. Eve shared Adam's nature, and the Church partakes of Christ's nature verse - 30-31. Eve was the object of her mate's love and care, and Christ loves the Church and cares for her. Adam was willing to become a sinner because of his love for his wife (I Tim. 2:11-15), and Christ was made sin because of his love for the Church.
Eve was formed and brought to Adam before sin entered the human family, and the Church was in the mind and heart of God before the foundation of the World. Note: Romans 7:4 and II Corinthians 11:2 for the application of this truth of marriage to the individual believer and the local Church. It is power from within, not pressure from without, that holds Church and the Home together.
IS THE MYSTERY SOLVED? NO!
IT"S JUST OPENED UP A LITTLE!
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
At A Distance
Ephesians 2:12
"That at the time ye were without Christ being"
"Aliens from the common wealth of Israel and"
"Strangers from the covenants of promise"
"Having no hope and without God in"
"The World"
Some people read this verse and say; If they did not have God or no hope what did they have? Well not to worry because God always makes a distinction between Jews and Gentiles racially, but not individually (1 Cor 10:32). The Gentiles were without Christ, that is, they had no promise of a Messiah. Why? Because they were not a part of the nation of Israel; in fact the OT laws put a wide gape of understanding between Jews and Gentiles. Instead of being 'the people of God," they were aliens. They were strangers, without hope and without the true God in the world.
Did they know God? Yes! Did they have access to Christ as the Jews? No! Contrast this sad plight with the privileged position of Israel in Rom. 9:4-5. Ephesians 2:13 sums it up in two words: "far off." While the problem of sinners in general (verse 1-10) was death, the problem of the Gentiles in particular was distance. Note in the Gospels that when ever Christ helped a Gentile, He did it at a distance (Mt. 8:5-13, 15:22-28). So yes Gentiles had access to Christ at a distance. They would seek out Christ for healing and to show there faith. Christ Said: "I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel."
Even though Christ died on the cross for the sins of the world, We as sinners must go to Christ and in faith accept Him into our heart as our Savior. Love one another as Christ loved us.
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
"That at the time ye were without Christ being"
"Aliens from the common wealth of Israel and"
"Strangers from the covenants of promise"
"Having no hope and without God in"
"The World"
Some people read this verse and say; If they did not have God or no hope what did they have? Well not to worry because God always makes a distinction between Jews and Gentiles racially, but not individually (1 Cor 10:32). The Gentiles were without Christ, that is, they had no promise of a Messiah. Why? Because they were not a part of the nation of Israel; in fact the OT laws put a wide gape of understanding between Jews and Gentiles. Instead of being 'the people of God," they were aliens. They were strangers, without hope and without the true God in the world.
Did they know God? Yes! Did they have access to Christ as the Jews? No! Contrast this sad plight with the privileged position of Israel in Rom. 9:4-5. Ephesians 2:13 sums it up in two words: "far off." While the problem of sinners in general (verse 1-10) was death, the problem of the Gentiles in particular was distance. Note in the Gospels that when ever Christ helped a Gentile, He did it at a distance (Mt. 8:5-13, 15:22-28). So yes Gentiles had access to Christ at a distance. They would seek out Christ for healing and to show there faith. Christ Said: "I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel."
Even though Christ died on the cross for the sins of the world, We as sinners must go to Christ and in faith accept Him into our heart as our Savior. Love one another as Christ loved us.
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Grace Is His Glory
Ephesians 1:7
"In whom we have redemption through his blood"
"The forgiveness of sins, according to"
"The riches of his grace"
In whom---who is the whom? "The Beloved" we have as a present possession "redemption" the redemption which is the grand subject of all revelation, and especially throughout the New Testament. If a man were unable to redeem himself from being a bond servant, his kinsmen might redeem him (Lev 25:48). Therefore; the Son of God became the Son of man, so as our kinsman he might redeem us (Mt 20:28). Then after the first "redemption" another "redemption " follows; that being the purchased possession. The instrument being Christ Blood, because of the love for us, He who was not guilty paid the divine justice for our sins.
This "redemption" includes not only deliverance from sin's penalty, but from it's pollution and enslaving power; and the reconciliation of an offended God, and a satisfaction unto a just God. It was rich grace to provide such a surety as His own Son, and freely to deliver him up. This method of grace gives no encouragement to evil, but shows sin in all it's hatefulness and how it deserves vengeance. Our actions, as well as our words, declare the praises of Divine mercy. His grace is His glory!
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
"In whom we have redemption through his blood"
"The forgiveness of sins, according to"
"The riches of his grace"
In whom---who is the whom? "The Beloved" we have as a present possession "redemption" the redemption which is the grand subject of all revelation, and especially throughout the New Testament. If a man were unable to redeem himself from being a bond servant, his kinsmen might redeem him (Lev 25:48). Therefore; the Son of God became the Son of man, so as our kinsman he might redeem us (Mt 20:28). Then after the first "redemption" another "redemption " follows; that being the purchased possession. The instrument being Christ Blood, because of the love for us, He who was not guilty paid the divine justice for our sins.
This "redemption" includes not only deliverance from sin's penalty, but from it's pollution and enslaving power; and the reconciliation of an offended God, and a satisfaction unto a just God. It was rich grace to provide such a surety as His own Son, and freely to deliver him up. This method of grace gives no encouragement to evil, but shows sin in all it's hatefulness and how it deserves vengeance. Our actions, as well as our words, declare the praises of Divine mercy. His grace is His glory!
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
Monday, June 3, 2013
The Law Of Liberty
James 2:12
"So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall"
"Be judged by the law of liberty"
The Law of Liberty; now what law is this? For the believer it is the law of love. Leviticus 19:18 "thou shalt not avenge nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am the Lord. This "Law of Love" is so important to God; in Matthew 22:35-40, when Christ was ask by a lawyer while being tempting by him; which is the great commandant in the law? Christ answerd this; "thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandent. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Mathew 22: 37-40).
It is a sin to show respect of persons; and to break one commandment is to be guilty of the whole law! The same God gave all commandments, and all must be obeyed and practiced. Of course I am not putting the Christian back under the Mosaic law; I am referring to the moral law which still abides under the New Covenant. We are to act and speak as those who will be judged, not by the law of Moses, but by the more severe "Law Of Liberty" the law of love written in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
"So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall"
"Be judged by the law of liberty"
The Law of Liberty; now what law is this? For the believer it is the law of love. Leviticus 19:18 "thou shalt not avenge nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am the Lord. This "Law of Love" is so important to God; in Matthew 22:35-40, when Christ was ask by a lawyer while being tempting by him; which is the great commandant in the law? Christ answerd this; "thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandent. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Mathew 22: 37-40).
It is a sin to show respect of persons; and to break one commandment is to be guilty of the whole law! The same God gave all commandments, and all must be obeyed and practiced. Of course I am not putting the Christian back under the Mosaic law; I am referring to the moral law which still abides under the New Covenant. We are to act and speak as those who will be judged, not by the law of Moses, but by the more severe "Law Of Liberty" the law of love written in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
Sunday, June 2, 2013
True Religion
James 1:27
"Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this"
"To visit the fatherless and widows in there affliction and"
"To keep himself unspotted from the world"
James has pictured the private life of the believer, he looks into the Word; describe his public life, and his practice of the Word. The word "religious" means "the outward practice of religion." The Bible nowhere calls the Christian faith "a religion;" it is a miracle, a new birth, a divine life. "If any man imagines himself to be religious," says James, "then let him prove it by the life he lives."
What are the characteristics of pure religion? They are: self-control - a bridled tongue, love for others; and a clean life. The word "visit" in (v27) means "care for;" it suggest sacrificial care for those who are in need. True religion is not a matter of forms and ceremonies; it is a matter of controlled tongue, sacrificial service, and a clean life. So here is how I see it. "Believing in Jesus Christ and accepting Him into you heart by faith" and believing in "The Living God" that is True Christian Faith! Your religion is how you act before God and how you conduct you self in this world.
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
"Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this"
"To visit the fatherless and widows in there affliction and"
"To keep himself unspotted from the world"
James has pictured the private life of the believer, he looks into the Word; describe his public life, and his practice of the Word. The word "religious" means "the outward practice of religion." The Bible nowhere calls the Christian faith "a religion;" it is a miracle, a new birth, a divine life. "If any man imagines himself to be religious," says James, "then let him prove it by the life he lives."
What are the characteristics of pure religion? They are: self-control - a bridled tongue, love for others; and a clean life. The word "visit" in (v27) means "care for;" it suggest sacrificial care for those who are in need. True religion is not a matter of forms and ceremonies; it is a matter of controlled tongue, sacrificial service, and a clean life. So here is how I see it. "Believing in Jesus Christ and accepting Him into you heart by faith" and believing in "The Living God" that is True Christian Faith! Your religion is how you act before God and how you conduct you self in this world.
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
Saturday, June 1, 2013
The Plain Path
Psalms 27:11
"Teach me the way, O Lord"
"And lead me in a plain path"
This prayer is a great teachable of the spirit, and shows a cheerful obedience of heart. "Lead me in a plain path." Help is sought here as well as direction; we not only need a map of the way, but a guide to lead us in the journey.Christians seldom succeed in fine speculations and doubtful courses, plain simplicity is the best spirit for a heir of heaven. Esau was a cunning hunter, Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents because his fear of enemies. If we don't watch for enemies they will catch us off guard. Simple honesty is safe from the enemies rage. It is wonderful to observe how honest simplicity baffles and out wits the craftiness of wickedness. Truth is wisdom.
Christians, if you dwell in open tents of licentiousness, the wicked will not walk away from you, they will walk toward you and curse you and try to shame you. Then they will make use of your weakness as a plea for their wickedness. Men are merciless in their censures of Christians; they have no sympathy for their infirmity; while God weighs them in more equal scales, and says, "The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." While a saint is above in the eyes of God, he is only a raven in the estimation of sinners. (William Secker).
"YOUR PATH WAY IS PLAIN"--- "WILL YOU FOLLOW IT"
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
"Teach me the way, O Lord"
"And lead me in a plain path"
This prayer is a great teachable of the spirit, and shows a cheerful obedience of heart. "Lead me in a plain path." Help is sought here as well as direction; we not only need a map of the way, but a guide to lead us in the journey.Christians seldom succeed in fine speculations and doubtful courses, plain simplicity is the best spirit for a heir of heaven. Esau was a cunning hunter, Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents because his fear of enemies. If we don't watch for enemies they will catch us off guard. Simple honesty is safe from the enemies rage. It is wonderful to observe how honest simplicity baffles and out wits the craftiness of wickedness. Truth is wisdom.
Christians, if you dwell in open tents of licentiousness, the wicked will not walk away from you, they will walk toward you and curse you and try to shame you. Then they will make use of your weakness as a plea for their wickedness. Men are merciless in their censures of Christians; they have no sympathy for their infirmity; while God weighs them in more equal scales, and says, "The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." While a saint is above in the eyes of God, he is only a raven in the estimation of sinners. (William Secker).
"YOUR PATH WAY IS PLAIN"--- "WILL YOU FOLLOW IT"
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
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