The Glory of God

[Sean James]

How is your faith? Do you put conditions on whether you will fully believe God?

The nobleman wanted to see the fulfillment of his prayer before he should believe; but he had to accept the word of Jesus that his request was heard and the blessing granted. This lesson we also have to learn. Not because we see or feel that God hears us are we to believe. We are to trust in His promises. When we come to Him in faith, every petition enters the heart of God. When we have asked for His blessing, we should believe that we receive it, and thank Him that we have received it. Then we are to go about our duties, assured that the blessing will be realized when we need it most. When we have learned to do this, we shall know that our prayers are answered. God will do for us “exceeding abundantly,” “according to the riches of His glory,” and “the working of His mighty power.” Ephesians 3:20, 16; 1:19.

When we truly have "the faith of Jesus" our lives will be brought into harmony with "the commandments of God" (Revelation 14:12), for His faith sustained Him to trust His Father even through the agony of Gethsemane and Calvary. Christ offers us salvation--and we need to realize that He hears our prayers, trusting Him to answer in the way He knows what is best for us. When we have unconditional faith by surrendering all to Him, letting Him produce in us all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing, the witness of God through each truly converted soul will be a great blessing! 

[Sean James]

Happy Sabbath! Let us learn to keep this day holy in Christ after the example of Jesus!

Jesus stated to them that the work of relieving the afflicted was in harmony with the Sabbath law. It was in harmony with the work of God's angels, who are ever descending and ascending between heaven and earth to minister to suffering humanity. Jesus declared, “My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.” All days are God's, in which to carry out His plans for the human race. If the Jews’ interpretation of the law was correct, then Jehovah was at fault, whose work has quickened and upheld every living thing since first He laid the foundations of the earth; then He who pronounced His work good, and instituted the Sabbath to commemorate its completion, must put a period to His labor, and stop the never-ending routine of the universe.

God ceaselessly lives to bless others! Praise God for the gift of an entire day to be devoted to healthful rest, holy worship, and holy deeds of blessing others! What joy we find in true conversion that results from fully surrendering all to Jesus and letting Him abide in us by grace through faith so that all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing will be revealed in the life! True obedience is the result of constant union and communion with the God of infinite love! May the gift of time from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset, the biblical Sabbath, be the happiest day in your whole week!

[Sean James]

Let God lead.

God never leads His children otherwise than they would choose to be led, if they could see the end from the beginning, and discern the glory of the purpose which they are fulfilling as co-workers with Him. Not Enoch, who was translated to heaven, not Elijah, who ascended in a chariot of fire, was greater or more honored than John the Baptist, who perished alone in the dungeon. “Unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake.” Philippians 1:29. And of all the gifts that Heaven can bestow upon men, fellowship with Christ in His sufferings is the most weighty trust and the highest honor.

He has the best plan; when we accept God's will above our own, Christ leads us in true conversion manifest in all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing! We become obedient witnesses of His will to all in each and every trial!

[Sean James]

There are definite parallels.

As the message of Christ's first advent announced the kingdom of His grace, so the message of His second advent announces the kingdom of His glory. And the second message, like the first, is based on the prophecies. The words of the angel to Daniel relating to the last days were to be understood in the time of the end. At that time, “many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” “The wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.” Daniel 12:4, 10. The Saviour Himself has given signs of His coming, and He says, “When ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.” “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.” “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” Luke 21:31, 34, 36.

Let us live in readiness for Jesus' second coming! All of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing will be revealed in the life of one who fully surrenders to Christ in living faith and abides in His saving grace! Affectionately obedient to all of the light that God has revealed, God gives more light to those who walk in what they already have! "But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day" (Proverbs 4:18). Will you live in true readiness for Jesus' glorious second coming? He is coming VERY SOON!!

[Sean James]

Jesus is "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). But why is it that so few in this fallen world really choose to follow Him?

Truth was unpopular in Christ's day. It is unpopular in our day. It has been unpopular ever since Satan first gave man a disrelish for it by presenting fables that lead to self-exaltation. Do we not today meet theories and doctrines that have no foundation in the word of God? Men cling as tenaciously to them as did the Jews to their traditions.

Satan tempts people to seek self-exalting theories and ideas, and ever since our first parents' fall, our natures have been in such a condition that we have a tendency towards self rather than unselfish love and truth. It is important for us to realize our need, come to Christ just as we are, and let Him transform our hearts and minds with the Holy Spirit so as we choose truth (even if it rebukes us and calls us to change). Then, in such a complete surrender, all of the fruits of the Spirit will be revealed in the life, and the abiding soul is enabled to affectionately obey God's law of love to thus overcome sin by the divine grace offered in Christ!

[Sean James]

Love is like fire, and when it burns in the heart, it will ignite the lives of those touched by the constraining love of Jesus. "For our God is a consuming fire" (Hebrews 12:29).

He who loves Christ the most will do the greatest amount of good. There is no limit to the usefulness of one who, by putting self aside, makes room for the working of the Holy Spirit upon his heart, and lives a life wholly consecrated to God. If men will endure the necessary discipline, without complaining or fainting by the way, God will teach them hour by hour, and day by day. He longs to reveal His grace. If His people will remove the obstructions, He will pour forth the waters of salvation in abundant streams through the human channels. If men in humble life were encouraged to do all the good they could do, if restraining hands were not laid upon them to repress their zeal, there would be a hundred workers for Christ where now there is one.

Christ longs to impart His very life, character and experience to us. As we surrender unreservedly to Him, all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing will flow in and through our lives to glorify Him in true obedience to all of His commandments! Then the missionary spirit of Christ will move us forward in faith that works by love to win souls who need healing from sin, so they, too, can be ignited with the holy fire of God's unselfish love!

[Sean James]

"It is written" (Matthew 4:4). We can always safely rely on the word of God, and that is why Jesus, the Word, taught the Scriptures as of unquestionable authority and called all to make it the rule of life, surrendering the will to the sovereignty of unselfish love whereby the life is transformed by His converting, redeeming grace. A living faith union and communion with Christ brings love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance in all righteousness, goodness and truth into the life without one missing because the abiding power in the soul is "Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Colossians 1:27).

Jesus met the people on their own ground, as one who was acquainted with their perplexities. He made truth beautiful by presenting it in the most direct and simple way. His language was pure, refined, and clear as a running stream. His voice was as music to those who had listened to the monotonous tones of the rabbis. But while His teaching was simple, He spoke as one having authority. This characteristic set His teaching in contrast with that of all others. The rabbis spoke with doubt and hesitancy, as if the Scriptures might be interpreted to mean one thing or exactly the opposite. The hearers were daily involved in greater uncertainty. But Jesus taught the Scriptures as of unquestionable authority. Whatever His subject, it was presented with power, as if His words could not be controverted.

We would do well to follow the Example of Jesus in how we share His word. Uplift the Bible as the rule of faith and practice, bring its words of life into the daily experience, and souls will be blessed and refreshed to have new life and power from above--the power of God's love in the soul!

[Sean James]

He can do it. Let Him. Believe Him. Behold Him. Surrender fully to Him. Abide in Him. Let Jesus FULLY cleanse you from every stain of sin!

The work of Christ in cleansing the leper from his terrible disease is an illustration of His work in cleansing the soul from sin. The man who came to Jesus was “full of leprosy.” Its deadly poison permeated his whole body. The disciples sought to prevent their Master from touching him; for he who touched a leper became himself unclean. But in laying His hand upon the leper, Jesus received no defilement. His touch imparted life-giving power. The leprosy was cleansed. Thus it is with the leprosy of sin,—deep-rooted, deadly, and impossible to be cleansed by human power. “The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrefying sores.” Isaiah 1:5, 6. But Jesus, coming to dwell in humanity, receives no pollution. His presence has healing virtue for the sinner. Whoever will fall at His feet, saying in faith, “Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean,” shall hear the answer, “I will; be thou made clean.” Matthew 8:2, 3, R. V.

All of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing will be revealed in the life that is abiding in Jesus. No matter how weak or sinful we may be, Christ offers us the cleansing and healing that we need to become like Him in mind and character so we can not only affectionately obey God's law of love, but we can go forth to bless others who need encouraging words, holy deeds, and godly examples of genuine Christianity!

[Sean James]

Happy Sabbath! Let us allow Jesus to empty us of self so we can partake of His character--all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing in harmony with the law of God!

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.” Psalm 51:17. Man must be emptied of self before he can be, in the fullest sense, a believer in Jesus. When self is renounced, then the Lord can make man a new creature. New bottles can contain the new wine. The love of Christ will animate the believer with new life. In him who looks unto the Author and Finisher of our faith the character of Christ will be manifest.

Christ will safely guide each one in the path that is best! What an adventure life becomes with Jesus!

[Sean James]

Truth needs to be placed in the right framework. Jesus did that, and He invites us to do that, too!

The Saviour had not come to set aside what patriarchs and prophets had spoken; for He Himself had spoken through these representative men. All the truths of God's word came from Him. But these priceless gems had been placed in false settings. Their precious light had been made to minister to error. God desired them to be removed from their settings of error and replaced in the framework of truth. This work only a divine hand could accomplish. By its connection with error, the truth had been serving the cause of the enemy of God and man. Christ had come to place it where it would glorify God, and work the salvation of humanity.

As we receive the truth as it is in Jesus, all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing will burst forth from the thoroughly converted life in rich profusion, taking away all wretched, miserable, poor, blind nakedness that is caused by sin and self-deception! Praise God for the goodness He lavishes upon us to woo us to heaven and lead us in the most blessed experience possible! Christ in the life--this is the power of the gospel for all who surrender unreservedly to Him and walk in true obedience to all of His commandments! Christ's ministry to restore the true purpose of the Sabbath and keep it according to God's law shows us the blessedness that comes from fulfilling the Father's will!

[Sean James]

Praise God for His willingness to use us!

God takes men as they are, with the human elements in their character, and trains them for His service, if they will be disciplined and learn of Him. They are not chosen because they are perfect, but notwithstanding their imperfections, that through the knowledge and practice of the truth, through the grace of Christ, they may become transformed into His image.

Jesus can transform us into His image as we behold His infinite loveliness! All of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing will be revealed in the life and character of all who are truly converted, surrendered fully, and growing in His grace to seek and save souls!

[Sean James]

Where is the great battle of life really fought and won? It is a THOUGHT WAR! And thankfully, Jesus offers us His thoughts, His mind, and His victory over all the deceptive, evil thoughts that come from Satan and what the devil has corrupted through lust--the world and the flesh. Let us yield our WHOLE HEART to Christ and abide in His word, for His word is more powerful than Satan's temptations to think ungodly thoughts. Tempted? Welcome to being human! But being tempted is not a sin--it is what you DO WITH THE THOUGHT that matters. If it contradicts the word of God, resist it as proceeding from Satan, and do not cherish it as your own thought. Choose holy, godly thoughts by filling your mind with the word of God, beholding the loveliness of Jesus, and by beholding, you will become changed! That is why it would be well to spend a thoughtful hour upon the life of Christ, especially the closing scenes of His great sacrifice for us! For when we do behold Christ, our souls will be more deeply filled with all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing as we surrender unreservedly to God! Let's walk in the thought life of victory that leads to holy motives, deeds and emotions that flow from union and communion with Christ through His living, enduring word!

The merciful shall find mercy, and the pure in heart shall see God. Every impure thought defiles the soul, impairs the moral sense, and tends to obliterate the impressions of the Holy Spirit. It dims the spiritual vision, so that men cannot behold God. The Lord may and does forgive the repenting sinner; but though forgiven, the soul is marred. All impurity of speech or of thought must be shunned by him who would have clear discernment of spiritual truth.

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5). Will you let Christ give you His mind? He yearns to give you His experience of victory over Satan--CONSTANTLY!!

[Sean James]

Are you worthy? In the way the Jewish leaders approach Jesus, in contrast to the self-distrust manifested by the Centurion, we learn a valuable lesson about the nature of how we can approach God for help. (He is not asking for you to bring a resume--but just admit you need His help!)

The Jewish elders who recommended the centurion to Christ had shown how far they were from possessing the spirit of the gospel. They did not recognize that our great need is our only claim on God's mercy. In their self-righteousness they commended the centurion because of the favor he had shown to “our nation.” But the centurion said of himself, “I am not worthy.” His heart had been touched by the grace of Christ. He saw his own unworthiness; yet he feared not to ask help. He trusted not to his own goodness; his argument was his great need. His faith took hold upon Christ in His true character. He did not believe in Him merely as a worker of miracles, but as the friend and Saviour of mankind.

Christ is a friend and Saviour, inviting all to come to Him just as they are, sinful and unworthy. His divine grace has power to transform the rebellious heart of unbelief that is fully surrendered to Him into a new heart filled with all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing, empowering affectionate obedience to all of God's commandments! The converted soul is made worthy through the merits of Christ in such a humble way that the glory goes to God--not self.

[Sean James]

Jesus is very near!

All who would receive Christ by faith were united to Him by a tie closer than that of human kinship. They would become one with Him, as He was one with the Father. As a believer and doer of His words, His mother was more nearly and savingly related to Him than through her natural relationship. His brothers would receive no benefit from their connection with Him unless they accepted Him as their personal Saviour.

As we surrender unreservedly to Jesus by opening the heart to His presence through the word of God, the Holy Spirit imbues us with the divine nature, so that every one of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) will be manifest in the abiding, converted life!  Then affectionate obedience is the fruit of a life that is happy in the divine relation of our heavenly Father leading us, our Savior delivering us from sin and the Holy Spirit, keeping us in the path of righteousness!

[Sean James]

Praise God for what Jesus gives as we come to Him in faith!

"Learn of Me,” says Jesus; “for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest.” We are to enter the school of Christ, to learn from Him meekness and lowliness. Redemption is that process by which the soul is trained for heaven. This training means a knowledge of Christ. It means emancipation from ideas, habits, and practices that have been gained in the school of the prince of darkness. The soul must be delivered from all that is opposed to loyalty to God.

When Jesus sets us free from sin as we surrender completely to Him, all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing will be revealed in the life, for Christ living in us makes it possible to live in obedience to His law of love!