September 2025 is now posted.
We will be posting the Glorious Gospel articles individually below. A PDF file (large print) can be downloaded under the Archives tab and printed if desired, as well as past editions.
Monday, September 1, 2025
Do you know God?
Gordon Crook, PastorGrace Assembly, Wichita, Kansas
“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” 1 John 4:7-8.
There are different thoughts in scripture about “knowing” God. There are those that know about God. Even the demons know about God and fear Him. (James 2:19). There are those that know God in a more personal way, and there are those that have a much deeper and intimate knowledge of God.
When John speaks about knowing God in this passage, he is speaking about those that truly know God in a deeper and more intimate way. He is helping to understand how to know if we truly know God or just have a superficial knowledge of who He is.
Many Christians today tend to want to mold God into their opinion of what He should be. The try to create God in their image instead of letting God change them into His image. This always results in a god that is not God. We must come to realize that we are in need of change that only God can do. And He wants to do exactly that.
It is amazing that God has given us His Word to ensure that we can know what He wants to do, and what that change looks like. The statement in our passage is very simple and very clear; “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” This means that the main change that God is making in us is to love one another.
The phrase “loveth not” means to “keep on not loving.” It indicates an attitude that continually fails to show love to others. This is very simply the attitude of our old nature. This is why we need the new creation life of Christ in order to show love on a regular basis. The old creation is not capable of showing the love that Jesus teaches us.
Jesus makes this idea a central part of His teaching during His earthly ministry. “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:43-48.
So, those that “know” God need to know that He is love. It is an attribute of God, not just something He does. When Jesus says to “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect,” He is talking about being complete or mature as a child of God. This is exactly what God is working in our lives if we will yield to Him.
Both Jesus and Paul remind us the same thing. Love is the basis of the law. “For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if [there be] any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” Romans 13:9. “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. 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.” Matthew 22:37-40.
When I was reading 1 John 4:8, it struck me as being very serious. It made me think about how I know God. It can be easy to say that we know God and even prove our knowledge of scripture. However, it becomes clear that God is less concerned with our head knowledge of scripture and more interested in what we are allowing Him to do in our life. This is how we can be “perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”
It feels to me like I’m seeing a lot of lack of love from many who call themselves Christian. I know that anyone can call themselves Christian. And not all who use that moniker are truly Christian, but it makes me think about my own life. What do others see from my life? I cannot change other people, and it is not my place to pass judgment on them. I can and do try to understand what attitudes I see in others, and I realize that I want others to see from my life, attitudes that reflect the life of Christ in me.
We have to be very careful about allowing the world (even the “Christian” world) to form our understanding of God, and forming our attitudes. We should really want to know God. Not a superficial head knowledge or a knowledge that is just something we have heard from someone, but a true knowledge that comes from a personal intimate relationship with Him.
As you become closer and closer to God, you will find yourself loving others like He does. For God so loved the world. Who should I love? All who make up the world of humans. We do not get a pass on certain people that we do not like. Read the parable of the good Samaritan in Luke 10: 25-37. We do not want to be like the religious man in that passage who attempted to justify himself by pretending he did not know who he was to love.
It is truly not normal for you and I to love others, especially those unloveable people, because our old nature is not capable of that. However, it is Christ in you the hope of glory. God is wanting to change us, right now, into His glory (2 Corinthians 3:18). The only thing stopping that is us, because we like how we are, and we do not want to be different from the world. Do you know God? Are you diligently getting to know Him? Every day?
Standing Against Satan
Vicky MootsKingman, Kansas
Eph. 6:11: “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
Verses 14-15: “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.”
Paul tells us in these verses that the purpose of wearing our spiritual armor is so that we will be able to stand against Satan. He makes it clear that we need the whole armor to do this, but in V. 15, he emphasizes the importance of wearing proper footwear. No barefoot warriors or flip-flops are allowed in this army!
Why? What is so important about our feet in our battle against Satan? I’m going to answer that question by discussing the importance of feet in the physical body and how they are constructed. Did you know that approximately ¼ of the 206 bones in our bodies are required to enable us to stand?
The foot is actually one of the most complex parts of the human body, because feet must bear the weight of the whole body. They are not simply rigid structures, but are flexible. They are composed of 26 bones each, totaling 52 bones. These bones are connected by joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles and soft tissue. The feet also contain nerves to enable us to balance and to stand upright, as well as to perform activities such as walking, running, and jumping.
Each foot is divided into three sections (a trinity): the forefoot, midfoot, and hindfoot. The forefoot includes the toes (phalanges) and the longbones (metatarsals). There are five toes and five metatarsals on each foot. Five is the number of grace in the Scripture. The hindfoot consists of the ankle and the heelbone (calcaneus).
The midfoot portion of each foot has a collection of five bones (again, the number of grace), which form an arch. An arch is considered to be one of the strongest structures in architecture. These five bones include three cuneiform bones (another trinity) plus the cubiform and the navicular bone.
Spiritually, this demonstrates to us that it is by God’s grace that we are able to stand, as Paul tells us in Rom. 5:2: “By whom [Jesus] also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand…” We stand in the grace of God, not our own merit.
The ankle joint is formed from three bones (also a trinity): the talus, tibia and fibula. That makes a total of three trinities in each foot. The number three not only represents the Trinity, but it also speaks of resurrection, since Jesus was raised on the third day. Our ability to stand spiritually is, therefore, not only because of God’s grace, but also through the power of the resurrection, which enables us to walk in newness of life.
It is important that we keep our feet healthy if we want to be able to stand very long without pain. Feet can become diseased or deformed by wearing improperly fitting or non-supportive footwear. Shoes that are too tight, have pointed toes, high heels or that don’t support the arch will eventually result in such things as bunions, calluses, corns, hammertoes, plantar fasciitis or even foot ulcers. These things are not only painful and affect mobility, but can also become dangerous to our health.
In II Chron. 16:12-13, we read that King Asa became “exceedingly diseased” in his feet and died. In V. 12, it states that he died because he failed to speak to the Lord and had only sought the physicians for help. Spiritually speaking, we can become diseased in our feet (affecting our Christian walk and our ability to stand against Satan) if our spiritual feet are not properly shod and protected, or if we fail to seek the Lord for help.
All soldiers need combat boots to protect and support their feet. The footwear of the Roman soldier had a much different appearance than that of soldiers today, but it served the same purpose. Proper footwear is equally important to us spiritually, and so we must be sure to protect our spiritual feet as soldiers in God’s army.
The shoes which we have been provided and commanded to wear, have been designed to be sturdy, supportive and long lasting. They are guaranteed to fit properly, unless altered from their original design. The long-lasting material from which these shoes have been fashioned is not man-made. It has been imported from heaven. It is the “gospel of peace.” Therefore, it is eternal and will never wear out or grow old.
Col. 1:21 tells us that before we accept Christ as Savior, sin separates us from God and makes us His enemies. But the good news (the gospel) is that Jesus died to make peace and to bring us to God: “…having made peace through the blood of his cross…” (V. 20). This is the gospel of peace.
Paul then tells us in Rom. 5:1-2 how to put on these gospel of peace shoes: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” We must put them on by faith. Faith is the shoehorn we use to put on our shoes.
The “gospel of peace” shoes are the right size for each one of us. We cannot add anything to the gospel (such as our own works or ideas), or take anything away from it, or the shoes will not fit, and we will be unable to stand. Jesus is the only way to salvation and peace with God.
That name, Jesus, was what made the lame man in Acts 3:6-7 whole and able to stand: “Then Peter said…In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.” It is the same name whereby our feet and ankles have the strength to stand against Satan.
In conclusion, let us look at the Greek meanings of the words “preparation” and “peace” in Eph. 6:15. “Preparation” means “firm standing” or “foundation.” The word “peace” means “that which has been bound together.” Therefore, with our feet properly shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, we can stand firmly on the foundation, by faith, knowing that we have been made one with Christ, bound together with Him. Nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus!
So, having done all, let us stand!
HERE AM I
(Samuel)
A young boy slept,
his heart sincere.
His soul was willing
to listen and hear.
The Word of God
was precious then.
God was not speaking
to the hearts of men.
God saw that child,
and knew his heart.
He called his name,
and set him apart.
The young boy heard,
cried, “Here am I,”
And eagerly ran
to the priest, Eli.
Three times God called
each time he heard.
His heart excited,
his soul was stirred.
He had to learn
to know God’s voice.
And when he did,
he made his choice.
The Lord then come;
He called and stood.
And Samuel answered,
as God knew he would.
Debbie Isenbletter
Springfield, Missouri
(I Samuel 3:1-10)
Considerations
Jack Davis
CONSIDER YOURSELVES
Gal. 6:1-10, “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted…for if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself…For every man shall bear his own burden. Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting…let us not be weary in well doing: in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
Scriptural restoration is on the basis of repentance – II Cor. 7:9-11. Repentance involves changes in attitude of heart and direction. Whether wrong conduct, in life style, or wrong teaching, the scripture provides for both. There is cleansing available for all – II Cor. 7:1. This involves more than setting one back on the right track, that has been caught in wrong doing. Whatever we do or don’t do must be by faith in the rightly divided Word of truth, and guidance of the Holy Spirit, having earnestly sought the heart of God in prayer.
God has provided that we not be ignorant of Satan’s devices. With an unforgiving attitude of self-righteousness and self sufficiency we could give our adversary an advantage. Therefore we well consider our own capacity for failure. It is spiritual for us to not be self-centered, self occupied, or self deceived – Gal. 6:3,7; Rom. 12:3. We each have need of rebuke, and of restoration. There are times when we need correction and find it is indeed a comfort, a most valuable bridge. The Lord makes us aware of a lack of our own steadfastness, so that we will thoroughly cast ourselves completely upon Him. By growing in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ there is an overcoming of being unlearned, and unstable -II Pet. 3:17-18. The Spiritual are capable of being tempted, it is allowed that the Spiritual may overcome the temptations – I Cor. 10:13.
We need to be aware that the spirit of meekness is needed in both those that restore and the one to be restored. The Scripture does not teach us to be lax on our own, accusing or excusing one another. Spirituality shown no sympathy on the flesh, especially our own. We owe the flesh nothing – Rom. 8:4-13. It must be judged – II Cor. 10:3-6; I Cor. 11:30-33; Mt. 7:3-5.
There are those born of the Spirit that live after the flesh. Those sowing to the flesh shall reap corruption, for they are failing to appropriate God’s grace. To each of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ – Eph. 4:7. There seems to be a taking of God’s grace in vain in differing measures – II Cor. 6:1-2. There is an insincerity that puts God’s grace to little personal and very little practical use, not taking to heart what grace teaches us – Titus 2:11-14. There are those who are building their lives with wood hay and stubble, that defile many. Their works will be burned, rewards lost, yet they shall be saved as by fire – I Cor. 3:15. They won’t receive a full reward, but enter into eternity comparatively empty handed, without a full inheritance. These are often cut off before their time, die prematurely before they have grown up fully in the Lord. Our brother Paul’s departing admonishions to the Ephesian elders was to take heed into themselves and to all the flock – Acts 20:28-32.
CONSIDER ONE ANOTHER
Heb. 10:21-25 “And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering…and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
“LET US” Times Three: Since Jesus, our faithful and merciful high priest has opened up a way into the presence of God for us, we also are encouraged to draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, and with a living hope – Heb. 7:19. It is our sweet privilege to thankfully apply or avail to the washing of water by the Word. The truth of God’s Word should have the effect of drawing us together. As we are drawn unto our Lord, we also are drawn to the Christ life in each other.
Paul encourages us to “let,” submitting to that powerful magnetic life within. We also are told to hold fast the testimony, or confession of our faith because of the faithfulness of Him who has promised, and is certainly coming again, and it should be very soon – Heb. 10:36-37. Forsaking assembling of ourselves together is not considering one another, but is usually pampering our own flesh.
Most of us have thought at one time or other, “if it wasn’t for people I could be an overcomer.” Habitual absence for gathering with God’s people is skipping the opportunity to provoke or spiritually stimulate unto love and good works. Its effects are generally discouraging. If we are truly able to see the day approaching, our sharpened vision being shared should be used to stir faith, hope and love in others to be ready for Jesus’ return. “Forsaking the assembling” is not an attitude of consideration of others but rather a laying aside of the privilege to increase being beneficial to the Lord’s body. Let us do it “so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” I am so glad we are able to see or foresee by faith, the day of our Lord’s return! Be ready, it could happen any moment! He has provided that we speak to each other unto comfort, edification, and exhortation. Assembling together we are to speak to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Assembling together we are to make melody from our hearts unto the Lord. We need each other’s mutual overcoming. An interesting and amazing aspect of being victorious is our striving together in interest of the faith of the Gospel – Phil. 1:27. “Standing fast in one Spirit.”
We can be encouraging examples to each other of faith, purity, peace, patience and progress. We need each other’s prayers, whereby we bear one another’s burdens. Thus we may be better able to bear our own, fulfilling our bodily responsibility, with Jesus in focus – Rom. 12:5-21; 14:7-9; 15:1-7.
CONSIDER JESUS
Heb. 12:1-4, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.”
While being surrounded by so great a crowd of faith’s victors (Heb. 11), we are encouraged to go on in God’s will for our lives in spiritual progress. We are to run our race with patience, casting aside all encumbering hindrances. Our adversary would like to get us so focused on, and even occupied with other’s failures and what we should do about them that we become weary in well doing – II Thess. 3:13-15. Lord enable us to take heart, encourage our selves in the Lord when others are letting down. It is so very important that we keep looking unto Jesus, considering Him. He must be the single object of spiritual focus. The gathering center, our meeting place, our Savior, our Lord, Light and Life, who has captured our hearts with His love.
When we consider all He went through to make us holy, unblameable, in His sight. How can we help but look to Him to bring it about? His terrible suffering on the cross for our sakes should bring forth a cry, “Have thine own way Lord.”
Peter seems to point to Jesus as the standard of sacrificial suffering, “Arm yourselves with the same mind.” Consider Him as the standard of full overcoming. Jn. 16:33, “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Rev. 3:21, “Even as I overcame and am set down with my Father in His throne.” We do well to consider Him as an example of caring, compassion. He gave His all to deliver us from every hurt and hindrance, although we were entirely ugly, undeserving, absolutely bankrupt. Let us not live carelessly. Real joy is ours, when the reverse order is in effect – Jesus – Others – You.
What About The Law ?
Earlene Davis
The Law is the subject of Romans chapter 7. Many believers go to extremes about the Law. Some argue that since we are saved by grace, we are free to live as we please. While others argue, We are saved by grace, but must live under Law to please God. Both are not according to the Word of God. Apostle Paul answered the first group in Chapter 6, which we covered in the last issue.
Paul answers the second group in this chapter. The belief that we can become holy and please God by obeying laws is legalism (measuring spirituality by a list of do’s and don’ts). The problem is seeing sins (plural), but not sin the root of the trouble (judging the outward and not the inward). Many believers don’t understand Law or grace.
Through the years I have observed both extremes and the sad consequences. Some who have tried so hard to live holy by their self-efforts succeed for awhile, but then fail causing them to be pretenders or they give up trying and become worldly. Legalists are extremely hard on others, critical and unforgiving. If the truth of Romans Chapter 7 is understood and applied, it will deliver the believer from legalism. This chapter continues the subject that began in chapter 6:15, “What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.”
Paul uses the illustration of a husband and wife to show the believers new relationship to the Law because of our union with Jesus Christ, Vs. 1-6. When a man and woman marry, they are united for life in a physical union (Gen. 2:24, “the two shall be one flesh.”) It can only be broken by a physical cause, like death. Mt. 5 & 19 indicate unfaithfulness also breaks the marriage bond. But Paul is not teaching marriage and divorce here. He is simply using marriage to illustrate a point. As long as they live, the husband and wife are under the authority of the law of marriage. But if the husband dies, she is free from the authority of the law, the husband’s death broke the marriage relationship.
Two facts explain the believer’s relationship to the Law. The believer has become dead to the Law by the body of Christ (V. 4). Before we were saved, we were under the authority of God’s Law and condemned by it. When we trusted Christ and were united to Him, we died to the Law, just as we died to the flesh (Ch. 6). The Law did not die, we died. When we trusted Christ, we died to the Law, but in Christ, we arose from the dead and are now married, united to Christ to live a new kind of life.
The Law still rules over men, but it no longer has dominion over us. We are not lawless for we share Christ’s life, walking in newness of life (Rom. 8:4, “That the righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit”). In the old life we brought forth fruit unto death, but in the new life of grace, we bring forth fruit unto God. Now the motivation of our life does not come from the Law, but from God’s grace.
The second fact (V. 6, “But now we are delivered from the Law.” The Law cannot exercise authority over a dead person. God’s commandment were written on stones, but under grace, God’s Word is written in our hearts (II Cor. 3:3).
We are told the ministry of the Law in Vs. 7-13. Paul said, “I had not known sin, but by the Law.” It shows how dirty the old nature is. Paul uses coveting, an inward attitude, not outward actions. Covetousness leads to the breaking of the other commandments. The sin of coveting, seems never recognized by people in their own lives, but God’s Law reveals it. Vs. 8-9 tell how the Law arouses the sinful nature. It wrought in him all manner of concupiscence or evil desires, the commandment came, sin revived and I died. Our old human nature wants to rebel when a Law is given. Rom. 8:7, “The carnal mind is enmity against God. It is not subject to the Law of God neither indeed can be.”
The church in Galatia were very legal and they experienced all kind of trouble (Gal. 5:15). There legalism did not make them more spiritual, but more sinful. Vs. 10-11 says “the Law slew me.” The Law cannot give life, it only shows the sinner he is guilty and condemned. Be aware of various Philosophies in books and seminars, etc. No human leader can take the place of Christ and no book can replace God’s Word. Vs. 12-13, the Law shows the sinfulness of sin. We excuse our sins as weakness, but God would have us to know how wicked sin really is and that we are to oppose it and live in victory. The problem is not with the Law, but our sinful nature.
Vs. 14-24, we are informed of the inability of the Law. The Law is holy just and good, it came from a holy God. It reveals God’s holiness and helps us to see our need for a Savior. The old nature knows no Law, the new nature needs no Law. To live under the Law will only activate the old nature, but will not eradicate it. It cannot enable you to do good. Three times Paul states that sin dwells in us (Vs. 14,18,20, referring to the old nature). The believers mind, will and body can be controlled either by the old nature or the new nature. The believers self efforts cannot do the good he wants to do and does the evil he does not want to do.
This is a different problem from Chapter 6, there it was “How can I stop doing bad things?” Here it is “how can I ever do anything good?” The legalist says, “Obey the Law: WRONG, the Law cannot enable us to do good, or set you free. We can determine, “I will not do this any longer, What happens? By willpower, we succeed for a time, but then fall again. We cannot overcome the old nature with self-effort. But the inward man delights in the Law, the old nature delights in breaking it. We discover our best is not good enough.
Is there any deliverance? Vs. 24-25, There is One who shall deliver us, Jesus Christ our Lord! Praise God! Because we are united to Christ and alive to God, we can draw upon the power of the Holy Spirit. The explanation of this victory is given in Chapter 8 which I hope to write about in the next issue of Glorious Gospel. I will chose with V. 18 of our chapter, “in my flesh dwelleth no good thing.” Jn. 5:16-18; Phil. 3:3.
If we yield to the Holy Spirit, we have the power needed to obey God’s will. Just as we are dead to the old nature, we also are dead to the Law. Phil. 2:13, “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do His good pleasure.”
God Uses Broken Things
Vicky Moots
God has chosen the foolish things
The weak, the base and despised
To bring to nothing the things of this world
That God might be glorified.
God used things that are broken
Things that have oft been abused
Man shuns the poor, lame and weary
But these are the lives that God used.
He used broken bread to feed the hungry
Broken pitchers to bring forth light
Ground must be broken to yield its fruit
Broken lives will win the fight.
The weakness of God is stronger
His foolishness much more wise
Then all of the strength and wisdom of man
In his haughty and arogant pride.
Jesus Himself was broken
Despised and rejected was He.
But He’s nigh to those of a broken heart
So broken, like Him, we must be.
Oh, come partake of the Bread of Life
Yes, Jesus was broken for you
Just give Him your broken and wasted life.
And He will make it new.
Think On These Things
Martha WainrightGladstone, Missouri
“Whatsoever things are pure…” Philippians 4:8.
For sometime now I have tried to think of something in the world that is pure. But alas, I can’t think of anything! I phoned a very knowledgeable acquaintance of mine, the owner of Day’s Medical Laboratories in K. C. Mo., and ask him to name some pure substance, After a time of contemplating this, he said he couldn’t think of a thing that is really pure. Can you? This is really something to think about. It seems that anything that comes to mind is either a mixture or has been defiled in some way.
Let’s consider the definition of the word pure. Webster’s Dictionary definition is: unmixed; clear; clean; free from foreign matter. We can understand that, can’t we? We often see the word pure in print, and it is often used in everyday conversation. But we are at a loss to find anything we can purely apply this definition to.
Now, let’s look at W. E. Vine’s definition, found in his Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words. Pure: pure from defilement, not contaminated (from the same root as holy). There is the key – holy. This puts a new light on the subject.
Throughout the Bible the word pure is used. Sometimes in relation to a substance such as the materials used in the tabernacle: pure olive oil, pure myrrh, pure candle stick, etc. Perhaps these items were pure then. They would not be today, with our 20th century pollution, but that is questionable. The offerer of these were to use the purest substances available. I believe God counted them completely pure because they represented the Holy, undefied Son of God is one way or another. Isn’t this a glorious picture of us? We have a Holy nature (the Spirit of Christ), but in practice, since we still have an old nature also, we are not perfect (or pure). However, through faith in Christ, God sees us an pure, just as the obedient (to God’s instructions), were counted holy in the Old Testament records. Abraham is one example – Romans 4:20-22. Imputed righteousness is a gift, “not of works lest any man should boast” – Ephesians 2:8-9.
“Every word of God is pure” – Proverbs 30:5. There it is, that is what we have been looking for. What is pure? The Word of God. We are cleansed by the Word (John 15:3), and the Word of God satisfies (John 4:13-14). No food or water that we partake of is perfectly pure, but thank God for what we have, as it sustains our mortal body. But the Word of God enables us to yield to our new nature, the Holy Spirit endues us with power and the work of Calvary is ultimately “to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight.” Colossians 1:22, we are not only provisionally pure, but we also learn to walk in holiness.
It’s disgusting now much we are affected by the defilement of this world. We know that our spiritual nature cannot be touched by this defilement, but as to experience, that is not so. Our everyday existence is affected by worldly surroundings and the spirit of this “evil age,” and this in turn can influence us from without (our actions), and within (our thoughts).
How refreshing to drink from the pure springs of the Word of God and be cleansed. It is no wonder that we feel defiled by the world. The children of God are in the world, but not of it. Our instruction is to “reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord” – Romans 6:11. When we are translated from the power of darkness to the kingdom of light, we cannot feel at home in the world – Colossians 1:13.
“The world hateth you” – John 15:19. We can be congenial as long as our Heavenly Father leaves us here, but we don’t really “fit in.” Most of us work many hours for our provisions (corruptible) to live here, but our inheritance is “Incorruptible, and undefiled” – I Peter 1:4.
There we have it, a knowledge and revelation of what is pure. We think about Jesus, the Word of God, made manifest. We think about the written Word of God and allow these words to penetrate to our inner most being. The Word of God “kisses” us. Our communion with the Lord is pure. He is saying to us, “Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled – Song of Solomon 5:2. “Drink, yea, drink abundantly – S. of S. 5:1
Scientists will never develop nor discover anything pure. This is one of God’s “secrets” and He alone is the Revealer of His secrets. But, praise the Lord, the Holy Spirit has been given to guide us into truth, and this is true, that, “Whatsoever is pure,” is “Whatsoever is Holy.” THINK ON THESE THINGS.
The Encouraging Word
“For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.” Romans 3:28
“For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His loving kindness toward those who fear (revere) Him.” Psalm 103:11
“Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His mercy endureth for ever.” Psalm 106:1
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14
“I will go before you and level the mountains – to make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut asunder the bars of iron.”
Isaiah 45:2
“You rule the raging of the sea; when the waves of it arise, you still them.” Psalm 89:9
“For the Lord is Righteous; He loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold His face and He beholds the upright.” Psalm 11:9
Martha Wainright
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