Change Not Performance

Gordon Crook, Pastor

Grace Assembly, Wichita, Kansas

“Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.” Matthew 6:1-4 

It is our normal human nature to want to be accepted by others, and many times we are willing to put on a mask that is not our normal self. We can act in ways that make people think we are something that we are not. The old nature, that we all have, likes to act religious because it means that we do not have to recognize our failure before God. It is certainly possible to look like we are “spiritual,” when our heart is not right.

God is always dealing with our attitudes. He is not fooled by our outward actions even if they appear to be good. God is not in the business of making people that can put on a front and do things to be seen of others. He is in the business of changing our hearts to be like Him. The Christian life has never been about performance, but about change. 

God has always looked at man’s heart and sees what others do not. “I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” Jeremiah 17:10. “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

Everything we do is known by God, and He is the one that will reward accordingly. We are not talking about our salvation when we talk about rewards. We will receive a reward according to our deeds. However, those deeds should be done as unto the Lord and not to impress people. “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24 

When we are doing something for the Lord, it should be done as unto the Lord without considering whether others see us and recognize our efforts. While it is generally true that our actions are the effect of what is in our heart, we are certainly capable of doing things with the sole purpose of making others think something about us that is not really true. The real question is whether we really want to please God or man.

This is what Paul says about his intentions. “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a of Christ.” Galatians 1:10 (ESV) Every action should be in the attitude of pleasing God. This does not mean that we will act perfectly all the time. It is, however an attitude of heart that needs to pervade our life.

Many understand and agree that our salvation is by grace alone, but then they want to turn to performance for the rest of their spiritual growth. God has never desired “performance” from us. He desires only surrender. It is far harder to surrender all of our life to Jesus than to try to do something on our own. 

Jesus makes it very clear in John 15 that we can do nothing apart from Him. He is speaking there about bearing fruit. Performance is not fruit, it is self effort. What Jesus does in us when we are truly abiding in Him, is a real change in our hear attitude. He is making us more and more like Him. This is what Paul means when he says we are being changed from glory to glory.

God’s people will find so much rest and spiritual growth when they begin to realize that Jesus wants to complete their sanctification if they will let Him. “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:” Philippians 1:6. “The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me:” Psalm 138:8a. “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:24. “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.” Hebrews 12:2. “For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.” Hebrews 4:10 

Please consider that you are not expected to perform something that is defined by someone else in order to be spiritual. If you will yield your heart and life to Jesus, He will work a change in your life that you cannot on your own. I am so amazed at what He has changed in my life. I can really see many changes in my attitudes in my heart.

I saw this quote somewhere, and I think it is correct. “Nobody wakes up one day and decides to lock Jesus out. They just build something that works without Him.”

 Ephesians

Pastor Gordon Crook

Chapter 3

“In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” Ephesians 3:12-19 

Last month we ended considering God’s purpose and work to put on display, through the church, His great wisdom for all to see. Verse 11 ends with “eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” This leads to our start here; “In whom.” We now know that Paul is here referring to Jesus.

We are being reminded that our access to the Father is through Jesus. “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;” Hebrews 10:19-20 Also read Ephesians 2:18, John 14:6 and Romans 5:2. There is no other access, and this access made available to us is a precious privilege.

Coming into God’s presence with confidence is never about being rude or demanding as some want to do. The confidence is about understanding that on our own merits, we could not survive in God’s presence. You can read in Leviticus 16 how specific it was for Aaron to enter into the Holiest which is where God’s presence dwelt among Israel. God was teaching about the Holiness of His presence. This is why Hebrews 10:22 encourages us to “draw near” in “full assurance of faith.” Fully assured that we are accepted in His presence. Ephesians 1:6.

God has always intended that humans would be in fellowship with Him. This is exactly why He made a way for us. He is not just “tolerating” us in His presence, we are eagerly invited to have fellowship with Him.

Paul is not preaching the gospel out of some expectation of applause or acceptance by people, but because he knows the importance and truly wants us to know what God has revealed to him. This is why he tells the saints to not be discouraged by his tribulations. He is not discouraged. 

Even in his tribulations, he is able to pray for the saints that will listen to him. This is his second prayer in this letter. I have always been impressed with Paul’s prayers as I think they clearly show us how we ought to pray for each other. When we read these prayers, we should take away some understanding as to what God wants for us.

Consider what Paul prays for here. It is not their health. It is not their wealth. It is not even for their safety in light of persecution. It is for strength in the inner man. It is for them to be rooted and grounded in love. He prays for spiritual things because they are more important. What is the value of worldly things if the spiritual is neglected.

“Strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man.” This is not our own strength. Paul is not trying to be a motivational speaker. He wants us to realize that we need the strength from the Holy Spirit for our spiritual life. If we just try to “muscle” through on our own, we will fail.

“That ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge.” The most important thing we need to understand is the love of Christ. “Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 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 neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:36-40 

Jesus ties all of the law to love. Paul tells us that it is briefly comprehended in this; “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” John tells us that; “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” And also; “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” 1 John 4:20 

All of our understanding of God needs to be in relation to His great love. Jesus first loved us and gave Himself for us. For God so loved the world that He gave His beloved Son. Paul prays for these saints (and us) that we might comprehend; not just the basic love, but the breadth and length and depth and height. There is much more to the love of Christ than just knowing that He died for us.

Those that go on in the race for the prize of the high calling in Christ are going to realize there is much more to learn about Jesus every day. They will experience a deeper companionship with Jesus and His love will change them from the inside. 

“That ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” I wrote a complete article on this in the May 2026 Glorious Gospel. You can read that if you have a copy, or online at www.gloriousgospel.org.

I feel certain that these prayers of Paul should give us a great example of what we should pray for, both for ourselves and for others. I do not want to discourage in any way saints praying for their health and finances and wisdom and all of those things, but Paul helps us understand the more important things.

 Jesus in the Midst

Gordon Crook, Pastor

Grace Assembly, Wichita, Kansas

“Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.” John 20:19 

This seems to be the outstanding theme of Jesus’ activities during the 40 days after his resurrection. In one way or another He is always seen in the midst of His disciples, or other believers. Paul mentions that He was seen by over 500. 1 Corinthians 15:6. 

Jesus has always been in the midst or middle of all of God’s plans for man, for time and eternity. “Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;” Proverbs 8:30. All through man’s history, Jesus has been in the midst, but even more so and in a greater way after the resurrection and the completion of man’s redemption. “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:” Colossians 1:16 

After his resurrection, Jesus performed no miracles for the multitudes; He is seen mainly in the presence of his disciples. He made a promise while ministering to them. “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20 This promise is also for us. It applies to all believers since Jesus’ resurrection. 

In the Old Testament we find Him as well. It should not be thought that Jesus suddenly appears in the New Testament and was absent in the Old simply because His incarnation as a man happens in the New Testament. 

Consider the account in Daniel of the three Hebrew children that were thrown into the fire. “Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellers, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, came forth of the midst of the fire.” Dan 3:24-26.

In the midst of their fiery trial, Jesus stood with them. He is not afraid to stand with us today in the midst of our fiery trial. We just need to be willing to see Him there. 

Today, we find Jesus in the midst of His church. He is walking among the candlesticks as the judge. “And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.” Revelation 1:12-15.

We find Him judging His church in the second and third chapters of Revelation. We need not be afraid of Jesus judging His church, as He is preparing those that are allowing Him. Jesus “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,” Ephesians 5:25-26. Notice that He is preparing His bride out of the church by the Word. 

The Word of God is exactly how Jesus is in our midst today. The Word is how He is working in the life of any believer that wants to be prepared for that bridal company. 

And finally, we see Jesus in the midst in heaven. “And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.” Revelation 5:6 “They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” Revelation 7:16-17. 

Jesus will be in the midst for eternity. We will be worshiping Him for eternity. Those that find Him in the midst today will not regret allowing Him to prepare them with the Word of God. My encouragement to you is to put Jesus in the midst (center) of your life today and every day.

 Ephesians

Pastor Gordon Crook

Chapter 3

“For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.” Ephesians 3:1-7 

It is very important to understand that Paul was chosen to deliver the message of God’s grace, especially to the Gentiles. So many are failing to understand that God had always intended to bring the Gentiles in to His family, but it was not openly presented to His ancient people Israel. Some still want to tell us that only Israel is a partaker of what Jesus did. 

Others, want to take Israel completely out with a teaching that Gentiles now replace Israel in God’s future plans. A simple reading of Romans 11 will clear this up easily. God still has plans for His people Israel, but now, we are in an age of grace where Gentiles are being brought in. 

The method for entry is the same for Gentiles today as it is for Jews. It is all through God’s grace extended through Jesus and His completed sacrifice on the cross. This “mystery” (a hidden or secret thing, not obvious to the understanding) was shown to Paul. Remember that Paul was well educated in the Law and Prophets. If anyone would have reason to think this was incorrect, it would have been Paul. Maybe this is why Jesus chose Paul to present this “mystery.” 

The idea that Gentiles could also be God’s people was very foreign to the Jews. There are hints of this in the Old Testament, but it was not fully revealed before the book of Acts where God makes it plain that He will bring in the Gentiles to also be His people. Acts 11:18. This is not a sudden change in God’s mind. He always intended to bring people from all nations into His family.

We saw this already in chapter 2 of Ephesians. Paul explains that we are both (Jew and Gentile) brought together in one body. There is no difference in God’s view of a Jew that is saved through faith in Jesus or a Gentile that is saved through faith in Jesus. Here Paul refers to us as fellow heirs and of the same body.

“Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:” Ephesians 3:8-11 

Paul reminds us that the gospel (good news) is exactly what he has been telling us. That Jesus is gathering from every nation those that will trust in Him by faith. It is God’s grace that brings us the gospel, and God’s grace that chose Paul and enabled him to bring us this good news.

It may be because this was a “mystery” in the Old Testament, that so many today fail to understand it. Many are still trying to fuse believers today into Israel and putting them under bondage to a law that was given to show that even having the written law of God did not enable Israel to be righteous. 

What God had planned from before the foundation of the world was to bring all things together in Jesus and that group of people called the “church” (called out ones) would demonstrate that only God’s grace could accomplish such a thing. 

This is not just intended for the world to see and marvel, but even “principalities and powers in heavenly places.” God’s wisdom through His grace accomplished something that no human or “principality or power in heavenly places” could accomplish. 

I feel that it is extremely important to recognize this work that God is accomplishing through us. Failure to understand this will lead to a failure to yield our lives to God’s working. He is not creating a religion. He is not creating self righteous people. He is not creating a “Christian” nation. He is creating a display of His wisdom He is creating a people (individuals) who make up the body of Christ (the church), who will bring Him glory for eternity. 

To some, this may seem like a silly thing. They want recognition for their accomplishments. They want to feel like they did better than others. They want to think that eternity is going to give them some recognition. However, I think that realizing that God is taking a failed human person and creating something that brings glory to the eternal, self existent, all righteous God, should be nothing short of amazing and glorious. 

For those that think that the law and Israel was the fulness of God’s plan, they are missing out on the even more glorious part of God’s plan. This is not something that God thought of after Israel failed to keep His law and failed to be faithful to Him. It was always His plan. God is not yet done with Israel, but this time is something glorious.

I love this letter to the Ephesians. It lays out so simply and clearly God’s overall plan and helps us understand what our part of that plan is.

 More Glorious

Gordon Crook, Pastor

Grace Assembly, Wichita, Kansas

“But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?” 2 Corinthians 3:7-8 

Paul refers to the law as “the ministration of death.” This is an interesting title to use of the law, but he is trying to make a point that the law brought death. Look at verse 6. It had to. The wages of sin are “death” Romans 6:23. Because the law could not make a person righteous, it could not bring life. “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” Romans 3:20 

Paul knew the law well being instructed by Gamaliel (brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers) Acts 22:3. He was not just trying to show disrespect to the law. “Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.” Romans 7:12. However, he also knew that God had done something better which is what the law was pointing to all along. 

He is clear that the law is glorious. The giving of the law was well known and it was truly glorious. So much so, that the Israelites could not look at Moses’ face. The argument is not against the law, but rather a contrast between the law and something significantly better.

What could be better? “The ministration of the Spirit.” This is not some Plan B that God came up with because Pan A didn’t work. This has been God’s plan all along. A plan to send His Son to bring His glory down so that we could be brought up to Him. John describes what they witnessed. “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” John 1:17  

Jesus is more glorious because He is the Son of God and because He brought Grace and Truth to this world. He came to free us from the curse of the law. “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:” Galatians 3:13. Paul was addressing Christians who wanted to go back to the law after being saved by grace. 

In 2 Corinthians 3 Paul uses another term. “Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.” 2 Corinthians 3:6 This is an important distinction. The New Testament brings life. So, the contrast is between life and death.

The New Testament is more glorious because it brings life where death was deserved. God’s grace gives what we could not get for ourself and what we did not deserve. This is the basis of the Gospel. Now we can live and serve God acceptably because of His life. “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:4 “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:” Hebrews 12:28. 

The New Testament is more glorious because we could not obtain righteousness through the old. “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:” Romans 3:20-22. The more glorious covenant brings righteousness to us through Jesus Christ, not an attempt at self righteousness. “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:” Philippians 3:9. 

Paul understood the law, being well versed in it, so he also understood the importance of what Jesus had accomplished. “By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.” Hebrews 7:22-27. “But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.” Hebrews 8:6 

So, we have learned that we have been made partakers of a better, more glorious, covenant; the covenant of Grace which brings us directly into the presence of God. “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 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” Hebrews 10:19-22. Why then, would we want to go back to the Old “ministration of death” which cannot make us righteous or bring us directly into the presence of God.

 Ephesians

Pastor Gordon Crook

Chapter 2

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-13

Very well known portion that can be quoted by most Christians, but often seems to be misunderstood by many. This is the simplest statement of the Gospel of God’s grace. Any person can be saved, and it is always the same way; by grace through faith. Any person who believes (puts their trust) in Jesus is granted salvation by God’s grace. Nothing else to add; nothing else to do. 

The simple reason for this is to make sure that no one will get to take credit for helping in some way to bring about their own salvation. The credit, and therefore glory, goes entirely and only to God. You can pair this with Romans 3:23-24 to understand that every person needed the same salvation. No one comes to Jesus with better credentials than someone else.

We then notice that something comes from that work of grace. We now are able to produce good works in Christ Jesus. This was something Jesus spoke about in His ministry here. In John 15, speaking of bearing fruit (good works), He plainly says that “for without me ye can do nothing.” We cannot bring “good works” or “fruit” to Him to help with our salvation. 

“Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:” Ephesians 2:11-16. 

Since this letter is written primarily to gentiles (Ephesians), he reminds them (and us) that outside of Christ, we had no part in the promises that were given to Israel. We were “without hope” in this world, but God changed that through Jesus. Notice that the distinction here is “Gentiles in the flesh.” In our natural state, we are not part of Israel. However, spiritually, we will be brought into God’s family just as the Jew must also. The new covenant is spiritual and it includes whosoever will. God truly intends to bring in from “every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.”

The blood of Jesus brings us “near.” This is not just an little closer, but truly coming into the presence of God. “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 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” Hebrews 10:19-22. 

All of humanity was estranged from God’s presence. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23. We had no way to approach into God’s presence because of our sin. Now we can come in with “assurance;” confidence that We are accepted in the Beloved. We are not just made aware of this privilege, but rather encouraged to take advantage of it.

Now we find Jesus bringing both together in Himself. The Law that was given to Israel and is what makes them separate from the other nations is now “abolished;” “rendered useless” is the Greek. Why “useless?” Because it could not make us righteous which is what we were missing. So many Christians today miss this, or intentionally ignore it and want to stay under the Law. It is referred to as the “enmity.” Paul tells us in Romans that the only thing the Law could do is to show us our sin. It could never produce righteousness. Only a “new creation;” the life of Jesus Christ can make us righteous.

And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. Ephesians 2:16-22.

Now there is no difference before God. Jew, gentile, all one in Jesus. Paul uses the concept of a building to illustrate what God is doing. A building needs a foundation, which is God’s Word. The Apostles and Prophets are the ones God chose to give us His Word. Jesus is the cornerstone. The foundation requires a cornerstone to set the location and to square it up correctly. 

While many men have tried, through the ages, to put their own ideas and philosophies in to building, we can be certain that the real foundation is set and does not change. We are God’s building. He is the builder. We fit where and how He wants. We only look to Jesus for our instruction.

 Fullness

Gordon Crook, Pastor

Grace Assembly, Wichita, Kansas

“And to know  the love of Christ, which passeth  knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” Ephpesians 3:19

I have meditated much on this phrase, ‘being filled with all the fulness of God.’ It is what Paul prays for believers. It is entirely overwhelming to me. When one considers the idea that God’s fulness can fill us, we must first consider what God’s fulness entails.

Consider what God says about Himself in the Old Testament. “Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see  him? saith  the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith  the LORD.” Jeremiah 23:24. While this certainly refers to God’s presence being everywhere, it reminds us of the greatness of God in being able to fill everything, heaven and earth.

Paul tells us something about Jesus in Colossians 2:9, “For in him (Jesus) dwelleth  all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” God has always intended that everything be brought together in Jesus, and Paul reminds us that it includes the fullness of the Godhead, that is the entire essence of the Godhead. 

Jesus made it possible for us, who had fallen short of the glory of God, to be partakers of that divine life. “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2 Peter 1:3-4

So we find that we who have trusted in Jesus have the Life of Jesus in us, Colossians 1:27. Now, consider that God places in us the Life of Christ who is the fullness of the Godhead, and we are just moving through life like we don’t know if we can be what God wants us to be. It has never been about our ability. It has always been about the Life of Christ, and what He will do in us. 

Too many of God’s children are trying to get the performance right, and trying to make themselves presentable to God, when He has already made us presentable (Ephesians 1:6) and wants to fill us with Himself. Paul is praying for the saints (and that includes us) that we would be filled with the fullness of God. Not just a little bit, but all the fullness of God. 

Let’s consider the relationship between Jesus and His church. Paul uses the concept of a body to express the relationship. “Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.” Ephesians 1:23. The church (all believers) make up the body (the fulness) of Christ who fills everything. This is hard to understand with our little minds, but it is a spiritual work that God has accomplished; that God could use us to become the fullness of the One that fills all. Boggles the mind.

I am reminded of a fruit tree. It can only put forth fruit when there is sap flowing up the tree. The tree must be “full” so that it can produce the fruit. In John 15, Jesus reminds us that we must abide in Him, and He abides in us, and that is the only way we are able to bear fruit. The question might then be; how do we abide in Jesus?

Abiding in Jesus is having constant communion with Him. Constantly communicating with Him. We do this through prayer and study of the Scripture. Do you know what Jesus said? You should, because it is written for us in the gospels. Read, study, meditate. Be careful about getting your understanding of Jesus and His words from people on the internet. We can certainly hear what others have to say, but we must also read to see if those line up correctly with what Scripture says.

We need to have a true desire to be filled with the fullness of God. “For he satisfieth the longing  soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.” Psalm 107:9. The Psalmist understood that God is desiring to fill those that want Him. Our nature is to be filled with ourselves. Just let me be what I want to be, and do what I want to do. But God has something far better for those that desire. “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst  after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Matthew 5:6.

Being filled with God means that every aspect of our lives is under His control. We are certainly willing to give God control of certain parts of our lives, but often want to keep control over others. We are convinced that we know how to fix ourselves to be what God wants us to be. However, this will always lead to failure. 

Why are we so intent on keeping God from doing something in our lives that will be glorious for eternity, and bring glory to Him for eternity? It is because we have an enemy that is intent on keeping us from God’s best. Satan does not want you to be filled with the fullness of God.

In Scripture, we are encouraged to be content with such as we have. However, I don’t want us to confuse contentment with complacency. They are not the same. Complacency is what keeps us from desiring more of God. I don’t care how far you have come with the Lord, there is still more. He always has more for us. All He needs from us is a willing vessel. He will fill us to overflowing.

 Ephesians

Pastor Gordon Crook

Part 5

Chapter 2

“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” Ephesians 2:1-4

“Quickened” – “make alive.” Notice again, that this is God’s work. He is the one that has made us spiritually alive in Christ Jesus. Also notice that we were dead. We had no power to make ourselves alive. Remember God’s power from chapter 1. He brought Jesus from the dead so that we could be made spiritually alive.

It seems to me that many today do not understand just how terrible sin is. We often gage people by how “good” we think they are, and human philosophy suggests that there is “good” in every person. Scripture has a different view. We were “dead” in sin and trespasses. Not physically dead, but spiritually dead. And only He can change that to life because of Jesus and His resurrection.

Paul instructs us as to the fact that we were (outside of Christ) yielding to spiritual powers that kept us in sins and trespasses. We were following the time frame of this world that is under the dominance of spiritual powers that are contrary to God. This is the period that we live in, and it will only end when Jesus returns to put down all opposition to Himself. “Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing [that is] not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.” Hebrews 2:8. Clearly not everything is currently in subjection to Jesus, but it will be at the end of this period (age).

He refers to us “having” (past tense) our “conversa-tion” (way of living) according to this world. That past tense means that, as God’s redeemed children, we should no longer be yielding to those powers, but to the life of Christ that is now in us. God didn’t just make us “good” people, He made us ALIVE in Christ Jesus. We should be living in that power.

He refers to the “children of disobedience” which is all of those that have not put their trust in Jesus. As God’s precious children, we no longer fit that description. Are we sometimes disobedient? Certainly, but not “children of disobedience,” which refers to belonging to the prince of the power of the air, but rather “children of God.” “Children of wrath” refers to our condition outside of Jesus Christ. All of those who reject Him will be under His wrath. Again, this no longer applies to those who have put their trust in Jesus for redemption.

Notice that those that are rejecting Jesus and choosing to live their lives outside of Him, they live fulfilling the desires of their flesh. It is clear that we are not to live this way. We have a new life; the life of Christ in us, to which we should be yielding. If we are indeed yielding to Him, then we will be fulfilling the desires of the Spirit. Remember that the fruit (visible output) of our life is the result of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23. The works of the flesh, Galatians 5:19-21, are the result of fulfilling the desires of our flesh.

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:” Ephesians 2:5-6

Thank God that He made us alive even while we were in this “dead” condition. He did not wait until we were able to do something to get out of that condition. He did not wait until we could show some change in behavior. We were “dead;” unable to do anything to make ourselves alive, but God showed mercy and love towards us. Romans 5:6-8. We must not ever reduce this to some simple concept that we just talk about lightly. This is more amazing than all of the knowledge we have about the entire universe. 

What I really love about God is that He never does just the minimum. He always goes far beyond what would be considered sufficient. He did not just make us alive (that would be more than we could expect), He raised us up and sat us in heavenly places in Christ. 

We might consider our situation today, looking around us, and think that we have missed out on that placement. This is exactly how the enemy will attack our minds. However, we must realize that when God says something is so, He sees the end from before He stated it. I recognize that there is still coming a day when we will literally be sitting with our Lord in the heavenlies, but even now, we are already provisionally there. Many of God’s children fail to lay hold of this truth and miss out on the amazing power that is ours because of Jesus.

“That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:7

And finally, we get to God’s overall purpose. He is not making us “good” people, He is working something far greater that He will be able to show for all eternity. He will not be showing how great we were able to make ourselves, but how great His grace is. He will be showing the power of His grace to take a wretch like me and make something that is glorious. His work, not mine. 

This is why it is important to quit trying to add our attempts to the finished work of Jesus. Paul refers to it as frustrating the grace of God. Galatians 2:21. There is so much push in Christendom today to bring people back under the law. You must keep the Torah, they say. Jesus has done all that is required and we are now God’s work by grace.

Continued

 God’s Purpose

Gordon Crook, Pastor

Grace Assembly, Wichita, Kansas

I want to start this topic with a few concepts to level set our understanding.

1. God is eternal. He is not bound by time or space as we are. “Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:” Isaiah 46:10

2. Unlike us, God does not think of something and then wonder if He can pull it off. He accomplishes everything He thinks of. “The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand:” Isa 14:24.

3. God always acts in a righteous and perfect way. “And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.” Psalm 9:8. “But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.” Isaiah 11:4-5

As I considered the topic of God’s purpose, I came to realize that God’s purpose is eternal, just as He is eternal. When we look at all that we have given to us in God’s Word, we must come to the conclusion that God’s purpose has always revolved around His Son Jesus. Not just after the creation and fall of humanity, but since before the creation of humanity. Jesus is and always will be at the center of God’s purpose.

We should start by understanding that God’s purpose is unchangeable and cannot be stopped. “The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand:” Isaiah 14:24. “Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:” Isaiah 46:10. 

God is not like us in needing to figure out if His plan is executable or not. He is not moved by things that happen that seem to undermine His plan. He knew them before they happened. He was not taken by surprise at the fall of Adam and Eve. It was already accounted for in His plan before He even created them. “Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,” 1Peter 1:20. Nothing done by man is affecting God’s plan. To the contrary, it is working right in line with God’s purpose. 

I started writing this before the war against Iran began, and I know some are very concerned about what will come of that. However, nothing that is happening today is outside of God’s purpose. He is putting everything into place where He needs it to finish His work with humanity.

I would not have enough room here to lay out every bit from the Old Testament, but I will point out that God chose Abraham to become His nation. He chose others throughout the OT to bring about the necessary people and conditions for Jesus to come. He chose and used imperfect people like Moses, Joshua, Samuel, David, Solomon, and many others to bring about His purpose in Christ Jesus. Paul tells us that Jesus came at just the right time. Galatians 4:4.

I cannot tell you exactly why that was the “right time”, but God has an exact plan that is being worked out. What I can tell you is that God’s purpose is wrapped up in Jesus, and that it includes you and me and anyone who will trust in Jesus. I can tell you God is choosing to work through people and nations to bring about His final purpose. 

While we may not have every minute detail of God’s plan, He has revealed to us what He intends to do. “Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:” Ephesians 1:9-10.

God will gather all things together in Jesus. Jesus came and gave His life to make it possible for us to be a part of this plan. It was always God’s intent to bring humanity into His presence through the sacrifice of His Son. This is God’s work, and not one person can take any credit for it. “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,” 2Timothy 1:9.

I find this revelation to be incredibly exciting. It is also very humbling to realize that God always intended for me to be able to spend eternity in His presence. I think sometimes we fail to comprehend the fulness of this plan. Maybe we have heard it before, and are keen to regurgitate the words, but do we really understand? Are we aware of the depth of God’s grace? Paul prayed for the saints to have a deep understanding. 

To put a “cherry on top”, there is even more. God is taking from out of those who have believed and trusted in Jesus (the church), a group that will be the bride of Jesus. These will have a very close intimacy their Lord. It is still God’s work, so we still cannot take any credit for it, but we can be a part of that company. All God is expecting from us is a desire and a willingness to yield to His working. 

When we study God’s Word with a true desire for a deeper revelation, God will honor that and reveal Himself more and more. As He does that, He is working in our life to change us from glory to glory. He is preparing us for a close intimate relation with Himself for eternity. Don’t let the world rob you of this great opportunity.

 Ephesians

Part 4

Pastor Gordon Crook

First, an apology for last month’s article that had Ephesians 1:7-10 which should have been Ephesians 1:7-12.

“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14

So, verse 12 tells us that God’s purpose in our life is that we might be to the praise of His Glory. All of this is His purpose for those that put their trust in Jesus. It is the Gospel that brings us directly to Jesus. When we hear and understand the Gospel, we realize that the only way to salvation is to put our trust in Jesus, and that brings us directly into God’s eternal purpose.

He has given us the Holy Spirit as the earnest of our inheritance. An earnest is something valuable given as a pledge to some future value that will be given. While we are in this world, awaiting our final inheritance, we have God’s Holy Spirit. More than just something to show God’s promise, the Holy Spirit also works in us to make us into those that will certainly bring praise and glory to Him.

Verses 15 and 16 lead us into one of Paul’s prayers for the saints. I have always loved studying these prayers. It helps us understand what Paul thought was important for the saints, and since the Holy Spirit inspired him to write these down, they have important instruction for us.

First, note in  verse 16 that Paul starts by giving thanks for all the saints. “ALL” the saints. And he is praying for all saints. 

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,” Ephesians 1:15-18. 

Praying for wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. I want to point out that none of this prayer is for worldly anything. Not even for healing (which Paul could use). It reminds us that what matters most is the spiritual. We often get too focused on the things in this life that bother us or that we think we need 

Paul’s desire for the saints was that they would have a deeper knowledge of God. Nothing is more important or more valuable than knowing God. So many Christians have a very shallow knowledge of their Lord. The enemy can get us so focused on the world and our place in it and the things we think we need, that we fail to take the time to truly spend in fellowship with our Lord. 

Many do not have any understanding of the hope that is in our calling. That is that God, in His amazing grace, has given us something that should make the things of this world pale by comparison. Our hope is that we will spend eternity in His presence, reigning with Jesus, which is also His inheritance. He considers us (His children) to be of extreme value to Himself. We have in us the life of His Son.

And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. Ephesians 1:19-23

The next part of Paul’s prayer is for the saints to have a deep knowledge of God’s power. As a reminder of how great this power is, he tells us that it is the power that raised Christ from the dead. We probably have a good idea about power. We might know that there are powerful machines that can do serious work and it might impress us. However, we do not know of anyone that has power to raise the dead, except our God. 

I realize that this kind of power is difficult for us to comprehend. This is why we live by faith. I believe that God raised Christ from the dead. However, do I really have a deep understanding of that power and it’s impact on me? Do I want to truly know God in that way? Paul prays for us that we would.

Something the Holy Spirit reveals here through Paul, is that Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father, and has been given dominion over all things. This is part of God’s eternal purpose that will gather all things in Christ Jesus. The fulness of this purpose will come when God brings an end to the time of the Gentiles and Jesus returns to take His place as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

In the meantime, we, the church, all believers are already under His headship and He is Lord over His church. Not all “churches” acknowledge this as they attempt to put a man as head of the “church,” but that does not change God’s purpose in any way. It is our privilege today to acknowledge and yield to the headship of Christ in our lives and in our churches. We are privileged to realize that we, as His church, are the fulness of Him that fills all in all. I think we should be amazed and excited by all of this.

We have come to understand that God has a purpose for us, and that it is in His Son Jesus Christ. We now know that it is all of Him; all His work, and all for His Glory. Paul’s prayer reminds us of how we should pray for each other, and even for ourselves. Asking God to reveal more of Himself to us, and to increase our knowledge of Him and of His power to work in our lives. This is a great request for us today.

Continued

 ANGER

Gordon Crook, Pastor

Grace Assembly, Wichita, Kansas

It is not hard to see there is a lot of anger building up today. It manifests itself in the rage and violent behavior we see everyday in the news. It is apparent in the way kids at school treat each other. It is apparent in the way adults speak to and about each other. Anger is used as a political tool to get people to do things they might not otherwise consider doing. The results are always hurt and more anger. Nothing good comes from man’s anger.

The Bible goes so far as to call those that are often angry, fools. “Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.” Ecclesiastes 7:9 The word fool, actually means silly or stupid. It generally refers to those that are unbelievers, but can also refer to an attitude. Notice the counsel to not be hasty. We used to say, “count to ten before you reply in anger.” For believers, this is important exhortation. How we respond to others should always be a reflection of Jesus.

Every one of us has been angry at some time. Anger is one of the deeds of the old nature. “But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;” Colossians 3:8-9 We all have an old nature. However, as God’s people (believers, Christians) have something else. We have the New Nature (the Life of Christ) in us and because of that, we can “put off” the old nature.

The apostle Paul reminds of this in Ephesians 4:31  “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:” He starts in verse 22 about putting off the old man. Then we are told, Ephesians 4:26 “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:” We are not to let anger control us and cause us to do something against our brother/sister, or something that will bring shame to the name of Jesus. 

 

It is very wise to leave anger with God. “He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.” Proverbs 14:29 James reminds us to not be hasty in anger. “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:” James 1:19 When we become angry, if we first go to the Lord and tell Him what has made us angry, we will find peace, and He will help us to let go of the anger. We need to remember that God is the one who takes care of the circumstance that would cause us to be angry. “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” Romans 12:19

I have come to understand that anger is a result of pride. We become angry when someone does something to us or says something about us, or maybe even when we feel slighted by others. This is a result of pride that makes us think that we deserve better; that we do not deserve to be treated this way. We come to understand that we have no control over what others do or say, only over our response to them. That control over our response is yielding to the life of Christ that lives in us. 

It is certain that when we act in anger, we will eventually regret it. Anger causes us to do and say things that we would not otherwise do or say. Then, once the words leave our mouth, they can never be taken back. On the other hand, when we are on the receiving end we can heed God’s Word; “[He that is] slow to anger [is] better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.” Proverbs 16:32. 

The world would have us believe that getting angry is just natural and necessary. Well, it is natural, but we do not need to be controlled by our anger. When we overcome anger through Jesus, we show to the world that Jesus is truly Lord. We show them how Jesus can bring peace to our lives. 

There is a very instructive story in 1Samuel 25. David is about to react in anger against Nabal, but his wife Abigail comes to speak with David and diffuses his anger. David’s response in verses 32-34 are a reminder that sometimes we can react to a situation in anger that we might regret. Abigail shows us that when someone is reacting in anger towards us, we can help diffuse that anger. Alternatively, we just react in anger and they react in anger, and it just gets out of hand. “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” Proverbs 15:1.

Jesus Himself is our example. Peter tells us that Jesus did not respond in anger even though He had a right to be angry. “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:” 1Peter 2:21-23.

If you are thinking that it is too hard sometimes to control your anger, then I remind you that you have the life of Christ in you. Not only is He our example, but He is our power to follow His example. When we yield our emotions to Him, we will find ourselves reacting as He would. We should not be gritting our teeth to overcome anger. 

I have heard some claim that their anger is a “righteous indignation.” This is just a fancy way to justify our desire to be angry. James reminds us that human anger does not bring righteousness. “For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” James 1:20. It is true that God does exhibit righteous anger at times, but we cannot claim that same outcome since we are not omniscient.

If we have said something in anger, then we should ask forgiveness. We need to ask forgiveness from God, and then from the person with whom we were angry. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger. Take care of it quickly. You will feel better, and you will be glad you did. Remember that only Jesus can control your anger.

 Ephesians

Part 3

Pastor Gordon Crook

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.” Ephesians 1:7-10

In the first six verses, we started noting that Paul continually refers to He, Him, who hath, all referring to what God has done. This first chapter really helps us understand the provision, and it is those that will go deeper and seek complete maturity that will lay hold of these.

As we continue in this chapter, we continue to see more of what has been done for us. Redemption (liberation procured by the payment of a ransom), and forgiveness of sins (remission of the penalty). Jesus purchased (paid the price for) our redemption. Not just barely, but according to the riches of His grace. We do not have the capacity to understand the true meaning of that phrase. Anything we think about what that means, falls short of the actuality. Our minds are so limited by the fact that we live in a limiting environment. I really encourage you to take time and meditate on some of these statements in this first chapter. Let the Holy Spirit speak to you.

All of what we see here is God’s doing according to His good pleasure. We cannot take any credit, nor can we even think that we might have imagined this. And what we learn is that everything that God purposes is abundant. Never just barely enough. This entire plan is God’s wisdom. It certainly does not fit the wisdom of this world. Consider 1 Corinthians 1:17-25. 

He has abounded towards us. The means that He created provision for us beyond what might be expected. This is His wisdom. I often hear people say something like “God is so unfair, or He doesn’t care about human suffering, or how can a loving God do this?” As if somehow a puny little human could even imagine or understand the workings of the all-wise God. Paul says this “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” 1Corinthians 1:25. The most “foolish” thing that God could do, is still wiser than the wisest thing man could conceive.

And, instead of just keeping His wisdom to Himself, God imparts it unto us. “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:” 1Corinthians 1:30. Everything that God has is made available to us through Jesus. Not because we deserve it, but because it is His good pleasure (grace). This thing that God has done and is doing right now, is not just a random occurrence. He is not just throwing things out there to see what happens. God always has a plan and purpose with everything He does. All the provision He has made available to us is making something specific that God had predetermined before the beginning of time. 

God is bringing everything together in Jesus Christ. This is not an experiment to see if it works, it is a completed plan into which we are being offered a place. God absolutely will bring all things together in Jesus Christ, and the only question we must consider is: Am I going to be part of that? Remember that God is doing this. It is His work, not yours or mine.

For all of eternity, God will demonstrate that His plan of grace, that required the sacrifice of Jesus, was the only way, and that will bring Him glory. Notice this statement: “That we should be to the praise of his glory.” I always find this incredible. If you really understand the condition of humanity, it is incredible to consider that God will use us to bring glory to Himself, and yet, He absolutely will.

And, incase that isn’t enough, He has made us His heirs. We have “obtained” an inheritance. We have not “earned” an inheritance, it is God’s grace towards us to give us an inheritance in Christ Jesus. “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” Romans 8:17. I don’t know about you, but that is a statement that is hard to grasp. 

If I told you that your were heir to Warren Buffet, you might be overwhelmed at the immensity of that prospect. That isn’t even a drop in God’s bucket. He is the creator, and thus owner, of everything. This isn’t about some greedy grab for wealth, it is an acknowledgment of the immensity of God’s grace towards us. It should elicit gratitude and humility to realize we have been given saving grace, enabling grace and preparation grace. 

We have put our trust in Jesus, and that is all He has asked of us, Faith. Believe what He has said and trust that He will accomplish all of His will. The Gospel is not about performance, but rather it is about putting all of our trust and faith in Jesus for every aspect of our lives.  

Faith is not some blind adherence to something because someone told us to. We trust Him because He has proven who He is. Abraham stepped out in faith and God proved to Him over and over that He was able to do what He promised. It is even easier for us. We have all of the Old Testament that shows us over and over God’s faithfulness and His ability to accomplish His promises. 

Even beyond that, we can clearly see God’s faithfulness in His creation. He has created this world for us, and He sustains it every day. It is just exactly what we need to live.

Continued

 The Word

Gordon Crook, Pastor

Grace Assembly, Wichita, Kansas

“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. “ Psalm 19:7-10

I don’t think there is anything more important for the child of God than understanding the importance of God’s Word. It is not just another book, nor is it some kind of science or history or social studies manual, even though it contains elements of those things. The main purpose of the Scriptures is to bring us into a closer relationship with God.

The Old Testament may seem like just a bunch of stories or some history, but God uses those books to speak to us about His plan for man’s redemption, and about His character. Our faith and trust in God are increased as we take time to study God’s Word. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17.

The 19th Psalm gives us some thoughts about the Scriptures and the effect of them on our lives. I think that verse 10 gives us the important conclusion. The value of God’s Word is beyond mere worldly wealth and sweeter than honey. This should grab our attention. If I told you that I have something that can increase your bank account by three times, it would probably grab your attention. 

While I realize that we need money in this world, and we make use of worldly things for our survival here, there is something mush more important that we should seek after. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33. Spiritual wealth (accumulated in heaven) is far more important. Life is short, but eternity is very long. 

Let’s notice some of the characteristics of the Scriptures.

1. Perfect – God’s Word is perfect (complete). Everything we need from God will be found in His Word. I want to mention here that the Bible does not answer every single detail you can think of. It would be enormous. However, it does contain the information we need to address every single detail. God gives us principles to guide us. More importantly, everything that you need to know to turn you towards God is there. The entire purpose of God’s Word is to turn us to Jesus.

2. Sure – This speaks to us about support. A little like a foundation. It is a moral, spiritual foundation that is steady. This will make us wise. “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 3:15.  Not the wisdom of the world. This wisdom is spiritual wisdom which supersedes the wisdom of the world.

3. Right – “Straight” which means that they are correct and proper, and this rejoices our heart. Why? Because that which is straight is constant and easy to see and follow. More and more I have come to realize the simplicity of God’s Word and how important that is. The world’s philosophy and guidance is all over the place. “Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.” Psalm 119:128. Knowing what God says is what matters most. God is the One who will judge all things, so what man thinks is irrelevant.

4. Pure – This refers to something that is clean or not adulterated. I also can refer to something that cleanses. Both of these meanings are perfectly applied to God’s Word. We can be certain that it is not adulterated with the philosophies and ideas of the world. We can also be assured that it will cleanse us if we lay hold of it. “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,” Ephesians 5:26. “As newborn babes, desire the sincere (pure, unadulterated) milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” 1Peter 2:2. 

“Enlightening the eyes” refers to the ability to give us wisdom and discernment. Through God’s Word, we can clearly see the way ahead of us. We can clearly see the stumbling blocks of the world. We gain discernment in all issues of our life.

5. “The fear of the LORD is clean” – This phrase does not directly refer to the Scriptures, but reminds us that this is the beginning of wisdom which is what we just read above. This word “clean” speaks of ceremonial cleanness. The “Fear of the Lord” refers to a true understanding of Who God is, and the reverence that comes from that. The fear of the Lord is not just some words from our mouth. It is demonstrated in our actions. It brings about a change that is eternal. We will for eternity worship God in absolute reverence. 

6. True and righteous – “true” is about correctness, or trustworthiness. God has proven His Word to be trustworthy. Everything He has promised, He has done. We can also ascertain that His Word is correct. When comparing our lives to what we find in the Bible, we realize that it is certainly correct. “As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.” Psalm 18:30. “So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.” Psalm 119:42.

God’s Word is all of these things and more. It is of utmost value to those that know. If we are going to have a personal relationship with Jesus, we must spend time studying God’s Word. “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” John 5:39. Jesus makes it very clear that we will find Him in the Scriptures. If we are trying to find something else there, we are looking for the wrong thing. 

I pray that you find the sweetness of honey when you get into God’s Word.

 Ephesians

Pastor Gordon Crook

“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 1:1-2

As mentioned in the intro article, Paul begins this letter with his credentials and a greeting of grace and peace. The overall message that God gives us through Paul’s writing is one of grace and peace, brought to us through Jesus Christ. In order to keep us grounded, we must first know for certain that everything is from God by His grace.

Read Ephesians 1:3-6.

God deserves blessing from us for who He is and for what He has done. When we use the word “blessed” or “blessing” we think primarily of God giving us something. However, the Greek word used here is “euloge¯tos”, and refers to speaking praise about someone. We definitely need to praise God for the things that Paul is mentioning in these verses.

Notice these: 

• He hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ

• He hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world

• that we should be holy and without blame before him in love

• Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ

• He hath made us accepted in the beloved.

We will continue to notice more of what God has done for us as we go through this letter. Often times, it seems that Christians want to find the things that God demands of us so we can create a religion. Paul wants us to know the things that God has done for us and provided for us, as these are necessary before we can even think about something we might do for God. 

Jesus did not come to create a religion. He did not come to put demands on humanity. He came to offer us something that religion and self effort would never avail. We need to understand these things, and Paul intends to open them up for us. We do well to ask the Holy Spirit that “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened.”

Consider that we “have been” blessed with “all” spiritual blessings in Christ. First, there is no mention of natural blessings or wealth here. God is far more concerned with our spiritual condition than our natural condition, because the spiritual condition has eternal implications while the natural condition is temporary. The statement is about something that is already done. And it is about something that is very complete. Jesus died once for all, to make provision for all we need. All spiritual blessings are provided for us already. 

We need to understand the concept of being “chosen in Him before the foundation of the world.” It refers to the fact that God had always intended to bring us to Himself through Jesus. It was always God’s plan to bring human beings into fellowship with Himself through the sacrifice of Jesus. This is God’s choice, and we are blessed to be able to lay hold of this invitation. 

I know there are some that will say that God chooses certain ones to be saved and others not. I cannot reconcile this teaching with the rest of scripture where God is clear that whosoever will may call upon the name of the Lord. I do understand that God knew those that would call upon His name, but His foreknowledge does not mean He chose some to salvation and some to perdition.

God’s choice of Jesus’ sacrifice to brings us into fellowship with Himself was more than just a symbol of some kind. It allows us to stand before Him “holy and without blame.” We certainly could never achieve this standing by our own effort. It is not a standing that depends on our ability to keep some rules or do something special. It is freely provided to us by God’s grace. 

When Nicodemus came to talk to Jesus, he was told that he must be born again. Jesus talks about a new birth that brings us into God’s family. “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ.” The word adoption used here in the English translation is not referring to adoption as we understand it. We are not just brought into God’s family, we are born again into His family by spiritual birth. God doesn’t just drag the old creation into His family, he brings us in as a new creation in Christ Jesus.

All of this is according to the good pleasure of His will. God did all of this of His own accord, and for His own pleasure. Consider for a minute that bringing you into His family brings pleasure to God. So much so that He was willing to sacrifice His only begotten Son to do so. In all of this first chapter of Ephesians, I want you to notice how often Paul mentions “He,” “Who” and reminds us that God did all of this of His own volition which means that all praise goes to Him. 

God did not owe us anything. We were the rebellious creation that turned against God to satisfy our own desires and will. We were God’s enemies Romans 5:8-10. We were not acceptable. We could not have fellowship with God or ever expect to enter into His presence. Even in that condition, God provided His Son to reconcile us. He made us “accepted in the Beloved.” We know who the Beloved is. God clearly tells us on the mount of transfiguration in Matthew 17 that Jesus is His beloved Son. 

“Accepted” means that we now have access to His presence. Hebrews 10:19, Romans 5:2. I am not sure if we really understand the privilege this brings to us. In this world, people consider it a privilege to have access to the President or to some important person or entertainer. We have access to the Almighty, Eternal, Holy God. I hope you understand the immensity of this privilege and do not take it for granted.

Continued

 Here We Go Again

Gordon Crook, Pastor

Grace Assembly, Wichita, Kansas

“My times are in thy hand: . . .” Psalms 31:15

Once again, we have come into a new year. It often seems that time is just moving faster than we can adjust for. When I was thinking about the new year, I realized that “New Year” is just a nomenclature for us to account for periods of time in our life. So are all other periods of time (day, week, month, etc). Our life continues on and on until God brings it to an end.

This is not going to be some morbid, depressing article. In fact, it will be just the opposite. Time continuing no matter what we think, and increasing our age with no care as to what it is doing to our bodies, is simply just a fact of this life. We cannot change or stop the passage of time. However, we do have reason to have hope in the midst of all of this.

In December, we are brought to consider the first advent of Jesus when He came as a baby and grew into a man that gave His life for our redemption. Not just so we could go around claiming to be righteous people, but so that we could spend eternity with Him. This is exactly what He told us, “that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:3).

This is truly our great hope. Yes, time is moving on and we cannot stop it, but we should be looking even more urgently for the coming of our Lord to take us to be with Him. “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.” Hebrews 10:25. “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.” Romans 13:11.

My desire for this new year is to encourage God’s people to check their focus. Many people will make new years resolutions, most of which will not be kept. I do not recommend making resolutions that will simply be ignored soon. I do recommend getting into the study of your Bible. It will help you find the right focus. 

Many Christians today are focused on the current events in the world. They might be focused on the politics of their local community or their country. They might be focused on improving the situation through politics and other means. All of this is just a distraction that we are warned about. “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus SHALL suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers SHALL wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But CONTINUE THOU in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;” 2 Timothy 3:12-14. “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.” 2 Timothy 2:4.

Scripture is very clear on the direction that the world will go as Jesus’ coming gets closer. There is no scripture that tells us that we will, or even should try to, improve the world system. I have no illusions about where things will go in our country or any other. Our focus needs to be squarely on Jesus, and our expectation of His soon return. In Revelation 2, we find Jesus saying the following to the church at Ephesus; “I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.” “First love” is “preeminent love” “first in time or place, in any succession of things or persons, first in rank, influence, honour. 

Is Jesus all of this to me? To you? Are other things taking this place in our lives? I feel compelled to stress more and more the importance of our personal relationship with Jesus Christ. This is after all what true Christianity is really about. 

So much of what the world offers to Christians sounds good, and even has a small bit of truth mixed in. Satan is not stupid, and we should be very careful to not underestimate him. Paul tells us that we should know Satan’s methods. “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” 2 Corinthians 2:11. We really must stay immersed in God’s Word if we are to understand and recognize Satan’s devices against us. 

Many things are going to change in our world. AI (Artificial Intelligence) is increasingly taking over and presenting us with all kinds of information and things that can sometimes be difficult to discern. My personal opinion about technology is that it can be very useful and it can be used for very evil purposes. This has always been true of technology. 

I say all of this as a reminder that we are to be alert and watching. Not watching the world for what they are doing or going to do, but watching for our Lord. Alert to the devices of the enemy, but watching eagerly for our Lord. When our Lord was on His way to the cross, He did not tell His disciples to try to stop that or to be concerned with what the government was doing. He told them to watch and pray.

It is certainly possible that we might see things get much worse in the coming days or years, if the Lord tarries. Don’t be moved by these things. Be steadfast in your faith and your hope that is in Christ Jesus. The world will likely hate us more and more, and more Christians will be moved to try to counteract this hatred. We are not told to counteract the hatred of the world, but simply to trust in our Lord. “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.” John 15:18. “Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.” 1 John 3:13. 1 “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:” Peter 2:21-23.

Time will continue to pass until Jesus returns, and the most important thing we can do is to wait expectantly for Him. May we “love His appearing” 2 Timothy 4:8. And may we say with those in Revelation 22, “Even so, come Lord Jesus.”

 Ephesians

Gordon Crook, Pastor

Grace Assembly, Wichita, Kansas

Introduction

The letter of Paul to the Ephesians has some of the greatest instruction for God’s people. It helps us understand our position in Christ and what God’s purpose for us is.

Ephesus was a prominent port city in Asia Minor, in what is current day Turkey. It was a major religious site as the temple of Diana was there. This made it a wealthy city due to trade and religious tourism (pilgrimage). This religious aspect comes into full view as Paul evangelizes there in Acts starting in chapter 18. 

He first goes to Ephesus on his way to Jerusalem but does not stay long, but he leaves Priscilla and Aquila there. When Apollos comes, they are able to help instruct him more perfectly in the gospel and he is an effective witness for the gospel.

In Acts 19 we find Paul returning to Ephesus and asking the believers if they have received the Holy Spirit. They have not yet heard about the Holy Spirit, and so Paul lays hands on them and they receive. When rejected by the Jews in the synagogue, Paul then goes to the gentiles with his message of grace.

He then stay for over two years and ministers mainly to the gentiles since the Jews had rejected his ministry. It seems that this allowed the gospel to be heard all over Asia at that time. “And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.” Acts 19:10. Likely this is an effect of Ephesus being a major city with a lot of commerce and people traveling to and from there all over the known world.

In Acts 19:19 we see a great turning of people to God. They turn from their idolatry and witchcraft and burn their related books and the Word of God grows greatly. 

When we study the letter that Paul wrote to the Ephesian saints, we come to realize that these were more mature saints than those at Corinth. The topics in this letter are a higher understanding of God’s purpose and work in the lives of His children. Paul wants these saints to know some important topics and have a deeper understanding. He even prays for them in this way. Ephesians 1:16-23.

Paul starts this letter the same way he starts most of his letters. With a salutation and his credentials. “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:” Ephesians 1:1. We know who wrote this and we know that Paul has been called by Jesus (apostle). He is the apostle to the gentiles (Galatians 2:7-8).

This is good, because many of the believers in Ephesus were gentiles. And, of course, we are also gentiles. Aren’t you glad God saw fit to call the gentiles to salvation through Jesus Christ as well as the Jews? This amazing fact is exactly what we find as we begin reading this letter.

“Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 1:2.

An important reminder to us the we are here by God’s grace through Jesus. All that we are and all that we have comes to us through God’s grace. Paul uses this greeting in all of his letters. Paul understood personally the importance of God’s grace, because he had experienced it in His own life (1 Timothy 1:12-16). 

As we go through this letter, we will find that Paul reminds us exactly what we are and what we have through Jesus, as well as what God desires to do through us. All through God’s grace. This letter is for those who would desire to mature in their relationship with Jesus. It provides instruction that we need and requires us to truly desire to look closely into it. 

I think that we often read through some of these things quickly and enjoy something on the surface but then fail to dig deeper. God’s Word has much more than can be taken in with a cursory reading. I encourage you to take time to meditate through this letter to the Ephesians so that you can understand what God wants to work in your life. Ephesians 1:17-19.

Bible study in Ephesians will continue.

 Jesus Had to Come

Gordon Crook, Pastor

Grace Assembly, Wichita, Kansas

In December, we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. As we consider His first coming as a baby, I think we need to understand that it was absolutely necessary for Him to come in order to fulfill God’s plan for the redemption of humanity.

From the very beginning, God points to this event, even if not in specific details. We find the first mention of this plan in Genesis 3. “And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” Genesis 3:14-15.

God’s plan has always involved defeating Satan in a complete and final way. I am not claiming to understand the details of how this plan works in terms of God defeating Satan, only that it was God’s plan and He executed it perfectly over a number of centuries. Peter reminds us of this in Acts. “Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.” Acts 2:22-24.

Notice that Jesus was delivered by the foreknowledge of God. Peter also re-iterates this in his letter. “Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,” 1 Peter 1:20. This plan was put in place long before Adam and Eve even existed. Satan had already rebelled against God, and God knew what he would do to His creation, so the plan was already there. 

What is certain, is that Jesus had to come, in the form of a human, for this plan to be complete. “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:5-8.

Jesus would have to live on this earth as a human, without sin, so that He could atone for our sins, and redeem (purchase) us back to God. “For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21. “For such an high priest became us, [who is] holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;” Hebrews 7:26. “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:” 1 Peter 2:22. “And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.” 1 John 3:5.

He would have to be human to be crucified. He was only able to die because He lived in a human body. Fully human even though He was God. God incarnate. “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” 1 Timothy 3:16. “For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.” 2 Corinthians 13:4. The “weakness” through which He was crucified was His human body, not a failure of His divine nature.

Redeeming us from our sinful condition which is the result of Satan’s deception of Eve and perpetuated by Satan’s working in this world was God’s primary concern. He has always intended for humans to be His family and have close fellowship with Himself. Satan has always had a plan to destroy God’s creation and thwart God’s plan. I am glad to know that God prevailed (there should never have been any doubt about that) and He did it openly. “And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” Colossians 2:13-15.

The entirety of Scripture is dedicated to bringing us to this point. So, I will leave you with a few verses to consider.

“Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption. And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.” Psalms 130:7-8

“Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;” Psalms 103:4

“The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.” Psalms 34:22

“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” Romans 3:24

“For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:3-4

“Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:14