Speaking of the mystery revealed by God, that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs (with the Old Testament believers), of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, the apostle Paul wrote; of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power, Ephesians 3:7.

No man can make himself a minister (lit. servant) of God, because the calling, message, work, and empowering of genuine ministry to and for God are His prerogative alone to give.*

Ministry is not a title, a position, or a vocation.  It is a gift from God.

*Notes on Ephesians 3:7 taken from the MacArthur Study Bible NKJV – Copyright 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

One is not a sinner because he sins. He sins because he is a sinner. 

Author Unknown

The real trouble with the unregenerate is that they do not know and understand the truth about sin…..The moment a man understands the true nature and character of sin he becomes troubled about his soul and seeks for a Saviour.  It is the peculiar function of the law to bring such an understanding to a man’s mind and conscience.*

*D. Martin Lloyd-Jones, Romans 7:1 – 8:4 (Banner of Truth, 1973),     p. 114, as cited by Christopher Ash, Discovering the Joy of a Clear Conscience (P&R Publishing, 2014), p. 92.

For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. James 2:10

And, behold, one (rich young ruler) came and said unto him (Jesus), Good Master, what good thing (righteous deed) shall I do, that I may have eternal life?  And he (Jesus) said unto him, why callest thou me good?  There is none good but one, that is, God: 

(Two things from Christ: Are you calling me God?  Are you calling yourself a sinner?)

Jesus continues, but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.  He (the rich young ruler) saith unto him, which?  Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”

(As we learned in an earlier article, the Law is God’s standard to show us that we fall short, that we are all, at best, sinners alienated from God by our sin.)

The young man saith unto him, all these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? (The young ruler was not being honest with himself or with the Lord).

Jesus said unto him, if thou wilt be perfect (the Law demands perfection, so if you are going to achieve eternal life by your righteous deeds, do this…), go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow     me.  But when the young man heard that saying, he went away                                                      sorrowful: for he had great possessions.                                                  Matthew 19:16-22 and Luke 18:9-14

Jesus was looking for a humble admission from the rich young ruler that he could not keep the law and therefore needed God’s mercy. but the rich young ruler held fast to his own merit.

And he (Jesus) spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others.

Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I (Jesus) tell you, this man (the publican) went down to his house justified (acquitted) rather than the other:                                        Luke 18:9-14a

Note: The Pharisees believed in the resurrection, but they elevated tradition and ceremony to a level which overshadowed the Scripture, and promoted their self-righteousness.  Jesus challenged them at every opportunity and condemned them for their hypocrisy.

The publican was a hated and despised tax collector who worked for the Roman government and was considered a traitor by his fellow countrymen.

…let the word of Christ dwell (take up its life) in you richly…

…see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Proverbs 139:24

An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him. Proverbs 17:11

…let the word of Christ dwell (take up its life) in you richly… 

There are only a couple of reasons that a person may be experiencing unanswered prayer. If you are a Christian, the reason you maybe experiencing unanswered prayer is because of unconfessed sin.

If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: Psalm 66:18.

As believers we are to keep short accounts with God.  As soon as we realize a thought, a word, or an action is sin, we are to confess it directly to the Lord.  Confessing one’s sin is to say the same thing about that sin that God says about it.  We are to agree with God against ourselves.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.                     I John 1:9

The remedy for the believer to overcome sin is by hiding God’s Word in his/her heart.  Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalm 119:11

Another reason for unanswered prayer that should be considered is the fact that one may not truly be a Christian.

Christ Himself warned us: Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name?  And in thy name have cast out devils?  And in thy name done many wonderful works?  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matthew 7:22&23

Jesus told Nicodemus: Ye must be born again.

Whosoever is born of God doth not commit (practice) sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot (practice) sin, because he is born of God.                  I John 3:9

A true believer can sin, he just can’t practice sin and/or enjoy it anymore because the Holy Spirit indwells him/her, beginning at salvation.  If your life style is that of practicing sin and God does not discipline you for it, then you have no evidence of having been saved.

Saving faith involves repentance.  Repentance is a changing of the mind about sin and about Jesus.  Saving faith is trust that is placed in Jesus Christ alone.  Nothing that you have done or that the church has done to you can save you.  Salvation is of the Lord!

But as many as received him (Jesus), to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:12&13

…let the word of Christ dwell (take up its life) in you richly…

Praise, my soul, the King of Heaven;
To His feet thy tribute bring.
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
Evermore His praises sing:
Praise Him, praise Him, alleluia!
Praise the everlasting King.

Praise Him for His grace and favor
To our fathers in distress;
Praise Him still the same as ever,
Slow to chide, and swift to bless.
Praise Him, praise Him, alleluia!
Glorious in His faithfulness.

Father like He tends and spares us,
Well our feeble frame He knows;
In His hands He gently bears us,
Rescues us from all our foes.
Praise Him, praise Him, alleluia!
Widely yet His mercy flows.

Frail as summer’s flow’r we flourish,
Blows the wind and it is gone;
But while mortals rise and perish,
Our God lives unchanging on.
Praise Him, praise Him, alleluia!
Praise the high Eternal One!

Angels, help us to adore Him,
Ye behold Him face to face;
Sun and moon, bow down before Him;
Dwellers all in time and space,
Praise Him, praise Him, alleluia!
Praise with us the God of grace.

Henry F. Lyte 1834

Copyright Status is Public Domain

Courtesy of Timeless Truths Publications – Copyright © 2002-2020  Free Online Library

I believe that it is appropriate for those of us who claim to be Christians to ask ourselves; if I am a follower of Christ, do I believe what Jesus believes?  What did He say that would give us clues to what He believes?

When Satan tempted Christ, he (Satan) said;  If (since) you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.  Jesus answered; It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:3&4). The Lord was quoting the Old Testament Scripture. Well over thirty-five hundred times the Old Testament claims to be the Word of God.  

The Old Testament is inextricably woven into what Christ taught.  From Matthew chapter five alone, there are at least forty-three Old Testament passages referenced in His teaching.

One should always consider what Christ has to say about  Scripture.  Many Old Testament accounts that are often pronounced symbolic are actually referred to by the Lord as historical accounts.  Creation, Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, the Flood with Noah and the Ark, and the account of Jonah being swallowed by a great fish are accounts that are often spiritualized and treated as symbolic, but these are accounts that the Lord Jesus acknowledged as historical events.  It is a curious thing that the words of our Saviour can be so readily overlooked or dismissed, considering that He is God and that God cannot lie.

What did Jesus say about Himself?  Jesus told the Pharisees; Before Abraham was, I am.  The Pharisees understood Jesus’ claim to be God and  because they did not believe Him, they accused Him of blasphemy and took up stones to stone Him.  

Jesus speaking: And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.  And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.  Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.  And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. John 5:37-40

Do you believe what Messiah Jesus believes?

…let the word of Christ dwell (take up it’s life) in you richly…

In a previous article entitled The Law we learned that The Law is God’s measuring stick for righteousness and that no one measures up.  We also learned that The Law is a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ.  It is through Jesus Christ alone that we receive the righteousness that God requires.

In a subsequent article  entitled Legalism in the Church, we learned that attempting to achieve salvation by way of circumcision (or any other righteous deed) renders the righteousness of Christ of no effect.  Water baptism has been referred to as the circumcision of the NT.  We found that the apostles Peter & Paul, both refuted circumcision (a righteous deed) as a means to grace, and that both reaffirmed that the righteousness that God accepts, is by grace through faith in Christ alone.

How does that work?

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:5-7

What does the word washing refer to?

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it; that He (Christ) might sanctify and cleanse it (the church) with the washing of water by the word, (Ephesians 5:25&26).

Jesus speaking to Nicodemus; Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. (John 3:7)  The apostle Peter explains how we are born again: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.         I Peter 1:23

For by grace (God’s enabling) are ye saved through faith. (Ephesians 2:8&9)  Faith is a firm persuasion or conviction brought about by hearing and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17)

Definitions are from W.E. Vines Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, Copyright 1984, 1996, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, TN.

Legalism – strict literal adherence to law or a set of rules for salvation.

But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, that it was needful to circumcise them (the Gentiles), and to command them to keep the law of Moses. And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. Acts 15:5-11

Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. Galatians 5:1-6

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 2:8-10

Grace is God’s enabling. Faith is a firm persuasion or conviction brought about by hearing Scripture.

…let the word of Christ dwell (take up its life) in you richly…

Word definitions are from W.E. Vines Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, Copyright 1984, 1996, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, TN.