Saints at Rome

Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake, among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 1:1-7

Paul, formerly Saul of Tarsus, identified himself as the author of this epistle. Though he didn’t walk with Jesus and the other disciples during Jesus’ earthly ministry, He was called and commissioned by the risen Christ on the Damascus Road (Acts chapter 9). There is no Biblical evidence that Paul ever resisted that call or questioned his own apostleship. It was, after all, a sudden and supernatural encounter with the Lord. Saul may have believed he was doing God’s service in persecuting the Church, but meeting Jesus Christ in such a shocking manner corrected that misconception. He was greatly humbled by this new relationship, since he had so fervently fought the existence of the Church when it was born.

Now no longer a proud, fire-breathing Pharisee, he considered himself a slave of Christ Jesus; wholly owned and controlled by the Sovereign Lord of the Universe. As an apostle, he was in full-time service to proclaim the gospel of God. Paul knew that gospel to have been a centuries-old promise of God, through the prophets of the Old Testament. It was all about God’s unique Son, born a perfect human, yet also truly God, through the line of David, Israel’s greatest King. His resurrection from the dead proved that Sonship. Only the power of God could have accomplished that. The facts of His Sonship and His resurrection make Him Lord, with the perfect love to dispense grace on humanity and the complete authority to appoint apostles who will teach His plan to the Gentiles. Yes, Gentiles. That would include citizens of Rome, who were members of the congregation to whom this letter was written. Why were they included in God’s plan? Because God chose to include them, because of Who He is (“His name’s sake”), Almighty, All-powerful, All-wise creator and sustainer of the universe. He, against Whom we have all sinned, and Who has the authority and means to forgive that sin, because it pleases Him to do so.

He has called you too, Roman believers. You are among His beloved. You are saints. There’s that title that many modern believers are afraid to claim, because we think in terms of glowing, plaster miracle-workers. That is not what a saint is. A saint is a holy one. That’s somewhat uncomfortable, too, for us 21st century Christians, because we associate it with haloed perfection. A holy one is one who is set apart unto God. We come in all shapes, sizes, races and occupations. Some of us are obviously living the Christian Way of Life to our best ability. Some may be a little lazy or negligent about the details of Christianity, but if you are a believer in Jesus Christ, you are a saint! Don’t shuffle your feet in false humility. Square your shoulders and look the world in the eye, and proclaim your sainthood. It is not about what you do, it is about Whose you are.

Paul’s greeting to the saints in Rome: “Grace,” unmerited favor from God, through faith in the finished Work of Jesus Christ. Saving grace, keeping grace, logistical grace, dying grace; all from the direct provision of God. And “peace,” God’s Own. We give Him our cares, our fears and our uncertainties. He gives us His perfect peace. The Father’s peace. The Lord Jesus Christ’s peace. Freely given to His saints, because we are His.

The Barrier

God is:
Sovereignty. The absolute ruler of all creation. Daniel 4:35 Deuteronomy 4:39 John 1:3
Absolute Righteousness. Perfectly good. Impossible for God to do wrong. Psalm 119:137, 145:17
Absolute Justice. It is impossible for God to be unfair. Deuteronomy 32:4
Perfect Love. Love free of emotional clutter. He loves because of Who He Is. John 3:16 I John 3:1
Eternal Life. There was never a time God didn’t exist. Never a time He will not exist. Exodus 15:18
Omniscient. Omni: all. Science: knowledge. God has always known all things. Hebrews 4:13
Omnipresent. In every place at all times. Revelation 3:20 Joshua 1:9 Psalm 139:8 Jeremiah 23:24
Omnipotent. All power. Matthew 19:26 Revelation 19:6 Psalm 115:3
Veracity. Perfect truth. The embodiment of truth. Psalm 33:4, 146:6 Deuteronomy 32:4
Immutable: Does not change. His purpose never changes. Hebrews 13:8 James 1:17

This is God’s character, or essence. All three persons of the Godhead have that same essence. Forever.

Man is: none of those things. Our righteousness is relative, not absolute. Our life is temporal, not eternal. Since Adam’s sin, we are born in his likeness, with an old sin nature and under the penalty of death. In Adam all die, I Corinthians 15:22. Our whole cell structure is tainted with sin. That makes us unacceptable to God. There is a barrier between God and man, which natural man cannot penetrate. The barrier must be removed by a sinless human in order for us to have fellowship with God. There are six bricks in this barrier:

Sin, the penalty of sin, physical birth, our relative righteousness, the character of God, our position in Adam.

God's solutions for these problems are the doctrines of: atonement, redemption, expiation, regeneration, imputation, justification propitiation and positional truth.

Atonement: I John 2:2 2 Peter 2:1
Redemption I Corinthians 1:29-30 Colossians 1:14
Expiation Colossians 2:14
Regeneration John 3:3 Galatians 3:26 John 1:11-12
Imputation Romans 3:22 2 Corinthians 5:21
Justification Romans 3:24 Romans 5:1
Propitiation I John 2:2 Romans 3:25
Positional Truth I John 5:11 John 3:36

Romans chapters 1 and 2 describe unregenerate man as a-heathen, b-self-righteous, c-religious (described by Jesus as “whited sepulchers" in Matthew 17). All three categories are inadequate for relationship with God. God’s “glory” is His essence.

We are made righteous by Jesus. Salvation is free for us because He paid. Romans 3:24
Propitiation means substitute. In Hebrew it is the same word as mercy seat. God publicly displayed Jesus and poured out all our sins on Him.

The mercy seat was a throne in the Holy of Holies on top of the Ark of the Covenant, which contained 1-the broken table of the law, 2-Aaron’s rod that budded, and 3-a pot of manna. All three symbolize sin inside the box. The box represents Jesus Christ. It is made of wood, for His humanity, overlaid with gold, for His deity. Atop the box is a solid gold throne. The cherubs on each side of the throne represent Righteousness and Justice. On the day of atonement, the priest killed a lamb, caught its blood in a bowl and sprinkled the blood on the throne. The cherubim (Righteousness and Justice) looked on the blood and were satisfied (see also blog post God’s Solution, January 8, 2012).

We are born behind the impenetrable barrier caused by our inborn sin. There is nothing we can do about it. God made a way, and sent the Savior. The barrier is removed by the finished work of Jesus Christ. This work was foreshadowed and illustrated to God’s people through the Levitical priesthood and offerings for many generations, before the sinless Lamb of God was born. He lived a sinless life and received our sins in His own body for our redemption. Eternal life is free because He paid.

Something Better

These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. Hebrews 11:39-40

"These:" the elders in vss 4-38.

Better than what? Better than the old sacrificial system, whereby the Levitical priest was required to bring an offering for the atonement of his own sins before he could bring an offering for the sins of the people. Better than the system that kept God separated in the Holy of Holies from the people, by a heavy veil which could only be entered into once each year by the High Priest, carrying a blood offering to represent the people. Better than the annual animal sacrifice that represented the once-for-all time atonement that would be accomplished by the One Perfect Savior. Better than a religious system whereby rituals and sacrifices had to be repeated over and over, year by year, generation by generation; to teach the people about the need for continual cleansing of their sins. Better than the promise of real estate and progeny to continue the line of God’s people in the earth.

Those things were necessary for a time, to teach the people about their problem with sin and to demonstrate God’s solution for sin. However, that system did not provide the solution, because it operated in and through sinful human beings. They were elementary teaching tools, practiced by imperfect teachers who were in their priestly positions by physical birth, not by spiritual anointing. Those human priests would also physically die and had to be replaced by new generations of human priests. There was coming an eternal Priest, Who not only would personally atone for the sins, He would also live forever to make intercession for His redeemed people. They, Israel, have had to wait for us, the Church, because in their age the promise had not been fulfilled.

All those ancient patriarchs and historical characters saw the promise of a Savior afar off, but didn’t live to realize His coming. We, the Church, have realized His coming, and His perfect fulfillment of the plan of God. We now rest our faith on that completed one-time atonement, finished by the sinless Son of God. We now have instant, constant access to God through the indwelling Holy Spirit. No veil stands in our way. Jesus purchased our salvation once and for all time by the offering of His own blood, obtained by the crushing weight of all our sins on the cross.

Now they and we await a second coming of our Lord for His own. There will be real estate for Abraham’s offspring, and it will be far greater in scope and in grandeur than Canaan, but it is yet future. The promise of spiritual completion (made perfect), though, has been realized by us and by them, who waited and watched faithfully all those many generations. They believed what they had been taught about their sin and believed in God’s solution. We believe what we are taught about our sin and have experienced God’s solution. It is finished. The eternal rewards are still future for all of God’s people, but He has them in storage for us and for the faithful who have gone before. We and they will receive them at God’s perfect time.

Faith In Action

And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. Hebrews 11:32-38

There have been so many who went before us on the pilgrimage of faith. The writer of The Letter to the Hebrew Christians indicated he could go on and on, but needed to state the principle and move on with his doctrinal exposition. There are accounts of numerous people of God; some heroic, some low-profile, who accomplished great things for their people by believing and obeying God’s Word in their particular circumstances. Well, he mentioned them, so we should at least get an idea who they were.

Gideon was an unlikely warrior whom God commissioned to deliver his people from the marauding Midianites. To prove it was God’s work and not man’s, Gideon’s army was reduced to 300 commandos, who defeated an overwhelmingly superior force. Judges 6-8

Barak headed up a punitive raid against a Canaanite chief, by request of Deborah, who was a Judge of Israel at the time. Judges 4,5

Samson, Judges 13-16, is one of the favorite Bible heroes to children. He was dedicated as a Nazarite by his parents. That required not shaving or cutting the hair, and total abstinence from alcohol. Samson was driven by his lusts, however, and became emotionally entangled with the harlot Delilah. She wheedled him into revealing that if his hair was cut, he’d lose his strength. Of course, she cut his hair and gave him over to the Philistines who made a helpless, blinded fool of him.
Samson’s strength was not in his hair. It was God’s gift to him. His hair was simply a symbol of his commitment to God’s will. The commitment went by the wayside when Delilah tempted Samson, and he became a whimpering weakling. He repented, though, and for the months he was imprisoned the hair grew. The Philistines brought him out for exhibition at a party, and that was Samson’s opportunity to destroy the temple of Dagon, kill himself and 1,000 Philistines in one final act of valor.

Jephthah was an outcast, a Robin Hood of a sort, when Israel needed a deliverer in the war with Ammon. His leadership of Israel was not a matter of pride to them, but of humiliation. He made a rash and unnecessary vow before a major battle, not knowing that his daughter would be the object of his keeping that vow. It reads like a human sacrifice, but the sacrifice was that she would never marry, which was a fate worse than death to a Jewish woman. Judges 11: 34-39. Jephthah was acting under the Spirit of God (v.29, 31). God did not require the killing of his daughter, nor would God have accepted that sacrifice. This incident is not the point of the commentary in Hebrews, but it is part of Jephthah’s story. These “heroes” of faith were mere men and women. They had old sin natures with areas of strength and weakness. Most of their stories lay bare all their flaws, as well as virtues. They knew God as their LORD and did their best, usually, to please Him. It was God’s faithfulness to His People that sustained them in their challenges. It was their faith in God that enabled them to face those challenges with inner courage and fortitude.

There was David, Israel’s greatest king, a man after God’s own heart. He grew from a youthful shepherd to become a mighty warrior and wise king. He had his famous flaws, but knew and loved God and understood the principle of repentance. He conquered nations and established orderly government after the failure of King Saul. He also wrote beautiful Psalms that we all love to memorize and quote. Jesus, the Messiah, was descended from David.

Samuel was the last Judge and first prophet of Israel. He had been dedicated to God by his mother and raised by Eli, the priest. After the period of the Judges left Israel without centralized leadership, they demanded a king. Samuel was the prophet who anointed that king, Saul. When Saul failed in his duty, Samuel anointed David to succeed Saul. Samuel was a great patriot of Israel and faithful spokesman for God, and was instrumental in the formation of Israel as a nation. I and II Samuel, I and II Kings and I and II Chronicles tell the stories of Samuel and David.

These mentioned by name were some of the well-known figures in Israel’s history, whose stories were told in every generation. Hebrews 11:36-38 Tells of many “others” who suffered persecution and death for their faith. Faith is the unifying and energizing force that motivates God’s elect.

God’s people are common, ordinary folk from all walks of life who believe in the One Who Provides. Why wouldn’t we? He always has.

Joshua's Absurd Victory

By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace. Hebrews 11:30-31

It is one thing to have ownership of a property, quite another to take possession of it. The land of Canaan belonged to the children of Israel by God’s unconditional covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It was theirs, forever. To enjoy the benefits of that land, though, the condition was to go in and possess it. We are forever saved by believing in the finished Work of our Lord Jesus Christ. To realize the spiritual blessings of our position IN CHRIST, we must yield our lives to the control of the Holy Spirit day by day, while we grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord. The gift is immediate, the possession is gradual, and involves conflict with the world, the flesh and the devil. The eternal position is ours. The temporal possession is ours to win.

The possession of Canaan was accomplished by a series of battles, in which God instructed a great man of faith, Joshua, son of Nun. He had been born in Egypt and came out with his people under Moses’ leadership. He was one of the spies Moses had sent into Canaan, to see what the land was like, before they went in. He was one of two (out of 12) that had a positive report and expected to conquer the “giants” that so frightened the others.

When Moses was about to die without having entered the land, he commissioned Joshua to lead the people on in, because he totally trusted Joshua’s judgment and courage. Moses knew God and he knew Joshua, and had no doubt this was the man for the job. Joshua had no moments of squeamish second-guessing. What God ordered, Joshua would do. So city by city, they began to take possession of the Land of Promise. As they made their advance into the territory, the inhabitants were terrified of them. Joshua had sent spies into Jericho, a strongly fortified city. Jericho’s people knew they were coming and locked it down. No one in, no one out. The men met a harlot named Rahab. She helped them to hide, and told them: “I know that the LORD has given you the land, and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before you. For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. When we heard it, our hearts melted and no courage remained in any man any longer because of you; for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. Joshua 2:9-11

When the time came to take Jericho, God gave Joshua a very peculiar battle strategy.
The LORD said to Joshua, “See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and the valiant warriors. You shall march around the city, all the men of war circling the city once. You shall do so for six days. Also seven priests shall carry seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark; then on the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. It shall be that when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people will go up every man straight ahead.”
Joshua 6:2-5

Joshua didn’t stammer or question the plan. He ordered his soldiers to do exactly as the Lord had instructed. What a strange procession that must have been! Those fierce soldiers silently marching once around the city walls each day. How totally terrified the Jericho dwellers must have been, watching. It might have been comical, if it weren’t so eerie. Then, on the seventh day, seven laps, and then the blasts from the trumpets and a great shout. Down came the walls. The city was destroyed and placed under a curse, and everyone living there was killed, except Rahab and her family, who were given asylum with Israel.

Joshua knew the faithfulness of God to fulfill His promises. Rahab knew the provision of God for His people. Joshua’s faith conquered a fortified city. Rahab’s faith preserved her and her family alive.

For those who find the manner of possessing the land barbaric and hard to accept as a policy of God, the reason was clearly given to Israel as they were preparing to enter the land in Deuteronomy chapter 9:

“Do not say in your heart when the LORD your God has driven them out before you, ‘Because of my righteousness the LORD has brought me in to possess this land,’ but it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the LORD is dispossessing them before you. It is not for your righteousness or for the uprightness of your heart that you are going to possess their land, but it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the LORD your God is driving them out before you, in order to confirm the oath which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
“Know, then, it is not because of your righteousness that the LORD your God is giving you this good land to possess, for you are a stubborn people. Deuteronomy 9:4-6

That’s why, when a Bible teacher says a nation’s wickedness will bring about the destruction of that nation, he knows what he is talking about. The nation that despises God will not endure. Ignore this truth at your own peril.

It is a matter of identity. Whose are you? Joshua had grown up knowing that. Rahab quickly figured it out. The world’s charms and pleasures are nothing compared to the confidence of identifying with Jehovah, LORD of the Armies.

Moses' Decisions

By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. Hebrews 11:23

Exodus Chapters 1-2: By the time of Moses’ birth, oppression of the enslaved Hebrews was the current Pharaoh’s policy. The Jews were multiplying, and he was afraid they would become a force against him. We call this bigotry, in the 21st century. He was not concerned about their heritage (who’s Joseph?), and ordered the killing of all Hebrew male babies as they were born. The Hebrew midwives refused to do it, and Pharaoh then ordered all Egyptians to kill the male Hebrew babies. Moses’ parents, being faithful believers in God, were very pleased with their baby boy and decided to keep him hidden for three months, then placed him in a basket, hiding it among the reeds along the river. Moses’ sister watched while Pharaoh’s daughter discovered the child and offered to hire a wetnurse for him. Of course, the nurse was Moses’ own mother. She took care of the child until he was considered old enough to go and live with his adoptive Egyptian family. God had big plans for Moses, but his parents could not have known how big.

By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward. Hebrews 11:24-26

Moses knew about his Hebrew origins and was keenly aware of the ill treatment of his people by the Egyptians. In anger one day, he killed an Egyptian. Apparently he was known to be the killer, so he went into exile for many years, and from this point he identified completely with his Hebrew people. As an Egyptian prince, he would have had a life of ease and luxury, even authority, with his royal adopted family. Those worldly pleasures were not worth denying his people, however, so he left it all behind, placing his trust in the God of his fathers, even though he knew this would bring him abuse.

By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen. Hebrews 11:27

During this period of exile, Moses was called and commissioned by God, the “I AM,” to lead His people out of Egypt. This involved a series of horrendous plagues on Egypt, as the Pharaoh continually refused to allow the Hebrews to leave. The final plague was the crusher of Pharaoh’s ego: the death of the firstborn, described in Exodus 12:29. The Hebrew households which obeyed the instructions for the Passover escaped this plague. The order was to kill an unblemished lamb, sprinkle its blood on the doorposts and lintel (forming a cross), eat the roasted meat (signifying faith) while fully dressed for travel, staying inside the house until the death angel passed over. Exodus 11-12 clearly spell out the details, all of which symbolize the coming savior, Who would die for the sin of the World. Every food, every preparation, every action performed by those Jews that night signified their security in the Lord’s care, and foreshadowed the perfect person and finished work of Jesus Christ.

By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that he who destroyed the firstborn would not touch them. By faith they passed through the Red Sea as though they were passing through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were drowned. Hebrews 11:28-29

Exodus 14:23-31: After the deaths of all the Egyptian firstborn, even their cattle, Pharaoh couldn’t get the Jews out of Egypt fast enough, so he ordered them out, but then reneged and chased them as they crossed the Red Sea on dry ground. The sea was no longer dry for Pharaoh’s armies, though, so the waters fell on them and they drowned.

It seems every 40 years of his life, Moses had a major challenge. He endured his stresses with patience and courage, because he knew the Lord of Life. God had preserved him in his infancy. God had protected him as he grew up in privilege. Moses never forgot his heritage. God was waiting for him out at Mt. Horeb, speaking out of that burning bush to appoint him the deliverer of His people.

Moses, by faith, became the courageous representative of “I AM,” the perfect, self-existing One, Whose plan and purpose for this people would bring blessing to all the families of the earth.

Moses’ faith enabled him to make the right decisions. Pharaoh let the people go.

The Bones of Joseph

By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones. Hebrews 11:22

Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die, but God will surely take care of you and bring you up from this land to the land which He promised on oath to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob.” Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear, saying, “God will surely take care of you, and you shall carry my bones up from here.” So Joseph died at the age of one hundred and ten years; and he was embalmed and placed in a coffin in Egypt. Genesis 50:24-26

Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had made the sons of Israel solemnly swear, saying, “God will surely take care of you, and you shall carry my bones from here with you.” Exodus 13:19

Joseph was Jacob’s favorite son. Jacob already had ten sons by Leah, Leah’s servant-girl and Rachael’s servant-girl before Rachel was ever able to conceive. Rachel was Jacob’s favorite wife. Theirs is a rather sordid story. Rachel’s father, Laban was at least as conniving as Jacob, and he had tricked Jacob into marrying Rachel’s older sister first. These Old Testament women seemed to have a practice of using their female servants as surrogates to conceive and bear children for their husbands. It was an unsatisfactory substitute, in the cases we are told about. Nevertheless, these were all sons of Jacob; but when Joseph was born, he became the center of his father’s world. We would expect the older sons to be jealous. Genesis chapter 30 gives us the story of Joseph’s birth. Then chapters 37-50 tell about the life of Joseph and his rise to power in Egypt.

Even more than the obvious favoritism, Joseph possessed special gifts of spiritual perception, and was an interpreter of dreams. In his dreams as a youth, he was portrayed as superior to his brothers, who would someday bow to him as an authority. He was a good boy, but apparently couldn’t resist telling his dreams. This incensed his brothers, who schemed to get rid of him. When the opportunity came, they convinced Jacob that Joseph had been devoured by a wild beast. They had actually sold Joseph into slavery, when a caravan came by going to Egypt.

In Egypt, Joseph’s special gifts and high integrity combined to make him second in command to Pharaoh. He was given total control of the economy of Egypt at a time when all the surrounding lands were in famine. Eventually, Jacob and his sons had to relocate to Egypt to escape the famine in Canaan. They were in submission to Joseph, whom they did not recognize, and he put them through the ringer. Not maliciously, really, because he was happy to see them. He was ecstatic to see his little brother Benjamin, and Jacob, when they came. Joseph arranged to have his family stay in Egypt with their herds, and make their life there.

Even though the brothers had done a terrible thing to Joseph, he had forgiven them. He knew God had protected and promoted him, in spite of their ill will at the time of the misdeed. God had a plan for Joseph and for Israel that included their stay in Egypt, and those early men of faith understood the principle of Romans 8:28, “all things work together for good to those who love God and are the called according to His purpose.” Joseph had no doubt that this was the direct will of God for him and his family. Genesis 45:5-8 clearly spells out Joseph’s divine viewpoint, “God sent me before you to preserve life….it was not you who sent me here, but God.”

That Pharaoh was kind to the Hebrews because of Joseph, and they did very well in Egypt for many generations afterward. At age 110, Joseph was dying, and he made his family swear they would not bury him in Egypt. He knew they would someday return to Canaan, the land of promise, and when they went, he wanted his bones to go with them. His body was embalmed and placed in a mummy case and kept above ground for the coming centuries, as a memorial.

The next Pharaohs were not as benevolent toward the Hebrews. They became enslaved and oppressed for a time, but they always had Joseph’s memorial as a reminder of Whose they were, where they had come from and where they would return someday. This was before the Bible was written. They had the oral history of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their covenant with God. The Hebrew parents would tell their children about the patriarchs and the promises, and they had the visible sarcophagus as an encouragement for their faith. “Our father Joseph knew that our people would go out of Egypt someday, back to the land God gave our father Abraham. When we go, we will take Joseph’s bones with us.” It became their tangible symbol of God’s perfect Word.

The faith that Joseph represented not only stabilized him for all his life in a foreign land, it also stabilized his people, as it gave each generation of Jews a confidence (hope) in their future, as the people of God. They had the bones of Joseph for the duration of their time in Egypt, and all those years they had to wander after the exodus, they had those bones with them.

Those bones represented the grace provision of God, the certain fulfillment of God’s promises, and the sovereign authority of the God who “sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant in the earth, and to keep you alive by a great deliverance.” Genesis 45:7

Joseph knew the character of God. He believed the promises of God. He fully expected that God would “visit” the Hebrews and deliver them out of slavery someday. He made plans accordingly.

That was the faith of Joseph.

Jacob's Legacy

By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. Hebrews 11:21

Jacob was the younger son of Isaac and Rebekah. Isaac was the only son of Abraham and Sarah. Abraham was the first Hebrew, having been made righteous by believing God while in his native country, Chaldea, and obeying God’s instruction to go where God would lead. Abraham’s son Isaac, the son of promise, also was a believer in God’s provision and was a Hebrew. Ishmael, the son of Abraham by Hagar, remained an Arab; a Gentile unbeliever. Isaac’s younger son, Jacob, became a believer in God’s provision and was a Hebrew. Esau rejected that faith and remained a Gentile unbeliever. In the history of Israel, a Hebrew is a descendant of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The descendants of Ishmael and Esau are not Hebrews, even though they are descended from Abraham. The difference was based on faith in God, and it was through these faithful ones that the Messiah was to come.

These early Hebrews knew the character of God, believed His promises and depended on His provision for their lives. That was the basis of their righteousness, the righteousness which belongs to God. God preserves, protects, and blesses His own, and severely disciplines those who revile and oppress His own. He has the authority to do this because He IS the Sovereign of the universe Who IS all righteousness, justice, love, eternal life, power, knowledge, presence, truth and is never-changing. That is His character. What He has promised, He will provide. His plan, policy and purpose for His people: always Grace.

Jacob’s whole life is a study in grace. He was the second-born of the son of promise, Isaac. The birthright, by tradition, should have gone to Esau. It wasn’t important to Esau, and Jacob took advantage of an opportunity to swindle Esau out of it. Then, because of Esau’s anger, Jacob went into exile, to work for his uncle Laban. Swindler. Opportunist. Always watching for the advantage. This is not the description of a nice man. God had made a covenant with his grandfather, Abraham and his father Isaac, though, and Jacob figured in. He was to be a link in the chain of faith, and he had an appointment with Jesus Christ at Bethel.

Genesis 28: Alone and tired, Jacob slept and had a dream of a ladder to heaven, with angels ascending and descending. The Lord was atop that ladder, and spoke to Him, confirming the covenant He had made with Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 12 and 25, promising land, multitudes of offspring, divine personal protection and continued blessing for himself, and blessing to “all the families of the earth” through “thy seed.”

From that point on, Jacob knew he belonged to God, and that whatever befell him was God’s will for him. Many years passed, many life experiences occurred, and twelve sons were born to Jacob, who had been renamed Israel, “Prince of God.” He didn’t always behave with the best of integrity, but he never forgot Whose he was, and upon whom all his life depended. Because of famine in Caanan, Jacob and all his sons relocated to Egypt, where Jacob eventually died. By this time, he was reunited with Joseph, whom he though had been long dead. Joseph had two sons: Manasseh and Ephraim. Jacob asked Joseph to bring the sons to him for his final blessing.

He was old and blind, and had to prop on his staff with which he had made his journeys. He made Joseph’s sons equal with his own sons, and did an interesting thing: even though he knew the birth order of the boys, he deliberately gave Ephraim the blessing of the firstborn, saying “the younger brother shall be greater, and his descendants shall become a multitude of nations.

Again, the pattern of grace. Nevermind what tradition dictates. God’s plan is grace. God’s policy is grace. God chooses His people, to represent His grace in the earth. Human good does not have to approve. Human intellect cannot understand. Human works can never compare. Human nature has no basis for judgment of God’s grace.

Grace cannot be earned. It is given. It is received. It is believed, and becomes the faith by which we live and breathe. Adam and Eve learned that, and Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and they became the conduits through whom faith was passed down to us, who are saved by the same grace as they: the gift of God, not of works.

None of us can boast.

Isaac's Blessing

By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come. Hebrews 11:20

The “things to come” were those promises and prophecies of the future of God’s people, and the roles the sons of Isaac would play in the rise to prominence of the Hebrew nation. Isaac’s faith was in God’s promise to his father, Abraham, before Isaac was born. Abraham was to become the father of many nations, but “through Isaac shall your seed be called,” Genesis 21:12. Isaac carried the line of faith—those who would hear and believe God’s Word, and identify themselves as the people of God. They would dwell in the land God had given them for an inheritance. He lived and died with that expectation.

Genesis 26: When twins Esau and Jacob were conceived in Rebekah’s womb, God told her they would always be in conflict with each other, and that the younger-born one (Jacob) would “supplant” his firstborn brother. Time went by, the boys grew into men, and their personalities proved true to God’s prophecy. Esau, the firstborn, didn’t really value the heritage of the firstborn’s legal birthright, so when he came in hungry from an all-day hunt, he was willing to bargain away the birthright for a bowl of Jacob’s soup. Jacob took advantage of his impuslive brother, yes, but at least to Jacob the birthright meant something special, and it meant nothing to Esau. It held deep spiritual meaning, and Esau was a worldling.

Genesis 27: Esau was Isaac’s favorite, and Rebekah loved Jacob best. Rebekah was well aware of the prophecy God had made regarding her sons. When Isaac was approaching death and had gone blind, he summoned Esau to bring him a freshly prepared venison dish and receive his blessing. Rebekah decided to intervene, so she manipulated Jacob into deceiving his father to receive the blessing of the firstborn, instead. This was quite an undertaking, but the two managed to make Isaac believe he was blessing Esau with predominance over his brothers, abundant wealth, divine blessings on his supporters and retribution on his detractors; repeating God’s promise of protection and provision to Abraham.

The importance of this blessing was its binding nature. The patriarch called the shots in those days, and what he declared for his children was the way it would be. God knew in eternity past how these two sons would conflict, and which one would be the link of faith in their generation. It was not because Jacob was good (he wasn’t), but because he believed in the promised birthright. Esau cried in remorse (not repentance), and pleaded with his father to change it, or at least add something special for him. Isaac stood by the blessing he had pronounced to Jacob, which made Esau the lesser, and a very angry man.

There is a familiar pattern here. We first saw it with Cain and Abel, and it is teaching us that it is the comprehension of God’s provision that makes the difference in our relationship to Him. No matter how humanly “good” a person is, if he doesn’t understand and appreciate God’s spiritual truths, he cannot partake of God’s spiritual riches. He who “despises the birthright” cannot expect to receive it (Genesis 26:34). He’s likely to whine and cry, though, when the blessing has passed him by.

Faith is knowing God’s character and believing God’s Word. Isaac blessed his sons according to what he knew of God’s character and God’s Word, and in the following generations God’s character and God’s Word would guide and protect Abraham’s seed until the coming of the Messiah.

Progression of Faith

All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11:13-16

Humans are born, grow old and die, and new humans are born, in the life–cycles of our race. Each new generation brings fresh opportunities to hear and believe the gospel, learn the Word of God and grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Some historical periods have brought extremely long life spans, and others have been comparatively short, but God is the same throughout all, and His policy of grace never changes.

In every generation, God has had a people who identified with Him, believed and depended upon Him for their sustenance; who knew their security was entirely based on His perfect provision. Even in times of great calamity on His people, He has maintained a remnant for His Name. He knows who they are. They know Whose they are. They continue to trust in His Word, no matter what circumstances come their way. Since very early in the life of Earth, mankind has had some oral or written record of God’s plan and purpose for His people. As time continues, the record grows. We trust God because of what we know about God. He keeps His promises.

Each generation of believers, having known and trusted God, and having obeyed as best they could His instruction, has died. Each generation of believers has known about a land of promise, bringing great bountiful blessings, eternal life, peace and prosperity to God’s people. Each generation has seen many great blessings in time, but all have known that these temporal joys are not the promise. The promise is still future. The promise has not changed. The One who promised has not changed.

Each believer in Jesus Christ has come out of his native country (the devil's world), following God’s calling to the land of promise. IN CHRIST, we are secure on this journey and we know it, and whatever hardships or misunderstandings or enemies we encounter along the way do not discourage us from our anticipated destination. If we did not want to go, we would have been allowed to return to the satanic squalor from which we came. The truth is, nobody really wants to go back there. That's not home anymore. We have been changed. We are new species. Aliens in a foreign land, travelling toward that heavenly country that awaits our arrival.

Those who looked forward to the coming of Messiah to redeem mankind were saved by their belief that He was real and He would atone for the sins of the world. We who look back to the death, burial and resurrection of Messiah are saved by that same knowledge. God is not limited by time as we humans are. The atonement was an accomplished fact in the mind of God when he gave our first parents those animal skins for covering. It is now a historical fact for us in the Church age. Same event. Same salvation. Same faith.

They knew He would come in glory to claim His own and renew the earth one day. We know that, too. Now they and we are awaiting that glorious day. It is an accomplished fact in the mind of God.

God has promised. God will bring it to pass.

Abraham's Sojourn

By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised. Therefore there was born even of one man, and him as good as dead at that, as many descendants AS THE STARS OF HEAVEN IN NUMBER, AND INNUMERABLE AS THE SAND WHICH IS BY THE SEASHORE. Hebrews 11:8-12

By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; it was he to whom it was said, “IN ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS SHALL BE CALLED. Hebrews 11:17-18

When he was called, Abraham was Abram, living in Ur of the Chaldeans (Genesis 11: 28). Ur was a wealthy, prosperous pagan center. The name Abram means “exalted father.” He was perhaps a prominent leader in the area. We know God made contact with Abram in Ur and instructed him to leave that country and “go to the land which I will show you;” Genesis 12:1-4:

And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing; And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”

So Abram went forth as the LORD had spoken to him; and Lot went with him. Now Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.

God chooses His people. He chose Abram, who must have been positive to the reality of God, but showed no indication of familiarity with God at the time he was called (appointed). This seventy-five-year old, however, was about to become the progenitor of God’s chosen people. There was about to be a new dispensation, introducing a new race of humanity; the Hebrews. They would be a people who identified with God, and He had major plans for that race. The Savior would come through them.

We have no evidence of any “good works” Abram had to his credit, but God had a purpose in mind for this man, and Abram responded in faith, by going forth “as the LORD had spoken to him.” This was not a two-week relocation event. Abram and his family and entourage lived in tents, as aliens in a foreign land, for generations, not settling in convenient surroundings, but seeking that place where God wanted him to be. Sarai, whose name means “contentious,” was barren, and they were getting old, yet God promised them not only a son, but a great nation of offspring.

Before they arrived at “the land,” before there was a son, before they had really even learned how to properly relate to God, He had made those promises to His chosen: great nation, personal blessing, good reputation, divine protection, divine retribution on those who revile you, blessings will flow from you, even to all the families of the earth. This to a man who had done nothing but hear, believe and obey.

Abraham would go through many trials and adjustments as he followed God’s plan for his life. He didn’t always do the right thing. Sometimes he reverted to human viewpoint, in his frustration and confusion about just how God would fulfill those promises to him and Sarah. They had a couple of incidents in Egypt, when Abe lied about Sarah to protect himself. Then there was that unfortunate “help God” project, when they took advantage of Hagar and Ishmael was produced. Not good.

Those things did not change the fact of Abraham’s righteousness. His righteousness did not ever depend on what he did or didn’t do. He was righteous because he believed God, and he demonstrated his belief by following God’s directions, even though he had no idea where it would lead. He continued to believe God and obey the best he knew, and he grew in grace. At about one hundred years old, God confirmed the promise of a son, to “him who was as good as dead (sexually).” Sarah had become “Princess” and Isaac (“Laughter”) was born.

After fifty years of real spiritual progress interspersed with manipulative muddlings, we find Abraham in Genesis 22 as a magnificent, noble, obedient FRIEND OF GOD (James 2:23). Such faith as Abraham had developed by the time he reached old age needed to be tested, proved, demonstrated; to Abraham…to Isaac…to you and me.

God’s personal sacrifice for us, the degree of His love for us needed a foreshadowing to give us an everlasting example of how far His grace would go to redeem mankind. We are an emotional race. We are also generally ungrateful. Any parent reading Genesis 22 has to be stunned and horrified by Abraham’s willingness to follow through on this command. How could he do this?
Answer: Abraham KNEW God.

God’s will is perfect. His way is perfect. Whatever He has in mind for me and my son has a holy purpose and will result in our blessing. Nothing is too great for El Shaddai. Thy will be done.

Genesis 22:5 ”…I and the lad will go yonder; and WE WILL WORSHIP AND RETURN TO YOU.”

Hebrews 11:19 “He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type.” (of Christ)

Genesis 22:14 “Abraham called the name of that place The LORD Will Provide, as it is said to this day, “In the mount of the LORD it will be provided.”

We call it Calvary.

Noah's Obedience

By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. Hebrews 11:6

Genesis chapter 6 describes a population explosion in the earth, producing an excess of beautiful women. In verse 2, the “sons of God” refers to angels. Fallen angels, actually, who watched and lusted after the beautiful human women and began to choose among them for the purpose of copulation (Jude 6). Jesus made it clear in Matthew 22:30 that procreation between the angelic and human species is no longer possible, but in those early centuries the demons were capable of it, and took full advantage. The result: a race of super-humans in the earth.

Genesis 6:4, “giants:” nephalim. Not just large in stature. More than human. This posed many problems, chief among which was the eventual corruption of the whole human race. The human race had to remain truly human, in order for the promised savior to be born truly human. The second Adam, who was to die for the sin of the world must be the same species as the first Adam, who originated the sin of the world.

This angelic infiltration was a Satanic attack on the human race. He began with Eve in the garden and continues throughout human history, trying to sabotage God’s plan by corrupting humanity. If he could have prevented Jesus from being born truly human, there could have been no perfect atonement.

Wickedness abounded and multiplied through the influence of these demonic half-humans, to the point that God changed His policy (repented) toward mankind. He decided to blot out all living creatures and start over. This seems very harsh to modern mankind, but we must realize that the demon infiltration had corrupted not only the human race, but also the animal population. If you know anything at all about occult practices, you can think this through. I will not dwell on it here. Suffice it to say the earth had to be purged.

But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.

These are the records of the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time; Noah walked with God. Genesis 6:8-9

“blameless” means Noah was a man of integrity. And there’s that phrase again: he “walked with God.” That is a great testimony about a man living in the chaotic environment of his time. In spite of his evil surroundings, Noah kept in fellowship with God.

In order to preserve and continue the true human race, God told Noah to prepare an ark for his family and breeding stock of all the animals. It was going to rain, though it hadn’t before (Genesis 2:5-6), and flood the whole earth. Their survival and that of the air-breathing animals depended on that ark. God gave specifications for the ark. It was not a boat that could be steered, but a rectangular box that would float, until the waters subsided.

The ark was a type of Christ. In the ark, God’s people were kept safe and carried through the great calamity that destroyed everything else. As Enoch's disappearance was a type of rapture, Noah's ark experience seems to be a type of restored Israel's survival through the coming great tribulation. The Hebrew word for “pitch” means atonement. Atonement keeps out judgment.

Noah knew God had the power and authority to do exactly what He said He would do. Noah believed God would protect those who honored Him. Noah paid attention to the instructions God gave him, and obeyed. His obedience proved his faith. He had lots of history with God and His people. He hadn’t seen rain or a flood, but God said it was coming, so Noah prepared. It took 120 years (verse 3). For all those years, Noah and his sons built the ark and witnessed to their neighbors that the flood was coming. The people ignored the warnings and accelerated their wickedness.

The wicked earth-dwellers were condemned by their unbelief. Noah’s witness to them offered God’s grace, but they rejected. When God gave the command, Noah and his family entered the ark, along with all the animals God summoned to enter, and “the LORD shut him in.” Noah just built the ark, and stocked it with food. God called in the animals, and God shut the door. That was not a decision Noah had to make.

The great flood came and destroyed all the corrupted beings on the earth, and a truly human family began to replenish the race. God always allows a period of grace before judgment. Noah’s story clearly demonstrates this principle.

Noah’s was righteous because of his faith. The line of Christ was preserved through this true human with real integrity, who believed God and obeyed.

Enoch's Translation

By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; AND HE WAS NOT FOUND BECAUSE GOD TOOK HIM UP; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God. And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. Hebrews 11:5-6

Who was Enoch? He was a grandson of Adam through Seth. The Bible tells us very little about him, except that he was the father of Methuselah. Everyone knows who Methuselah was. He lived 969 years, the longest lifespan of anyone we’ve heard of. Enoch, however, is the one being recognized here for his faith. This tells us a great deal, really. In those very ancient times there was no Mosaic Law, no Abrahamic covenant yet. The knowledge Enoch’s generation had about God had to have come directly from Adam’s and Eve’s and Seth’s testimonies of God’s dealings with His humans. This was entirely possible, because those first humans lived hundreds of years, and could have instructed many generations of offspring. God also, in those days, did make direct contact with His people and teach them Himself.

Enoch lived sixty-five years, and became the father of Methuselah. Then Enoch walked with God three hundred years after he became the father of Methuselah, and he had other sons and daughters. So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him. Genesis 5:21-24

Enoch’s earthly sojourn was cut short, at year 365, because of His close relationship (walk) with God. We who believe the Church will be snatched away at God’s chosen time see Enoch as a forerunner of this event. He didn’t die. He disappeared. God took him. Why? Because everyone knew he was pleasing to God. How did he please God? The writer of Hebrews explains: it was because of his faith. That’s what pleases God. 1-A person’s belief that God is. We call this positive volition at God-conciousness. Everyone, at some time in his life, will question the existence of God. If he decides God must be real, that is God-conciousness. If he’d like to know more, that is positive volition. 2-A positive person’s knowledge that God rewards those who want to know Him. Belief that God is real and belief that God rewards sincere seekers. God is pleased with that kind of faith, and that is only the beginning. With that kind of positive volition toward God, more knowledge and more rewards will come, as the believer grows in grace. And without that faith, it is impossible to please God. “Good” human works will never please God.

In Luke’s genealogy of Joseph, Jesus’ human stepfather, we see that Enoch was a direct ancestor. The line eventually descended through David, which made Joseph and Jesus legal Jewish Royalty.

Luke 3:37, the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan, the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.

In Jude’s epistle he warned the Church about some infiltrators who would corrupt the Church any way they could.

Jude 4, For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Then he quoted Enoch. This evil element of humanity was known even in those earliest days, as well as how God will eventually dispatch them, after history runs its course:

It was also about these men that Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord came with many thousands of His holy ones, to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.” Jude 14-15

There has been evil in every generation of humanity. There has also been great faith in each generation. That is why humanity still exists on the earth. God preserves and protects His own, and reserves judgment for those who speak against Him.




[Your comments are welcome, but I will not debate interpretations that some may suggest to imply controversy. God didn't give us His Word for the purpose of confusing us, but to teach us His matchless grace. I find the simplest, most straight-forward explanation is usually the best. What the Bible clearly states should be taken as fact, without "controversial questions and disputes about words" (I Timothy 6:4-5, Titus 1:9).]

Abel's Sacrifice

Hebrews 11:4- By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks.

Abel, the second-born son of Adam and Eve, was a shepherd. His older brother Cain became a farmer.

Genesis 4:1 Now the man had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain, and she said, “I have gotten a manchild with the help of the LORD.” 2 Again, she gave birth to his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of flocks, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 3 So it came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the LORD of the fruit of the ground. 4 Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and for his offering; 5 but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell. 6 Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.” 8 Cain told Abel his brother. And it came about when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.

Offerings that indicated the faith of the offerer were an issue between God and the human race from the beginning. Had Adam not sinned, it would not have been an issue, because Adam and the woman were created perfect. They chose to disobey, though, and became spiritually dead. Free will is divine institution number one. God gave his created humans soul and spirit, to be able to communicate and fellowship with Him. Without a choice, they could not be free, so they were given a choice and decided wrongly. In that day they died, spiritually. The spiritless human body then was corrupted and began to die, physically. It took hundreds of years in the earliest days of the earth for their bodies to deteriorate and die, but the process began the day they chose to disobey. They immediately noticed that their bodies had lost their “luster.” They were naked and ashamed before God, and tried to cover themselves and hide from Him. The fellowship was broken. Shame and fear were the immediate result of sin in the human race. Because their spirits had died, the couple had no rapport with the God Who loved them.

The serpent had promised the woman superior wisdom if she ate the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3:5).

Principles of doctrine: 1-Wisdom is never attained by disobeying God’s Word. 2-Satan’s promises are always lies.

In His pronouncement of judgment on the serpent and the humans and the whole earth, God provided His own coverings for the humans, made from animal skins. Where could the skins have come from, except the slaughter of animals? This was the first demonstration of the death of the innocent to cover for the sins of the disobedient. As He judged them, He had also promised that the Savior would come through the seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15). The animals represented that sinless Savior.

The first humans had to live in their corrupted bodies while they populated the earth, and they had this lesson in propitiation from Jesus Christ (the only visible member of the Godhead), to teach their children for the generations to come. Those children have all been born like their fallen parents: with a sinful nature. It is in our genes. That’s why this present physical body has to die, so that we can receive a new body like that of our risen Lord. The law was still many generations in the future, but Jesus had provided grace atonement for them from the first instance of sin.

The sons had to have known this. Abel took it seriously, believed in that atonement and applied it to himself through his blood sacrifice to God. This publicly expressed his faith in God’s plan of grace. God was pleased with Abel’s faith. Remember, faith is what we know. Abel knew there would come a Savior to redeem the fallen human race, because we are all helpless to redeem ourselves. And he knew the slain lamb represented this perfect Savior.

Cain’s offering was the best of his crops, which he considered a good thing. It no doubt was good, except it showed that he did not understand the need for a blood atonement, or simply rejected the whole idea. Whatever his reason, he came as an unbeliever in the grace provision of God and presented his human works. That is unacceptable to God.

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us (Titus 3:5)
..all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. (Hebrews 9:22)

So, God’s testimony about Abel was that he was righteous because of his faith, and this was demonstrated by his gifts. We have his story after all this time to show us that before Abraham, before the Mosaic law, before the whole religious system of Israel, there was salvation by faith in the atonement of a sinless Savior who was to come.

Cain killed his brother out of jealousy, rather than accept the atonement provided freely by God. He gained nothing from the murder and spent his life in exile because of his lack of repentance toward the One Who Saves.

Definition of Faith

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval.
By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible. Hebrews 11:1-3

Faith (Greek: Pistis) is not wishful thinking. Not “pie in the sky” Pollyannaism. Faith is conviction; certainty that what we know about a person or a system of teaching is true. Assurance is a good defining word for faith. It means firm foundation. We know what we know, based on what we’ve learned and observed about whoever or whatever it is. And what we know is the basis for all our opinions and decisions in life.

“hoped for” means expected. Again, not an expression of wishfulness, but something we anticipate with confidence. This is going to happen. We confidently expect that it will.

“by it,” that is by this conviction of anticipated things not yet seen, the ancient believers in God’s promises gained God’s approval. In Hebrews chapter 11 we have a list of these believers, describing their relationships with God, and their notable legacies to us who follow. Some of us like to call this chapter the Roll Call of the Faithful. It gives us a brief synopsis of each major Old Testament believer and his or her lifetime achievement resulting from absolute identification with the purposes of God.

By faith (that assurance of things we didn’t see), we are aware that God created the universe by speaking His Word. Instantaneously. That six-day cleanup was not original creation, but we know that happened just as the Word of God describes it, also. God’s Word is the power that created and sustains the universe. He created it out of nothing, and He maintains its structure as our dwelling place for as long as it will be needed.

An unbeliever telling a Bible scholar he has read the Bible is like a casual reader of science telling a professional physicist he has read a book about physics. It takes a belief in the Person of God and an intense interest in God's dealings with His people to understand what the Bible is really about. Superficial reading will not reveal God's plan to someone unwilling to believe.

I Corinthians 2:4 “..my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.
6 Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; 7 but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; 8 the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory…..
10 For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. 11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, 13 which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.
14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. 15 But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. 16 For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ.

A natural man cannot understand spiritual things, as Jesus told Nicodemus in John chapter 3 (yesterday's post). We must be born again, as spiritual beings, able to comprehend the things of God. Then we are no longer natural, but spiritual, members of the Royal Family of God.

Then we know what faith is, and can learn to practice faith as we walk through this world day-by-day, onward to the destination God has designed for each of us. Just like the believers of old.

Spiritual Perception

John Chapter 3: Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; 2 this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Nicodemus came by night. He probably didn’t want to be seen in serious conversation with Jesus, but he had questions. “Rabbi,” he said, as he began to butter up this Galilean teacher, WE know you are from God, because of the signs (miracles) we’ve seen you perform.” He may have been a scout for the Sanhedrin, but he seems to have had a specific curiosity of his own, too, about Jesus. This man was not a heathen, in the sense of no knowledge of God. He was a religious leader. A Pharisee, a member of the Sanhedrin; so he knew what the Old Testament scriptures teach about God, and apparently was interested in serving God, as he understood Him. This kind of spiritual ignorance is different from the arrogant rebellion of those who simply reject the whole concept of God as He has revealed Himself to man, because they really don’t want to understand Him, and consider themselves morally superior to Him. Nic just didn’t have the complete picture, yet.

Jesus made it plain that Nicodemus could not see ( eido: perceive, have knowledge of, understand) the kingdom of God until he was born again. In that sense, he was no different from the heathen.

4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” (What a concept!)

5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water* and the *Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”
*Water and Spirit: Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. John 7:37-39

So, without the new birth, one cannot perceive of, nor enter into the kingdom of God. Jesus, the only Savior said that. To a ruler of the Jews.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh,

since Adam’s sin, all human beings are born in the same condition that Adam became: spiritually dead. Having Abraham’s genes is not enough. Without an activated human spirit, we have no receiver for God’s truth.

….and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. By the new birth we become spiritually alive, with a human spirit that can perceive the truth of God’s Word.
7 Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” We cannot see wind, but we can see the result of the wind: bending trees, blowing debris, etc. The Spirit is likewise invisible, but leaves evidence of His presence.

9 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and do not understand these things?

Nicodemus had the equivalent of a PHD in Old Testament history and the Mosaic Law. The Old Testament had prophesied for centuries about the Savior Who would come to redeem the condemned human race. He would be God’s only Son, the Jewish Messiah. His redemption would change the hearts of men and give them spirit to understand and love God. So, you’re a Doctor of Divinity, Nicodemus, and you don’t get this? It’s because you are physically alive, but spiritually dead. The natural man cannot perceive the things of the Spirit of God. He is not equipped. I Corinthians 2:14

11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know and testify of what we have seen, and you do not accept our testimony. 12 If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man. 14 As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; 15 so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life.

The story of the serpent in the wilderness (Numbers 21:5-9) was simply an example of faith in the promise of God. You’re dying from snake-bite (original sin); there is one way to survive that fatal condition: look at the serpent on the pole (crucified Savior) and believe. That’s how it works.

16 “For God so loved the *world, that He gave His *only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not *perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world to *judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 He who believes in Him is not *judged; he who does not believe has been *judged already, (why?) because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

*World: mankind. *Only begotten: uniquely born (God-Man). Only one born this way. *Perish: be eternally separated from God. *Judge: condemn. *Judged already: born a sinner. Not because of personal sins, but because he is spiritually dead and has rejected the only atonement for his sins. There is no more sacrifice for sins.

“He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” John 3:36

At some point, Nicodemus believed. We know, because he was with Joseph of Arimathea when they asked for the body of the crucified Jesus, to provide a proper Jewish burial. Nicodemus also brought myrrh and aloes (very expensive ointments) to prepare the body (John 19:38-40). So, this very wealthy, aristocratic ruler of the Jews had finally believed in the Lamb of God and received his very own human spirit; equipment with which to understand the truths that the Messiah had been teaching him in that encounter by night.

Generosity of the Saints

But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.
You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Philippians 4:10-23

The Church at Philippi had a great love and respect for their Church planter and teacher, the Apostle Paul. They showed their appreciation for him by their devotion to his teachings, their prayers for his safety and their outpouring of financial support for him in his times of need. Being imprisoned, he was in no position to travel and teach or to make tents, as he had often done to support himself. He acknowledged in this epistle their generosity to him and his understanding of why they would do this. He was their teacher in the Word of God. The more of the doctrine they learned from Paul, the more appreciative they became of him and of the Lord Jesus Christ, about Whom he taught. Faithful teachers love faithful students, who are eagerly learning and diligently applying the truths they are being taught. We call this being positive to doctrine. There are actually born-again believers who are negative to doctrine, but they are the subjects of other epistles. The Pilippians were fun to feed, like little birds with their mouths open, waiting to devour the Word as Paul presented it. Paul made it clear that he knew this attitude of generosity toward him was not new. They had been deeply concerned about him for some time, but only recently were able to send help to him. The Philippians seemed to be the only Church with an understanding of his need and the willingness or means to help him. They saw the need and volunteered this help more than once, because they loved him and what he represented to them. This is proper response to a pastor of any local church. He should be adequately supported, because his time should be spent studying the Word to teach the Word. Just anyone is not qualified for such a position. Those who are called and qualified need to be supported in their profession: shepherding the flock of God.

Paul had been through a lot of different situations on his journey into Christian leadership. Sometimes in want, sometimes in relative prosperity. His security was in Jesus Christ, no matter what. “I can do all things (enjoy abundance or suffer need) by means of the One Who pours power into me" (v. 13). Still, it was a great relief to him for Epaphroditus to arrive with these provisions. Paul’s joy in receiving this gift was as much for the rewardable action of the Philippians as it was for his own needs being supplied.

Their gifts to him and others in need were sacrifices to God Himself, in the work of the gospel ministry. Because of their compassion and generous giving, their need would be amply supplied by God, the creator and sustainer of all that there is.

Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done. Proverbs 19:17

So, Paul was confident he would have survived without it, but assured them that they had done a good thing. Well, yeah!

This behavior among God’s people brings glory to God, Himself.

There were other brethren with Paul, and they sent their greetings. Paul reminds them to greet “every saint in Christ Jesus.” That’s every believer, not just the “holy Joe” types. Every believer is a saint. It means “set apart unto Christ.” We who believe in Him are different from the worldlings. It is not always immediately apparent, but God knows. In verse 22 Paul mentions even the saints of Caesar’s household! Of Caesar’s household, mind you. Probably some more fruit of Paul’s labor, while in prison. There really are no accidents in the Christian Life, brethren. Wherever Paul was, that is where God had placed him, for a particular purpose. Likewise you and me.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ (His perfect provision for our every need) is with the spirits of those who trust in Him.

Peace of God

Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.
I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord. Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:1-9

Paul wanted to see the brethren at Philippi again. He missed the camaraderie he had enjoyed with this congregation when he was present with them. He felt a need to keep encouraging them to stand firm in the Lord, no matter what they would face in the days ahead.
Apparently, Paul knew of a conflict between a couple of the women of the Church. There seems to be always some conflict where people congregate. Each of us has an old sin nature, and our osns don’t miss a chance to irritate each other, about almost anything. There is no indication what their problem was, but Paul seemed to have real respect and appreciation for both of them, and was concerned that they resolve their differences in a Godly manner. We don’t know who he referred to as “true companion,” obviously a trusted elder in the Church who would care for the women just as Paul did, and would be in a position to council them toward personal reconciliation.

Again, the instruction to rejoice in the Person of Jesus Christ. It is actually a command. Without joy, a believer is powerless. Nehemiah 8:10…”the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Woebegone believers are not good representatives of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have everything to be happy about, and God has given us His very Own joy! Self-control is always the order of the day, and anxiety is counter-productive to the Christian Way of Life.

We are to pray about everything, humbly acknowledging God’s authority over our lives and circumstances. We always can be thankful for what we know He has provided for us, as well as what we have not yet realized that He has provided. We ask our Father for what we want and need, and simply wait for it. The peace of (which belongs to) God; His very Own peace. Eternal, supernatural, all-consuming; God’s peace—guards (garrisons; keeps advance watch over) your mental attitude. Isaiah 26:3…”You keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”

There’s nothing in the natural human soul that can comprehend that peace. It is God’s gift to those who totally trust in Him. Our happiness never depends on people or circumstances. Our happiness is that which we receive from our relationship to Jesus Christ.

We CAN control our mental attitude! We CAN help how we think! Think on things that are true, honorable, right, good, excellent, worthy of praise. That leaves no time for worry, anxiety and criticism. Remember the good times with friends and family, but mostly, keep recalling the doctrines of the faith and the promises of God that you have learned and are learning. Paul had diligently taught those things to the Churches he served, and stressed that those were the most important things to know. That will always be your stability. Not people, not politics, not entertainment. The Word of God.

Pressing On

Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.

Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself. Philippians 3:12-21 NASB


Paul referred in verse 11 to “attaining to the resurrection from the dead,” meaning to realize the fully mature spiritual knowledge of the resurrected Christ. That was his ultimate goal, and he considered that a far superior condition to be in than in his earthly body and in a Roman prison, as don’t we all. Picking up in verse 12, Paul stated clearly that he knew he had not achieved that level of maturity; indeed he would not in this life.

The word translated “perfect” in the New Testament always means “mature; a completed character; fully developed (like ripe fruit).” No, Paul hadn’t arrived there yet, but he was working on it, by putting his former mistakes behind him and moving forward to the objective of rewardable service for Christ. Regret slows us down. Confess it to the Father (I John 1:9), claim His promise of forgiveness and cleansing, and get on with the ministry you’ve been assigned.

That is an important factor in spiritual growth. Wallowing in past sins or past self-righteousness or past ignorance accomplishes nothing. What it does is stunt the growth of the advancing believer. Of course there are things in all our lives we wish we could erase, but it was part of who we were. It does no good to grieve excessively over things we can never undo. Our rejoicing is that faith in Jesus Christ has changed us into New Species. We were born again and we move on from here. We have help with this, through the Holy Spirit’s guidance. He will reveal to us where we are coming up short and what misconceptions we need to correct as we move along, always open to the accurate teaching of the Word.

Paul recommended that the brethren look to himself as an example of faith, humility and doctrinal teaching. Unity among the brethren is important, but we must not compromise truth for the sake of unity. Remember the dogs and evil workers in verse 2, who were a threat to the assurance of the growing believers? Well, he brought them up again, more forcefully, as enemies of the cross of Christ. The cross is what we proclaim. It is the basis of our salvation. It is the foundation of the Church. Any teaching or practice that obscures or confuses the importance of the cross of Christ is false doctrine. Their end is destruction (sin unto death), their god is their belly (KJV). In Biblical terms, the heart (cardia) is the mind; what you think with. Our hearts are renewed by the new birth and by learning the mind of Christ. The belly is the seat of emotions. Emotions cannot think. Emotions respond to stimuli, such as music, art, literature, people, foods and other substances. When our emotions are responding to the Word of God, we appreciate our Lord with fondness, and perhaps a rosy glow. When the emotions respond to worldly things, evil influences and false doctrines, it confuses the issues of Christianity and stunts our spiritual growth. It is possible for believers to be sidetracked by these enemies who lead them astray. Believers are dishonored by such confusion. Do not be misled by your own emotions or anyone else's. Yes, we all "feel." But feelings are not our criteria for spirituality. Bible Doctrine is, as learned and applied by Holy Spirit led students of scripture.

Our citizenship is in heaven. Jesus will return from there one day and make the transformation in our lowly bodies that we all eagerly anticipate, to resemble His Own glorious body. We know that is our destiny. Let us think and behave accordingly.

True Circumcision

Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.
Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision; for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh, although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless.
But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:1-11

“Finally” turned out not to be, because Paul seemed to be on a roll and picking up steam with this epistle. He couldn’t seem to stress enough that Christians should always rejoice “in the Lord” (our position IN CHRIST). Don’t worry about the repetition, Philippians, Repetition is a good thing. If Paul keeps repeating it, some of us will get it. Repetition burns the principle into our brains, so that there are some doctrines we will not forget.

More warnings are in order, even though we are rejoicing with Paul in the Lord: there were and are dogs among us. “Dogs in the Old Testament were false shepherds and prophets who did not warn the people nor feed the flock.” – J. Vernon McGee. That is a dangerous situation, believer. Be careful who you trust. If the pastor is not teaching the whole Word of God, he is not serving Christ or tending the flock (Isaiah 56:10-12). He is leaving the flock vulnerable to the demonic forces who are working to neutralize what little they’ve learned.

The Jews set great store by the “mark” of circumcision, which identified them as Abraham’s children and the people of God. It originated as a physical sign of Abraham’s faith in the promise of God (Genesis 17:10-11). It was continued through the generations of Israel as an identifier of that covenant. Problem was, they continued the physical sign in all their males, but the meaning of the mark had long since been lost in their ritualistic religion. Therefore, Paul called it “false” circumcision, because it no longer retained its original meaning to the people, for they did not understand or believe in the God who ordained it. Circumcision to the Jews is much like baptism is to Christians. It is a ritual that depicts a reality, and without the reality of the symbolism in one’s soul, it means nothing. There is no righteousness in human works of any kind, nor in physical ritual. True righteousness belongs to God and is imputed by God to those who believe in His Son. This was Paul’s only goal. GOD’s Righteousness.

Paul gladly tossed away the accolades he earned as a model Pharisee, because it is only IN CHRIST that he could ever realize the eternal life God provided for all of us. He spent the rest of his life preaching the very gospel he had tried to destroy, and indeed he died for that very gospel.

“We” who worship God in Spirit and Truth; we who believe in and love the Lord Jesus Christ; we who know that the flesh cannot please God, “We” are of the true circumcision of the heart (Romans 2:29). That is what makes us God’s people, not a physical scar.

If anyone could glory in his fleshly pedigree, it was Paul. He gave his qualifications in verses 5 and 6. No one was a more Jewish Jew than Saul of Tarsus. His parents had kept the law concerning their son’s circumcision. He himself had kept the law to the very best of his knowledge. He was a Benjaminite, a Pharisee, a zealot for defending the Jewish religion by persecuting the Christians. As Jews go, Saul took the prize. But he didn’t want that prize anymore. That prize is worthless. The only thing of value is faith in the Perfect Person and finished Work of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Fellowship of Humility

But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition. For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus. But you know of his proven worth, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father. Therefore I hope to send him immediately, as soon as I see how things go with me; and I trust in the Lord that I myself also will be coming shortly. But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need; because he was longing for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. For indeed he was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore I have sent him all the more eagerly so that when you see him again you may rejoice and I may be less concerned about you. Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard; because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was deficient in your service to me. Philippians 2:19-30

Paul had many close friends in the faith, but there were two he was particularly bonded with: Timothy and Epaphroditus. These were men he could totally trust to convey correct information to the Philippians and share Paul’s teaching without compromise. That is not always the case, even among Christians. Some have personal agendas or hang-ups about certain doctrines and may distort the message. Some were jealous of Paul’s authority and might have been capable of abusing the privilege of representing him. Some have not yet developed the humility needed to be faithful servants of Christ. Yes, we are to love all the brethren, but the fact is some of the brethren have more in common with us than the rest. Some are what we refer to as “like-minded” in their love of Bible doctrine, for example, as opposed to just grooving on the feel-good emotionalism of many congregations. Emotions cannot think, and we will frequently experience circumstances that music and platitudes will not fix. That’s why doctrine is so important, above every other aspect of our Christian growth. Once we learn the Mind of Christ, it’s in there, and it cannot be taken away, but we must keep learning; precept upon precept, so as not to grow dull and rusty in our knowledge of God's Word. The Word of God does not change. Church practices do change through the generations. The Word is our stability in the devil’s world.

In his lecture on humility, Paul gave the supreme example of Jesus Christ first, then he referred to his own training in humility as the means of great joy in himself and for the Philippians. Now he offers the examples of his close friends and associates in the ministry, who are serving as liaisons between the imprisoned Apostle Paul and the Churches he served.

He mentioned Timothy first. He wanted to send Timothy right away, to take news of himself to the Church at Philippi and to bring back their current information to him. Paul knew he could trust Timothy with anything. Paul had led Timothy to the Lord when Tim was very young and had mentored him in the faith, as they travelled and ministered together. He felt about Timothy as a father does a son. Paul also seemed to know he could trust the Philippians to treat Timothy with brotherly respect, even though he was very young and others might not have seen his humility as the sign of Christian maturity that it was.

Epaphroditus had been sent to Paul with monetary and other aid as soon as the Philippians learned he was imprisoned. They did this more than once, and Paul was deeply grateful to God and to them for that benevolence to him in his need. He assured them that it was service to Christ, and they were partners with him in his ministry and in his sufferings. After delivering the help to Paul, Epaphroditus became very ill, to the point of death, but God had spared his life, and Paul was thankful for the recovery of his dear, personal friend.

Paul knew the Philippians would be happy to see Epaphroditus well again, and to hear his reports about how Paul was getting on. It gave Paul pleasure to know of the relief and joy his dear friends would share, and to tell them he, himself expected to see them soon. Paul encouraged the Philippians, and us, to take special note of men like Epaphroditus. He had pure motives from a love of the Lord and of Paul and of the work of preaching the gospel. A real sense of responsibility to see the mission through.

This is the Godly fellowship and brotherly love that is shared by true believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, as we serve together in the world. Koinonia: a sharing in common, of faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ, a thirst for the teaching of His perfect Word of Truth, a commitment to fulfill our mission to share the gospel message with all who will hear, and an ever-growing love for Jesus and for the brethren as we continue our journey in this world.