Truth Magazine

By Weldon E. Warnock

There are many things we can know. We can know the doctrine of Christ (John 7:16), what is truth (John 8:32), whether we know God (1 John 2:3) and if we have passed from death unto life (1 John 3:14) to name a few. On the other hand, there are some things we cannot know. Let us notice some of them.

1. No man knows when Jesus is coming again. While on earth Jesus said, “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father” (Mark 13:32). As the year 2000 draws near, preachers are saying that Jesus is coming shortly, within the next several months. Well, they are just “whistling in the dark” because they don’t know.

2. No man knows the length of his life. We read, “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow for what is your life? It is even a vapor that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (Jas. 4:14). Yesterday is only a memory and tomorrow a dream. We have only today. In view of the uncertainty of life and the certainty of death we need to get ready for death and the judgment, and stay ready!

3. No man knows he will have a second chance to be saved. When Jesus comes he will take vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thess. 1:8). Now is the day of salvation (2 Cor. 6:2), not after Jesus returns. At the second coming of Christ all in the graves shall hear his voice and come forth. They that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation (John 5:28-29).

4. No man knows that he can be saved without accepting Jesus. The apostle Peter said, “Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). No other can give salvation. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. No man cometh to the Father but by him (John 14:6). Jesus is not one of the ways to God, but the way. If we believe not that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, we shall die in our sins (John 8:24).

5. No man knows that a person can be saved without water baptism. Every place where baptism and salvation or forgiveness of sins appear together, baptism always precedes salvation. Note the following Scriptures: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16). “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). “And now why tarriest thou? Arise and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16). “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us” (1 Pet. 3:21). In the preceding texts, faith, repentance, and baptism come before salvation or the remission of sins. Each one is just as important as the other. We just as well may say that an alien sinner could be saved without faith or repentance as to say he can be saved without water baptism.

Yes, there are some things that no man knows! Many think they know but they do not.

By Daniel H. King

We often take for granted the good things which we enjoy.

We as Americans are blessed exceedingly, savoring a political and economic system which encourages independence, self-reliance and a capitalistic entrepreneurial spirit. The resultant structure of both government and society has led to our knowing such freedom as few have ever known before us. We enjoy a level of prosperity that is seldom experienced by those of other modern nations.

Some of us are fortunate enough to have been born into a family with good reputation for virtue and hard work. We have done nothing whatsoever to deserve it, but we are nevertheless favored by this fortuitous circumstance also. The quality of our lives is the better for it, and the ambition and work-ethic which we have inherited gives us both satisfaction from our labors and success from our efforts at useful enterprises.

But those of us who are Christians are blessed most of all. Like those who dwell in a rich land, endowed by God with all the good things of life, we are pleased to know a level of spiritual blessing which few others can even imagine. This is what Peter declares of our estate in his second epistle:

Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust (2 Pet. 1:4).

Peter does not address the issue of the Christian’s blessed condition with an inappropriate modesty. Instead, he speaks palpably and conspicuously of the “exceeding great and precious promises” of God which are ours to enjoy. This conveys a picture of lavish profusion, of opulent richness, even of superabundant blessing.

And, when one investigates the Word of God in search of the regal blessings which are bestowed upon the child of God in a proper relationship with the Father through his Son Jesus Christ, he is impressed with the extravagant bountifulness of those gifts. Let us make note of but a few of those “exceeding great and precious promises”:

1.There Is The Promise of Safe Retreat. Christians hymn the glory of this wonderful blessing in the beautiful song Rock of Ages: “Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee.” All of us experience times in our lives when we feel that the world is closing in around us and it appears that there is no one to go to for help, no place to retreat. Another line from one of the famous hymns comes to mind here: “Where could I go? Oh, where could I go? Seeking a refuge for my soul?”

The crushing problems, turbulent storms, and daunting tasks of life cause us to long for a spiritual retreat from it all. The Lord offers this to his faithful children: “And a man shall be as a hiding-place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest, as streams of water in a dry place, as the shade of a great rock in a weary land” (Isa. 32:2). In God there is promise of a safe retreat. In the world there may not seem to be such a place, or such a condition. But for the child of the King, the resplendent promise provides confidence that there will never be a time or place or circumstance where he cannot withdraw into the Everlasting Arms and feel the spiritual comfort of God’s enfolding embrace.

2. There Is Promise of Deliverance. God wanted the  people of old Israel to call upon him in their day of adversity: “And call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me” (Ps. 50:15). Why would it be any different today? We need God in every trying circumstance of life, so it is only appropriate that we admit it and call out to him for help. The Bible says that God will respond in the day of adversity: “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment unto the day of judgment” (2 Pet. 2:9).

Yet how often have we endured the difficulties and turmoil of our lives without calling out for God’s help? Too often we attempt by our own enterprise or imagination to come up with a way out without contemplating our need for God’s help. We fancy ourselves intelligent enough, or inventive enough, or courageous enough, or even strong enough to escape the clutches of disaster by our own means. We forget that God has taught us to “call upon me in the day of trouble,” not only in order that he might deliver us, but also because it is evidence of our faith and dependence upon him as our Father and our God. Can you imagine an earthly father standing helplessly by as his child struggles and suffers with a problem which he could and would be willing to solve for him, if only he would ask? He does not want to barge in or intrude where he is not wanted, but stands by frustrated that he is not asked for help. Surely this is how God must view our occasional problems which he is ready and willing to alleviate, if only we would ask!

3. There Is Promise That He Will Never Forsake Us. We read in Hebrews 13:5, “I will in no wise fail thee, neither will I in any wise forsake thee. ”W. Herschel Ford comments on this passage as follows: “Paul had enough troubles to break anyone’s heart. Now he was in jail, and he realized that false teachers were arising. Many of his comrades had forsaken and left him. He was old and feeble and knew he would soon die. He said, “No man stood with me, all men forsook me.” Note that he said, “No man.” What else do you have to say, Paul? He says, “Notwithstanding, the Lord stood with me and strengthened me.” There’s the secret right there.

The troubles may come, the clouds may be dark and heavy, but “If the Lord be for us, who can be against us?” (Sermons 209). God has promised us that he will never forsake us. If all of our friends have forsaken us, God says he never will. If our family forsakes us, God promises that he never will. If even our brothers and sisters in Christ were to forsake us on some mistaken or perverse ground, God yet will stand by us. Jesus said, “I will be with you always, even to the end of the world” (Matt. 28:20).

4. There Is The Promise of Strength To Endure. This is a common theme in the book of Psalms, as is evident by the following quotations: “The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?” (27:1); “The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart hath trusted in him, and I am helped: Therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; And with my song will I praise him” (28:7); “The Lord will give strength unto his people; Jehovah will bless his people with peace” (29:11).

On your own strength you may not be able to make it, but remember that there is Another upon whom you may lean! Putting one foot ahead of the other in life is often the answer to most every problem. Facing one more day, just one day at a time, is the only solution that we may be able to come up with in many circumstances. But where do we gather the strength to take that next step or face that new day. The Psalmist concludes that “the Lord is the strength of my life,” and we ought to do likewise.

5. There Is The Promise of Everlasting Love. In the Old Testament God made this promise to his children: “Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee” (Jer. 31:3). Their comprehension of God’s love was nothing in comparison to that which is enjoyed by the children of God through Jesus Christ: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16). We have the additional revelation of God’s love in and through his Son. Such love is never-ending!

Prisoners of war have told interviewers after their return home that the only thing they had to hold on to during captivity was the knowledge that their families loved them and were praying for them daily. They endured the seemingly unendurable because love sustained them. But, dear friend, you need to know that the love of God is able to sustain you through every trial and test of life. If you can only come to believe that your Father loves you beyond measure, and that he is longing to enjoy your company in the heavenly spheres someday, world without end, then you will be able to finish your earthly course without fail.

6. There Is The Promise That God Will Give Us The De- sires of Our Hearts. The truly important spiritual requests which we ask of our Father will not be denied, when they are asked according to his will: “Delight thyself also in Jehovah; And he will give thee the desires of thy heart” (Ps. 37:4); “And this is the boldness which we have toward him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us: and if we know that he heareth us whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we have asked of him” (1 John 5:14-15). Too often we concentrate our thoughts upon the occasional “wait a while yet” or “that is what you want but not what you need” answer to our prayers. And that is most unfortunate. For God does most often give us the desires of our hearts, if we are careful about asking for the right things, and are concerned to ask according to his will. Very seldom do we count our blessings, and too infrequently do we number the prayers which he has answered in the affirmative — or even answered without our asking!

7. There Is The Promise That Someday Our Sorrows Shall End. We all recognize that this sin-scarred and sorrow-plagued world is sometimes a miserable place in which to live. Evil and wickedness, war and bloodshed, crime and injustice have be speckled human history and left their stains upon the face of the very earth itself. One might gain the impression that evil is greater than good and that ultimately it may triumph over God. These are only temporary victories that we occasionally witness, however, and the end is predetermined and unalterable. It is as sure as the Word of God.

The plain promise of God is that there will come a time when our Father will pull down the curtain upon all human misery and wipe all of our earthly tears away: “And he shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more; neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more: the first things are passed away” (Rev. 21:4). God’s children must take heart and have courage through all of the bad times, for we know that better times are coming! God has promised us that someday all of our sorrows will end.

By Morris Hafley

The term long-shorts seems a contradiction to me,

Kinda like having fried iced tea.

People wear them, they say, to keep cool,

But disobeying God makes one a fool.

Some tell me they’re more comfortable and they fit,

The problem is not while standing, but when you sit.

 The words “decent” and “modest” don’t come to mind,

And to warn them, we are told, is so unkind.

People across the room see how high they go,

Shall we take a Polaroid and let you see the leg show?

Perhaps we should be more concerned about the Lord

Before we go around being conformed to the world.

Is it really the teenager’s fault when allowed by mom and dad,

As they walk around dressed like the world, that’s so sad.

When we allow this in youth we are setting a trend,

One that will continue generations without end.

How ’bout the husband who lets his wife do the same,

When this old world with sex has gone insane?

Do they not love their family and the Father above?

To tell his wife and children “No,” that’s tough love.

“We are losing the battle” it has been said,

But we won’t quit fighting till we are dead.

Let your family know you’re not ashamed to blush,

As toward judgment and eternity we rush.

May God help us to continue to speak out

Against anything that contributes to the drought

Of preaching kindly and boldly as we ought teach

As toward our heavenly home we earnestly reach.

By Bill Cavender

“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace” (Rom. 6:14, KJV ). “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under law, but under grace” (Rom. 6:14, ASV ).

There are three clauses in our text:

(1) “For sin shall not have dominion over you”:

(2) “for you are not under law,”

(3) “but under grace.” It is these three clauses which will form the divisions of our lesson.

1. “For sin shall not have dominion over you.”Men and women, boys and girls — all accountable, responsible persons are guilty of committing sin(s) against the God of heaven by virtue of disobeying him, violating his holy, just, and good law (Rom. 7:11-12). “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” . . . “there is none righteous, no, not one” . . . “there is none that doeth good, no, not one” . . . “for that all have sinned”     . . . “we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin” . . . “For God hath concluded them all in unbelief (“disobedience,” ASV ), that he might have mercy upon all”     . . . “But the scripture hath concluded all under sin” . . . “For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not” . . . “for there is no man that sinneth not” (Rom. 3:23, 10, 12; 5:12; 3:9; 11:32; Gal. 3:22; Eccl. 7:20; 1 Kings 8:46).

Only Jesus the Christ, the only begotten Son of God, our Saviour, Immanuel, God manifested in the flesh, truly God (Deity) and truly man (humanity), did not sin. He knew no sin (1 Pet. 2:21-25; 2 Cor. 5:21). He was “holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens” (Heb. 7:25-26). Never in thought, word and deed, during his sojourn in his world among men, did he violate the holy laws of his Father in heaven or the laws of human rulers on earth. He left nothing undone and unsaid that he should have done and said. No sin(s) of commission or omission ever tainted his holy life or sullied his sinless soul.

For we have not a high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but one that has been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin (Heb. 4:15).

All of us are sinners. Who and where is that one who will say he is not guilty? We are the objects of God’s mercy and grace in Christ. He came to seek and to save the lost, to give his life as a ransom for many (Luke 19:10; Matt. 20:28).

“Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief,” so said Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles (1 Tim. 1:15). He is the Lamb of God who “taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:19).

Why are we sinners? Not because we are born sinners; not because we inherit the guilt of Adam’s sin; not because our parents were (or are) sinners; not because we are inherently evil, etc. These and many other theories are taught in the world of religions. Scriptures are perverted and misinterpreted to sustain these false doctrines.

We are sinners because: (1) We go astray from God (Isa. 53:6; 1 Pet. 2:25; 2 Pet. 2:15); (2) We disobey and violate the law(s) of God (1 John 3:4; 5:17); (3) We fail to do that which is our duty to do (Jas. 4:17; Matt. 25:1- 13, 24-30, 41-46); (4) We cultivate an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God (Heb. 3:12; Rom. 11:32); (5) We become the children of the prince of the powers of the air, the devil, children of disobedience, dead in trespasses and sins, walking in the sinful practices of this sinful world, deserving of punishment (Eph. 2:1-10).

Sin has dominion over us when we live in sin and the guilt of sin abides upon us (Col. 3:5-7). We are “servants of sin unto death” when we obey sin, when sin is our master (Rom. 6:15-23). Cain was warned by God that “sin coucheth at the door; and unto thee shall be its desire; but do thou rule over it” (Gen. 4:18).

Men and women can rule over sin through faith and by resisting its overtures, or it will rule over us. We can master sin or sin will master us. “Be subject therefore unto God; but resist the devil, and he will flee from you” . . . “Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist steadfast in the faith . . .” (Jas. 4:7; 1 Pet. 5:8-9).

Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and, sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren (Jas. 1:13-16).

The dominion and rule of sin in our lives is broken and overcome when we become “dead to sin,” when “we walk in newness of life,” when “he that is dead is freed from sin,” when “we be dead with Christ we believe that we shall also live with him,” when “reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord,” when “sin (does not) reign in your mortal body,” when “your members (are) instruments of righteousness unto God,” when “now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life” (Rom. 6:2, 4, 7-8, 11-13, 18, 22).

Romans 6 tells us how and when we “become dead to sin” and “alive unto righteousness;” how and when we cease to be “the servants of sin” and become “the servants of righteousness”; how and when we are no longer under “the dominion of sin unto death” but “alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

This dominion of sin is broken and overcome when we are: (1) baptized into Jesus Christ; (2) baptized into his death; (3) buried with him by baptism into death (i.e., our own death to sin); (4) raised up from baptism to walk in newness of life, which is a likeness of his resurrection; (5) when the sinful body is crucified and destroyed; (6) when we are dead to sin and freed from sin (Rom. 6:3-7). The inspired apostle further writes: “Ye were servants of sin, but ye have (1) obeyed (2) from the heart, (3) that form of doctrine which was delivered you. (4) Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness” (Rom. 6:16-18). Thus the Saviour said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:15-16). The inspired apostle Peter said, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:37-41). “Baptism doth also now save us,” as water saved Noah, when baptism is an act of trust in God, sincere belief in Jesus who died for our sins, repentance and true sorrow for the sins we have committed, and is the response of a good conscience toward God (1 Pet. 3:20-22; Acts 8:26- 40; 2:37-41; 2 Cor. 7:10).

2. “For you are not under law,” is an ellipsis (“Gram. Omission of one or more words, obviously under- stood, but necessary to make the expression grammatically complete” — Webster . . . “For you are not under law only, but also under grace.”)

We are “under law.” There could be no such thing as “sin” if there was no law. “Every one that doeth sin doeth also lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness. And ye know that he was manifested to take away sins; and in him is no sin” (1 John 3:4-5, ASV ). “Whosoever committeth sin trans- gresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin” (1 John 3:4-5, KJV ). “For the law worketh wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there transgression” . . . “for until the law (the law of Moses, bc) sin was in the world; but sin is not imputed (reckoned, counted) when there is no law” (Rom. 4:15; 5:13).

Adam and Eve were the first lawbreakers — sinners. She was beguiled by Satan but Adam was not beguiled (1 Tim. 2:13-14; Gen. 3:1-13). He entered into sin “with his eyes wide open,” knowing he was disobeying God when he did it. Jehovah had commanded Adam, saying, “Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (literally, “dying thou shalt die,” i.e., dying every way a man can die) (Gen. 2:16-17). Adam died spiritually at the time he ate of the forbidden fruit; the sentence of spiritual death, separation from God, came upon him immediately (Isa. 59:1-2; Ezek. 18:20). The sentence of physical death, separation of spirit and body, came upon him

930 years after his exclusion from the Garden of Eden and his inability to any longer eat of the fruit of the tree of life (Jas. 2:28; Eccl. 12:7; Gen.3:22-24; 5:5).

By the Holy Spirit the apostle Paul said, “Therefore, as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin; and so death passed unto all men, for that all have sinned: for until the law sin was in the world; but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the likeness of Adam’s transgression, who is a figure of him that was to come” (Rom. 5:12-14, ASV ). Adam was the first sinner. He was the first to experience the consequence and penalty of sin, spiritual death, separation from God (Isa. 59:1-2). He was under the law of God and he disobeyed. He walked by sight, not by faith (2 Cor. 5:7). Sin the master, spiritual death the result, entered into the world of men and women through him.

Sin and death passed upon all of Adam’s descendants for they have all done what Adam did — they have sinned! They did not commit the same sin, eating the forbidden fruit, that Adam did.

They committed all manner of sin(s) and all came un- der the same sentence, death, first imposed upon Adam. The consequence and penalty for violation(s) of God’s laws have always been the same. The same penalty and curse of the law comes upon each one when we sin. It has been so since Adam!

Men from Adam to Moses, about twenty-five hundred years or so, sinned and were guilty, under sentence of death (Rom. 5:14). They violated God’s laws. Abel recognized his guilt and offered the sin offering (Gen. 4:4; Heb. 11:4). Faithful men in the lineage of Seth “began to call upon the name of Jehovah,” preaching righteousness and condemning sins of the people (Gen. 4:26). Enoch, the seventh from Adam through Seth, condemned the ungodliness of ungodly people (Gen. 5:24; Jude 14-15). Noah was a preacher of righteousness, upholding God’s laws and condemning transgressors (Gen. 6:1-13, 22; 7:1; Heb. 11:7; 1 Pet. 3:20-21; 2 Pet. 2:5). Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and other great men and “patriarchs” of faith lived during this period from Adam to Moses (Rom. 5:12-14). They were sinners for they disobeyed God. One disobeys God by violating his will. But they knew God’s will and obeyed, though imperfectly, and offered the sacrifices in admission and remembrance of sin(s). The entire fourth chapter of Romans deals with Abraham who was a sinner, but who was saved by God’s grace through his (Abraham’s) faith. There has never been a human being who has not been subject to God’s will and commandments.

In Moses’ eighty-first year, the law from Jehovah God which bears Moses’ name (“the law of Moses”), was given to the Hebrew people at Sinai. Moses was the mediator of this law and covenant (Gal. 3:17-29). This law was “added because of transgressions, till the seed (Jesus Christ, the promised seed of Abraham, bc) should come to whom the promise was made” (v. 19); the law of Moses could not give life (v. 21); they who “are under the works of law are under the curse,” i.e., the curse and condemnation which the law pronounces upon those who disobey it (v.10); “no man is justified by the law in the sight of God” (v. 11), for if a man could be justified by the law, he would have to live perfectly, never sinning (vv. 12-13; Rom. 10:5). Law condemns the sinner; Jehovah God, in his grace, mercy, love and kindness through Jesus Christ, forgives the sinner (Tit. 3:3-7).

“Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound: But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 5:20-21). The law of Moses entered and the offence abounded because: (1) it revealed and defined the offence. The light shined in the darkness and sin was manifested and discerned (Rom. 7:1-25). What man thought little about and dismissed as trivial now becomes matters of magnitude and gravity; (2) the sinner could see himself without excuse (Rom. 2:2). Sin is exceedingly sinful when committed against light and knowledge; (3) sin abounded by causing the sinner to see himself in presumptuous rebellion against God, as his spirit rises up in opposition to God and to his good and pure law. God commands and man refuses.

God forbids and man desires. In the hearts of sinful men the law provokes to rebellion. The vicious self-will of wicked, disobedient people is at enmity against God. Trespassers try to show the Almighty that he cannot rule over them; (4) God’s law compels us to look in the mirror, the perfect law of liberty (Jas. 1:22-25), and see that sin is a powerful master and tyrant over us, that sin dwelleth in us through our unbelief and disobedience to our Lord’s will.

3. “But under grace.” “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast” (Eph. 2:3-9).

No one will seek for mercy and forgiveness until and unless one pleads guilty to the indictment of God’s law which pronounces us as sinners, violators of his law. The condemnation of the law should prepare us with heart- felt desire for the cleansing of the blood of Jesus and the forgiveness and pardon which our Heavenly Father offers us in the good news, the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ (Isa. 55:6-7; Rom. 1:16-17; 3:19-28; 4:20-25; 5:9-10). Grace abounds by forgiving us of all sins — all as to kind(s) and all as to number(s). There is no sin too great to be forgiven where there is true assurance of faith in Jesus and his shed blood, where there is penitence, sorrow, and regret for our sins, and where there is obedience from the heart to the gospel of our Lord in baptism for the remission of our sins (Acts 2:37-41; 8:26-39).

And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned (Mark 16:15-16). Through grace, God our Father has made us partakers of his divine grace, children of God through faith (2 Pet. 1:3-4; Gal. 3:26-29). Through God’s grace we are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus (Gal. 3:28-29; 4:1-7; Rom. 8:16-17). Through grace we who are sinners are born again, of water and the Spirit, in obeying the truth, and granted citizenship in his heavenly kingdom, to live for- ever with him, and with our Saviour who died for us, and with the elect angels, and with the redeemed of all the ages (John 3:3-5; 1 Pet. 1:22- 25; Phil. 3:20-21; 2 Pet. 1:3-11; Matt. 8:11; Luke 13:28-30). Through God’s grace the Lord of glory was crucified for our sins and he willingly gave his life as a ransom for as many who would believe on him and obey him (John 1:11-12; 1 Cor. 2:8; Matt. 26:20, 28; Heb. 5:8-9). Grace, mercy and peace abides with God’s redeemed children now through our lives here and into eternity.

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt; Yonder on Calvary’s mount out-poured, There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt . . . Dark is the stain that we can- not hide, What can avail to wash it away? Look! there is flowing a crimson tide; Whiter than snow you may be today . . . Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace, Freely bestowed on all who believe; You that are longing to see His face, Will you obey and His grace receive? . . . Grace, Grace, Infinite Grace, Grace that will pardon and cleanse within; Marvelous Grace, Infinite Grace, Grace that is greater than all our sin” (D.B. Towner, Julia H. Johnston). 

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound; That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now I’m found, Was blind, but now I see  . . .’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears allayed; How precious did that grace appear, When I His word obeyed . . . Thru many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come; ’Twas grace that bro’t me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home . . . The Lord has promised good to me, His word my hope secures; He will my shield and portion be,