by John Carpenter | Jul 16, 2012 | Devotional
“And be found in Him — not having mine own righteousness — which is of the law — but that which is through the faith of Christ — the righteousness which is of God — by faith.” Phil.3:9
From this verse we learn that there are, indeed, in existence two completely different righteousnesses. There is only one righteousness, however, whereby a true believing sinner may be accepted with God. But, both righteousnesses could — by today’s standard — look like — and be accounted as being — “Christian”.
This naturally raises the relevant question: What exactly is it that makes up the big difference between the two? And, the answer is found in the phrase, “through the faith of Christ”. For the reason that this is true — is because the righteousness that a fallen sinner needs — in order to be justified before God — is a perfect righteousness. Anything less is simply not acceptable. And, just such perfection — is found only in the person and work of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
There is revealed from this text — that there is a righteousness that is indeed lived and performed — that is generated from a sinner’s fine — but imperfect — efforts at keeping the law of Moses. But, this is just not the same as that righteousness that has been lived and performed through the faith of Christ Jesus — the sovereign Savior Son of God! He is the object of the faith of the true believing sinner — for He — is the sinner’s substitute and perfect propitiation!
Ro.3 so aptly explains this divine and gracious premise unto us. Vs.21 announces it with the declaration: “But now — the righteousness of God — apart from the law — is manifested — being witnessed by the law — and the prophets”. In other words, the much needed perfection — where righteousness is concerned — has been lived and performed! (Vs.22) “Even the righteousness of God — which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all — and upon all — them that believe — for there is no difference” — and the reason why that there is no difference among believers is then stated from vs.23: “For all have sinned — and come short of the glory of God”!
Any sinner’s justification before God is next — put purely — in its right and proper perspective: (vs.24-25) “Being justified — freely — by His grace — through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus — whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation — through faith in His blood”! This — God did — in order: “to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins…” What a wonderful phrase of holy scripture this is!
Vs.26 continues to explain: “To declare, I say, at this time — His righteousness — that He might be just — and the justifier — of him (lit.) that is of the faith of Jesus.” Vs.27 reveals that the saved are ruled and governed by another law — “the law of faith” — in which the Lord Jesus Christ rightfully owns all the glory! Praise His Name!
by John Carpenter | Jun 15, 2012 | Devotional
As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord — so walk ye in Him. (7) Rooted and built up in Him — and established in the faith — as ye have been taught — abounding therein with thanksgiving.” Col.2:6-7
Paul is here writing to a church that — as far as we know — he had never visited. He is — in this text — also explaining some precepts of true Christian walk and worship that will be evident in and among all true believing Christians.
Faith, indeed, is an integral aspect of “receiving” the Lord Jesus Christ. But, even faith is a grace that only God — can and will — bestow upon all those that He has given unto Christ to redeem and save them from their sins. Faith is the divine means whereby a person realizes that they are accepted by God in the person and work of His eternal Son who came into this world to be their divinely appointed Savior and Substitute. They receive — by the grace of faith — the truth of their having been saved from God’s eternal holy wrath against their sins through their Substitute’s walk — and their Redeemer’s sacrifice — who is both one, and the same Christ. Therefore, does scripture say: “For by grace are ye saved through faith — and that not of yourselves — it is the gift of God” and “All that the Father giveth me — shall come to me — and him that cometh to me — I will in no wise cast out”. [Ep.2:8; Jn.6:37]
We are saved by God’s grace — and, by the same means of grace — we are “rooted in Him” and “built up in Him”. What is true of one — is also true of all of those that are given by God to His Son, their Savior. Collectively, all of the saved are said to be like trees — planted by the rivers of water. Trees of righteousness — whose fruit will be seen in its season. And, it will be eternal fruit — that will never spoil. For it will have the eternal Savior, Christ Jesus, as its root! They are also regarded as God’s building — God’s temple — God’s house. God is the builder — and He has laid as a foundation — His eternal Son, the Lord Jesus Christ! No other foundation will do for the holy habitation of God. Among this company alone will there be found the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit of true worship!
Next we see that those that have truly received Christ — will also be “established in Him” (i.e. in “the faith” of Him). Receiving Christ is the beginning of a learning process that concerns who He is as their Savior and Lord. One becomes stabilitated in the sound doctrine of the saving truth of the gospel of God’s great grace. This learning process — fills up the life and walk of the true believer in Christ. And, it becomes the source of an abundant exhilaration and joy — and thanksgiving — for all the times and experiences that they have of added illumination in the revelation of their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
By grace, do we receive Christ Jesus — and by grace, do we walk and grow in Christ Jesus — all to the praise of His glory!
-For Christ’s Glory Only!
J. Carpenter
by John Carpenter | May 24, 2012 | Devotional
“My sheep hear my voice — and I know them — and they follow me. (28) And I give unto them eternal life — and they shall never perish — neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” Jn.10:27-28
The Lord Jesus Christ declares from these verses — not the way that He hopes it will be with all those that are truly His sheep — but the way that it truly is! There is not being proclaimed here His intention — but rather His accomplishment! There is no doubt about it — that which He has said — His “sheep” hear. And, they hear — not because they know Him — but because He knows them!
The next thing the Lord Jesus says is that those He knows follow Him. A precedent is being revealed here by our Savior — as to how things are — as well as, how things are always going to be.
This is such a blessed text for us to learn how wonderful our Savior truly is! Every single one of us who have — by the grace of faith — fled for refuge to Jesus Christ realize all too well — two things simultaneously: 1. That we are fallen sinners and, therefore, we are in dire need for something that only God can do. Only God can get us safely through this wicked world — without ultimately ending up in hell. This kind of eternal salvation that the Bible describes — is completely under sovereign God’s government and control! And, 2. That the Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God — sent into this wicked world to do for us exactly what needs to be done in order to eternally save us! The gospel declares that He has already accomplished this — for all who are His sheep.
That’s why Jesus says: “And I give unto them — eternal life and they shall never perish”. John says in another place: “And this is the record — that God has given unto us — eternal life — and this life is in His Son! He that hath the Son — hath the life — he that hath not — the Son of God — hath not the life!”
The only view that we sinners can have of “eternal life” — is in the Lord Jesus Christ and what the Word of God describes and declares of His person and work as our sovereign Savior and substitute! This is exactly what the Pharisees could not — and as a result — would not believe! Hence, Jesus told them: (26) “But ye believe not — because ye are not of my sheep!” Notice He did not say: “You are not of my sheep — because you do not believe”. No — believing does not make you a “sheep”. If one is a “sheep” — they will hear and believe the gospel of God’s grace! And, in this way — they will hear and believe the voice of the Lord Jesus Christ. They will hear and believe and follow the Lord Jesus Christ — throughout their lives. Praise His Name!
For His Glory Only!
John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Apr 11, 2012 | Devotional
“Blessed is the man whom thou choosest and causeth to approach unto thee.” Ps.65:4
I don’t know why there are so many that seem to absolutely despise the sound Biblical doctrine of divine and gracious election. It is dogmatically declared from God’s word throughout both the Old and New Testament. Some might rightly say that it is a part of the very fabric of God’s gospel of His grace toward sinners. For in it is the truth of eternal security — that we all long for!
From this particular phrase of holy scripture the Psalmist declares four significant things about the man he is referring to:
1) The man is said to be “blessed”. Obviously what is meant is the man is spiritually blessed by God. Which fact brings to mind that which is likewise written in Eph.1:3 which says: “Blessed God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ…” And, the man the Psalmist is describing is one that is also included here in Ephesians.
2) The man is “blessed” by God by virtue of his having been chosen by God. And, it is Eph.1:4 that serves well to substantiate this truth as well. For it goes on to tell us: “according as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world”. This text informs us of the fact that all of God’s elect were chosen by Him in Christ — on the same date — “before the foundation of the world”!
3) The significant thing about the “blessed” and “chosen” man in Ps.65:4 is the fact God also “causes” him to do something that is very needful and important. This truth is also very much a part of the gospel as it is declared in the New Testament — from Ph.1:6: “Being confident of this very thing — that He which hath begun a good work in you — will perform it [or, lit. will perfect it] until the day of Jesus Christ.” And, Ph.2:13 delves deeper — when it says: “For it is God which worketh in you — both to will and to do of His good pleasure.”
4) What it is that God “causes” the “blessed” and “chosen” man to do is “approach” unto God. Being fallen sinners — none of us naturally come to Christ. Jesus even said from Jn.6:44 “No man can come unto me — except the Father who sent me — draw him…” And, remember when the sons of Korah and others rebelled against Moses and Aaron and their leadership? It is written about from Nu.16 — where vs.5 gives the answer of Moses to them: “And he spake unto Korah and all his company saying, Even tomorrow the Lord will show who are His — and who is holy — and will cause him to come near unto Him — even him whom He hath chosen will He cause to come near unto Him.” Likewise — all those whom God has “blessed” and “chosen” – does He graciously “cause” to “approach” unto Him! Let us give praise for the glory of His saving grace!
For Christ’s Glory Only!
John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Mar 5, 2012 | Devotional
“Wherefore, my beloved…work out your own salvation — with fear and trembling; (13) for it is God which worketh in you — both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” Phil.2:12-13
Fear and trembling is specifically mentioned 7 times in scripture — although as a theme — it is found throughout the Bible to be a description of the Godly demeanor of every true Christian. Ps.2:11 dogmatically says: “Serve the Lord — with fear — and rejoice — with trembling!” This exhortation is given to each and every true child of God. It speaks of serving Christ with a holy fear of failing to please Him in anything that is done, or not done — and, at the same time, rejoicing in serving Him with an unnatural humbleness of mind. Fallen flesh is naturally joyful in something that it can be personally proud about. Therefore, it is not natural to rejoice with trembling, which in this case denotes reverent and Godly humility.
This is much like that which Paul exuded when he was with the Corinthians. 1Co.2:3 gives expression to this truth when Paul says: “I was with you in weakness — and in fear and in much trembling.” Hence it is obvious that this fear and trembling is an evidence of the indwelling, in-working presence of the Holy Spirit. For these Godly things only show up after God grants unto us His grace of repentance — which becomes for us a demeanor of how we live out our life.
2Co.7:15 — which was written in the context of how obviously repentant the Corinthians proved to be — demonstrates in what demeanor they had received Titus — who was sent by Paul unto them to see if they had in faith received Paul’s reproof of them. And, Paul commends them for their obedience. He says of them: “…how with fear and trembling ye received him.” This means that they exhibited this trait as a proof of their walking — in the Holy Spirit.
This is what is also obvious from our text selection from Phil.2:12> “work out — your own salvation — with fear and trembling.” This can only be done by the Holy Spirit because it is a working from the inside out — and the Holy Spirit indwells the true believer! We cannot fulfill what this text describes without the Spirit of God. There would not be any fear and trembling experienced in obeying the command that is here given — if we could work out — on our own — our eternal salvation! God — who only gives grace unto the humble — does not give an inch to any scenario where personal pride may be able to gain any ground! Pride cannot abide — where the Holy Spirit genuinely indwells! Hence, Phil.2:13 is an eternal truth of God’s sovereign almighty grace: “For it is God that worketh in you — both to will and to do — of His good pleasure.” Just as the Holy Spirit was intimately involved in every aspect of Jesus’ life — from His conception unto His ascension — even so the child of God — the saved one by Jesus — comes to realize by regeneration the same intimacy with the Holy Spirit’s involvement in every aspect of their life and being and walk!
“As many as are led by the Spirit of God — these are the children of God!” Ro.8:14
For Christ’s Glory Only!
John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Feb 13, 2012 | Devotional
“Now ye are clean — through the Word which I have spoken unto you. (4) Abide in me, and I in you. According as the branch cannot bear fruit from itself — except it abide in the vine — no more can ye — except ye abide in me. (5) I am the vine. Ye are the branches. He that abideth in me — and I in him — the same bringeth forth much fruit! For without me [or, lit., apart from me] — ye can do nothing!” Jn.15:3-5
Religion without a real confession concerning the glory of the totally accomplished work of Christ — is, indeed, a dangerous thing! For it tends — in the end — to only flatter people by leading them — in a self righteous way — to think, or imagine — that they can do something without Christ.
Jas.1:21-22 tells us what we need cleansing from: “Wherefore, lay apart [or, put off] all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness — and receive with meekness the engrafted Word [or, the implanted word] — which is able to save your souls. (22) [lit.] But keep on becoming doers of the Word and not hearers only — deceiving your (own) selves!”
It isn’t that we don’t do anything — but that we don’t do anything according to our own fallen flesh! The Spirit of Christ and the Word of God dwells down inside of us and ever works to transform us into the image of the Lord Jesus Christ! Praise His Name! We, indeed, “have this treasure in earthen vessels — that the excellency of the power may be of God — and not of us!” So to be a true “doer” of the Word — is the same thing as saying “the Word” [which is Christ] does it all. There is no darkness, nor deception, where this pure truth is concerned!
The enemies of the truth spend all their time and effort in obfuscating this divine principle of grace. It is the way of the world to sow thorny weeds in the same place — the same heart — that the Word of gospel truth is implanted. The thorns, you remember, serve to choke the word to death…so it will not bear any lasting fruit. The lust of the flesh of fallen human reasoning may, indeed, receive the implanted Word with joy — but, alas, it has no real root to be able to endure the hot affliction that will, of a certainty, come upon it because of the Word. It, too, in the end — brings forth no real fruit. And, Satan — works day and night to blind the mind — so that it cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. And, as the Word says: “But if — our gospel be hid — it is hid in them that are lost”.
But — praise the Lord — for the revelation of Himself that He — is the Light of the world! And, also the scripture from Ep.5:8 that describes: “For ye were sometimes darkness — but now are ye light in the Lord! Walk as children of Light!” Oh, yes — Ps.119:105 says: “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet — and a light unto my path.” Also, vs.130 tells us: “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” Praise the Lord for His Word and His Spirit and what they have done!
For Christ’s Glory Only!
John Carpenter
