by John Carpenter | Oct 20, 2012 | Devotional
“Then he which had received one talent — came and said, ‘Lord, I knew thee — that thou art an hard man — reaping where thou hast not sown — and gathering where thou hast strawed! (25) And, I was afraid — and went and hid thy talent in the earth. Lo, there thou hast that is thine.’ (26) His Lord answered and said unto him, ‘Thou wicked and slothful servant! Thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not — and gather where I have not strawed’!” Mt.25:24-26
This excerpt comes out Christ’s parable of the talents from Mt.25:14-30. Among many good points that could be made regarding the servant that was given just one talent — there is this obvious truth that could be said: God does not bestow His grace — upon any of His true children — for them to do nothing. In fact, His grace is enabling! It is by His grace of faith — and not by sight — that we do walk through this fallen world. The wicked servant knew full well that God was sovereign.
Often times — as true believers — in a fallen and hostile world — the battle that we face where the real evil enemy is concerned — is not simply cut and dried — or, totally black and white. We — of necessity — must constantly be seeking the Lord through prayer and researching His Word — in order to be able to discern what it is that we should be doing. Of course, God is absolutely sovereign and in control of all things — and there is no doubt about the fact — that whatever happens is ultimately going to prove to be exactly the way that His eternal purpose and decree — His immutable counsel — has determined. But, this truth concerning God’s sovereignty never ever undermines our accountability unto Him and His Word where we as His chosen children are concerned. We are fulfilling what is written in His Word — as either being His saved ones in this fallen world — or, we are not! “So then — every one of us shall give account of himself to God!” Ro.14:12
There are many among our company as Christians that have succumbed to the sad reality of the foreboding sinful state and condition that our country is presently in — and in their forlorn mind set — they have determined to not participate in the up and coming election. I know how you feel — but I also know that this ought not so to be! To do nothing is exactly what the Evil One hopes will happen. We must reckon with the present reality — that God has not providentially orchestrated it — so that we have a clear choice between a true spiritual leader to rule over us — and someone who isn’t. It’s not that simple! But, when we know of one choice that will not totally strip away our Godly freedoms and blessings — then we must trust the Lord — and make that choice! When nothing is done — a choice for evil is made. God help you!
The Lord does not teach His total sovereignty as a fatalistic philosophy, but rather as it truly is — a strong and mighty tower for all His saved ones to take refuge in regardless of the certainty of His coming unfavorable judgments!
For Christ’s Glory Only! – John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Sep 6, 2012 | Devotional
“It is a good thing to give thanks — unto the Lord — and to sing praises — unto thy name, O most High! (2) To show forth thy lovingkindness — in the morning — and thy faithfulness — every night. (4) For thou, Lord — hast made me glad through thy work! I will triumph — in the works of thy hands! (5) O Lord, how great are thy works! And thy thoughts are very deep.” Ps.92:1-2,4 -5”
Isn’t it wonderful — in and through the course of this fallen and cursed world — to experience the continual preservation and provision of the Lord! It just makes you so very thankful that — among all the other fallen and sinful inhabitants of the human race — that you are one of His! It makes you traverse through these days — with a song of praise in your heart — knowing that — in spite of all the struggle and affliction that goes along with living in this cursed world — you are just so happy to be in Jesus — and all the blessings of the victory that He has won on your behalf!
It is then that your life becomes a veritable revelation of His lovingkindness and faithfulness. And, that is the case — both day and night! In times of prosperity and adversity — thankfulness and songs of praise fill your days — because of Him!
That which makes us so glad is His work — that He performs — in and through us. Why – it is in His works — that we truly triumph — as a victor — and shout for joy for their greatness! It is in His works — that we come to exercise — our genuine dependence upon Him — for the provision of His guidance and deliverance.
It is His thoughts toward us — that are what assures us — that we are His — and under His perfect Will and good pleasure! “His thoughts — are very deep” — it says.
Ro.11:33 tells us: “O the depth — of the riches — both — of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable [or, incomprehensible] are His judgments [or, decisions] and His ways [or, means of doing things] past finding out!”
And to think that God the Holy Spirit [whom both God the Father and God the Son have sent unto us — to seal us and to dwell in us — in an eternal covenant union with Him, the One triune God] — has shown (or, has revealed) unto us — a reflection of the riches of His glorious wisdom and knowledge. It is, indeed, unfathomable!
No wonder Ps.139:17 says: “How precious are thy thoughts unto me — O God! How great [or, how mighty] is the sum of them!” His thoughts toward us are not only deep into the riches of His wisdom and knowledge — but they are also of great value to us in that they are — according to Jer.29:11 — “thoughts of peace — and not of evil” — unto the eternal salvation of our souls. Praise His Name!
Truly and indeed, “it is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord! And to sing praises…” unto His wonderful Name!
For Christ’s Glory Only!
John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Aug 16, 2012 | Devotional
“But now hath He obtained — a more excellent ministry — by how much also He is the mediator of a better covenant — which was established upon better promises.” He.8:6
This is a description of our Lord Jesus Christ and His divinely declared ministry as a holy, heavenly and eternal High Priest/Substitute for His people. When it says that He “obtained a more excellent ministry” — it is telling us that the governor of all of providence has finally brought to pass the time for the manifestation of His eternal Son — as our eternal Savior Substitute and Mediator.
The Levite priests had an outstanding ministry — that they were divinely appointed to religiously perform according to the law of Moses. But, they acted only as a type of savior/substitute — for the Old Covenant children of God. But, the Lord Jesus Christ — the sovereign Savior/Son of God — manifest in human flesh — was divinely sworn to be the eternal, immutable and heavenly High Priest — whom God had promised would come into this fallen world and fulfill all that needed fulfilling — for all those whom He had covenanted with God the Father — to come into this world and save! Hence, it says: “He is the Mediator — of a better covenant”! Even a “New” covenant — that is — as it says — “established (or, legislated) — upon better promises”.
The word for “promises” — literally means: announcements, or assurances. And, they are said to be “better” — because they are announced and assured as being already fulfilled! 2Co.1:20 tells us: “For all the promises of God — in Him — are yea — and in Him — amen — unto the glory of God through us!” Christ has done it all — praise His Name! Indeed — Christ is — our all — and in all! (Col.3:13)
He.9:15 says: “And for this cause (Or, for this glorious reason) — He — is the Mediator of the New Testament — that by means of death — for the redemption of the transgressions…they (lit.) who have been called — might receive — the promise — of the eternal inheritance.” And, they receive it because they have been placed in Him! And 1Jn.5:11-12 plainly states: “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 — and He that hath not the Son of God — hath not the life.” Hence, in the eternal Son of God — that is — in His person and work as the eternal Redeemer — the promised gift of eternal life — has been given — has been fulfilled — unto us by God.
Therefore, He.12:24-25 goes on to strongly substantiate this truth to us — by further saying: “And, to Jesus — the Mediator of the New Covenant — and to the blood of sprinkling — that speaketh better things than that of Abel (That’s because the blood of the Savior — speaketh better things than the blood of the saved one) — see that ye refuse not Him that speaketh (Or lit., see that ye deprecate not Christ). For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth — much more — shall not we escape — if we turn away from (Or, if we pervert) Him that speaketh from heaven!”
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
