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Main
Article
"The Faith Life"
In last
month's issue we saw that we needed to be
committed to a local Church that teaches the
uncompromising Word of Faith. As Brother
Copeland, and many other Word ministers are
teaching now, we need to be committed people as
Christians. The faith walk is not a "flowery bed
of ease!" Some people may like to think that it
is, but that doesn't make it so. However, I
didn't say that this life is hard either. You
may think that it must be one or the other. No!
It is not hard because Jesus has done the hard
part - He came, lived the perfect will of God - a
sinless life, then He died. In dying, He was
made to be sin. (2 Corinth. 5:21) I didn't say
that He committed sin - He didn't, He lived a
sinless life. But, when He took our sins on
Himself (1 Peter 2:24) He was made to be sin.
In other words, an exchange took place. He took
our sins on His Body and became sin. That
made possible, when we become born-again
believers, our being made (not by our
works) the righteousness of God in Him.
Why go into this?
To illustrate this - the hard part
has been accomplished in our living in God by faith. Jesus provided
it for us! We, as Christians have been made the righteousness of God
in Him! Now, because we are the righteousness of God we are in
proper standing and relationship to our heavenly Father.
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That is what "righteousness" means - "right-standing." Does this mean that as
Christians we are incapable of sinning? No! I believe that we know
better than that! Listen to James 1:19, 20, "Wherefore, my
beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak,
slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness
of God." Notice, if we don't act, live and operate properly in our
Christian life, we do not cease to be the righteousness of God - we
are simply not working our righteousness. Some folks feel that if
they are born-again - then commit a sin - that they need to be
"born-again again" Brethren, that's not possible! No, if we
commit a sin after we are born again we need to confess it as sin
and act on 1 John 1:9. If we confess our sin, God forgives us and
forgets that sin! Notice that verse - He cleanses us from all
unrighteousness! Praise God! If you sin - confess it - then don't
let satan condemn you any more (Rom. 8:1).
There is another error that some folks fall into. They seem to
believe that as Christians, it is alright to do anything, live any
way - and still think that they can get in on all the blessings God's
Word promises. This is wrong as well! As Christians we are not to
have a sin consciousness, that's true, BUT - 1 John 1:10 says, "If we
say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not
in us." But, isn't this talking to sinners? No, this chapter is
written to Christians. Read the chapter closely. Besides, this verse
says, "... His Word is not in us..." if we say we never sin. Who is
the Word in? Sinners? No! God's engrafted Word is in believers!
Notice the first verse of Chapter Two of 1 John. "My little
children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. Who did he
write them to? Brethren. Christians! Why? That they would sin not.
But notice what he goes on to say. "And if any man sin, we have an
advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous..." (1 John
2:1) We, as Christians, have Jesus as an advocate in case we do sin!
What is an advocate?
The Greek word here is - "parakletos." W.E. Vine's
Expository of New Testament Words says of this word - "...called
to one's side, i.e., to one's aid... used to denote a legal
assistant...generally, one who pleads another's case, an
intercessor..." Glory to God! Jesus is interceding before God - on
our case - as our lawyer! He's a good one too!
What does all this lead us to? Well, we, as Christians, been made
the righteousness of God, we should not have a sin consciousness.
That is, constantly thinking, "I'm just a dirty, rotten sinner - God
can't use me!" (God can't use you while you think like that!) But,
on the other hand, we have an advocate, Jesus, if we do commit sin.
If we do slip up and sin - we should confess it - then go on with God.
yourself in a position of pure fellowship with your Father.
Don't sin - but if you do, confess it, and go on with Him!
Colossians 1:10-29 describes this best. Let's look at a few these
scriptures, then after reading this article - read the whole
chapter!
"That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing,
being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge
of God... (Jesus) hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and
hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear ion, _in whom we
have redemption through His Bloods even the forgiveness of sins..."
Notice, Jesus hath, already done it! That may not be good
English, but it is good news! We have redemption through Him!
Finally, look at verse 21 - "And you, that were sometime
alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He
reconciled in the Body of His Flesh through death, to present you
holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight: if_ ye continue
in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the
hope (expectation) of the Gospel..." Glory! If you continue in the
faith and in the Word you are presented holy and unblameable and
unreprovable! Brethren take these things to heart- continue in the
faith of God's Word. "For without faith it is impossible to please
Him." (Heb. 11:6)
Television Appearance in South
Carolina
On May 2nd, Brother Bill and
Pastor Gary Price, from Taylors Grove Church, were interviewed on
Channel 57 in Columbia, SC. Here, the cameramen get ready for
the "Nite Line" program.
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| The "Nite Line" Crew |
Brother Bill and Pastor
Price |
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C. Franklin Bailey
The 22nd of last month
(April 1983,) my father, Frank Bailey, went home to be with the
Lord. He and my mother, Bonnie Bailey, raised me in
the nurture and admonition of the Lord and are responsible
for my now serving the Lord in the Ministry. Dad was,
and is, a shining example, not only to me, but others - of
serving the Lord Jesus with all your heart! Mom, Joy,
and I want to thank all of you for your prayers and letters.
The picture at left is of Dad working on a favorite hobby -
making walking sticks. It was taken in his shop where
he liked to "piddle around." Here's to the "Mayor of
Flat Swamp!" We'll miss you.
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Items of Interest in This Issue
Invitation to the Concord Believer's Convention...
Invitation to the Word of Faith Satellite Seminar at Taylors Grove
Church... Tape Offer: "The Life of Faith"
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