You Are An Ambassador Of Jesus Christ: Living As One

Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man,

but through Jesus Christ and God the Father

Who raised Him from the dead), and all

the brethren who are with me,

to the churches of Galatia:

Grace to you and peace from God the Father

and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself

for our sins, that He might deliver us

from this present evil age, according to the will

of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever. Amen.

Galatians 1:1–5

            Paul in his introduction to his letter ensures with no words minced; he was not selected to be an apostle by men, rather he was selected by Jesus Christ Himself and this narrative of his selection is found in chapter nine of Acts.  The word apostle has lost it meaning over time and we must understand this word if we are to understand what it means to be an apostle. The Greek word, ἀπόστολος, is formed from the Greek word that means one that is selected, a delegate, an ambassador, and in the case of Paul an ambassador of Jesus Christ who selected him.  This Greek word, ἀπόστολος, is from “stello,” to send, and the word “ἀπό “ means; “from”, therefore sent from, and Paul was sent, therefore is an apostle.  Barnabas was called an apostle; (Acts 14:4,14). Andronicus and Junias ( Romans 16:7).  There is reference to two men who have this same word applied to them, (2Corinthians 8:23). Epaphroditus is called as “your messenger, (Philippians 2:25), and it is used of Paul, Silas, and Timothy in defining their relation to Jesus Christ, (1Thessalonians 2;6). In Ephesians 6:20 Paul uses the Greek word, πρεσβεύω, presbyter, to be an ambassador, and we to are called to be an ambassador: “Now then, we are ambassadors (πρεσβεύω,), for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore y9u on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God” (2Corinthians 5:20). While we were not selected by Jesus Christ as was Paul, nor were we selected to be an elder, πρεσβεύω, in a church, we are still ambassadors for Christ. Some have been called, as was Paul, to special office as an ambassador, but we are all called to be witnesses, and to speak the Gospel, to be an ambassador for Jesus Christ. Paul states that the Father raised Jesus Christ from the dead.  Some teach there is no reference that Jesus is of the same essence as the Father, that He is a second Person, but not God, but is this true, was Paul telling us that Jesus was not God, only the Father? NO! Read the words of Jesus in John’s letter who recorded the words of Jesus: “Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19). “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of the father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:38–40). Jesus is the One who raises Himself from the dead, and this resurrection is also said to be by the Father, and this is true for it was the will of the Father that Jesus Christ, His Only Begotten Son, should die, and then arise from the dead in payment of sin, sin which man could not, even by his death, pay this debt.  Paul gives this wonderful opening to the Churches of Galatia and those words apply to us: “Grace to you and peace form God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ” (vs. 3). Grace, peace, not from Paul, not from some preacher, not from those who are mortal and have the corruption of sin in them, rather this peace comes from God, the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ. Notice this, Jesus and God the Father are both given grace and peace, and the connecting word “and” conjoins the Father and the Son making them as one who is giving this promise of Grace and Peace. The Gospel is clearly outlined in these opening words: “who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age” (vs.4a). Then Paul concludes the Gospel message that this is the will of our God and Father.  God is not just a God to us; He is our Father, Father to all of His children. We are to do as Paul does: “to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen” (vs. 5). 

            Let us not be as some were in the churches of Galatia; those who hear the Gospel and be as those who would enslave you to the law, or to some theology that is not Scriptural making their gospel law and miss out on the Grace and peace God offers to those who believe in Him, in His Only Begotten Son, for if we are not believing, or following a lie, then we may say that we are Christian but our lives deny this statement. You have placed yourself under the burden of law, a burden to do, to work out your belief, to do things that seem pious but have no foundation in Scripture. Let us become ambassadors for Jesus Christ and be a witness to the truth as declared and revealed to us in God’s holy word. There is not some new revelation as some teach, some new way, some new thing we must do; NO!  The word of God as spoken and written by men of God, by Paul in this case, is what we follow and apply in our lives.

            Do you want grace and peace? Do you believe that Jesus raised Himself from the dead and will raise all those given to Him by the Father? Then in whatever manner you are called to do and be in this life, you are an ambassador and witness and all that God has promised is yours, not from your doing which comes from a grateful heart, a believing heart, which is necessary, but by the will of God He gives these promises to you freely. Praise God!

Behold the proud,

            His soul is not upright in him;

But the just shall live by his faith.

                                    Habakkuk 2:4

Follow Jesus Christ

Richard L. Crumb

The Importance To Know True Doctrine: Galatians

O foolish Galatians!  Who as bewitched you

that you should not obey the truth,

before whose eyes Jesus Christ

was clearly portrayed among

you as crucified?

This only I want to learn from you:

did you receive the Spirit by

the works of the law, or by the

hearing of faith?

Are you so foolish?  Having begun

in the Spirit, are you now being

made perfect by the flesh?

Galatians 3:1–3

            To fully understand why a person, in this case an apostle, Paul, write in some manner and history will give us aid to our understanding. Paul wrote to the Galatians and this letter has from all times of the Christian church accepted as such.  Galatians was not written to one church, rather to a group of churches in Galatia. Who are the Galatians?  They were Greeks.  The Gauls, better known as Gallic people or Celts and lived in the Celtica region of Gaul.  The Gaul region correspond to Belgium, France, Switzerland, and parts of the Netherlands and Germany on the west bank of the Rhine river and included parts of Northern Italy.  The people called Gauls existed from the Iron age to the Roman period.  Julius Caesar around the year 50 B.C. conquered the Gauls and the Gauls were then assimilated into the Gallo–Roman Culture, this and the fact the German tribes were also expanding. The Gauls were dominated by the druid priestly class and the important unit for the Gauls was the tribe.  Julius Ceasar divided the Gauls into several units and one such division; which we will be examining, is those divided and sent into the area called Galatia. The religion of the Gauls was a form on animism and this religion ascribes human characteristic to lakes, and mountain and other natural features.  Also the worship of animals and the most sacred animal was the boar, this can be found on Gallic military standards, like the Roman eagle. The Gauls were a polytheistic society, yet there was no absolute theology that could be related to any evolving traditions of worship. The most intriguing religion was the practice of the Druids and the Druids were important in Gallic society.  In time those who were divided and moved into the Galatian region developed their own language.  The Gauls mingled with the Greeks and were first called Gallo–Greeks, and then Galatians, a name from ancient Gaul.  At the dispersion, first in 70 A.D. and later in 135 A.D. many Jewish people settled in the Galatian region and parts of Greece.  The apostle Paul first introduced the Gospel to them and many converted to Christianity.  The history of the Galatians was introduced so that you may understand that these people had a history of paganism and when Paul departed from them they became tempted by Judaism which encouraged them to return to sacred rites; i.e., circumcision, and the Torah.  Paul writes to the Galatians from Ephesus, a city that Paul visited on his first journey and his letter is to bring them back in remembrance of that which was taught to them, a belief in the truth.  Due to there being false teachers, false apostles, the Galatians were seduced and persuaded, especially was there a persuasion that the apostle Paul was not an apostle for he was not one of the Twelve apostles appointed by Jesus Christ.  Therefore, Paul felt the need to refute the calumny and this by true reasons and by the authority of the Holy Spirit to prove that he was commissioned, not be men, nor through men, but by Jesus Christ who chose not only the original apostle, the twelve, but him also.

            The letter of Galatians is extremely doctrinal, as the letter to the Romans, therefore it is of utmost importance to us so that we are not persuaded by false apostles.  We are not so different from the Galatians inasmuch as we have or may have come from a background steeped in falsehood.  We may have followed other religions, or we may have life a life in darkness and corruption.  We too, still have, a remnant of this in us even after converting to Jesus Christ and there is a possibility, not a probability, rather a strong possibility that we too could be persuaded, seduced into thinking that what we now believe is wrong, at least in some way and become involved in apostasy.  There are men who desire you often for monetary reasons, or by a showing of large congregations, and make–up some religious rites that seem so true.  Are they?  Will you be strong and examine even now what you believe.  Will you pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit?  Will you, if you find that you are not associated with truth leave that behind even at the cost of friends, and even family?  Will you stand for the truth.  It is disturbing to me, and I have done it, to hang on to what is familiar, or just tacitly continue in what I know is wrong.  God has not called us to timidity.  God has called us to faithfulness.  The book of Galatians will give us solid ground, a strong foundation for our faith, our daily lives.  It is, not more important as a letter that other books of the Bible, yet it does contain good solid doctrine that we all need to either review or to show us the way to the truth.

As many as desire to make a good showing

            In the flesh, these would compel

You to be circumcised, only that they may not

Suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.

For not even those who are circumcised keep the law,

            But they desire to have you circumcised

That they may boast in your flesh.

                                                Galatians 6:12–13

Read God’s word daily you will be blessed

Richard L. Crumb

           

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No Excuses: Conversion Does Not Allow For This

And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You,

but let me first go and bid them farewell

who are at my house.”

But Jesus said to him, “No one, having

put his hand to the plow,

and looking back, is fit

for the kingdom of God.”

Luke 9:61–62

            God has revealed to those who will read His word His will and His commands for His children.  God furthermore uses pastors and teachers to teach how to apply pragmatically what He has revealed and His commands; that is if the teacher or pastor is presenting God’s word and not his own opinions.  This is our job, to know His word, and then, trust your leader, your pastor, your teacher, but, but, verify.  There came someone who said what we so often say: “Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said t Him, “Lord, I will follow You wherever You go” (Luke 9:57). Maybe we are like the man in a familiar story; a man in an airplane that had major troubles and seemed as though it was going to crash so the man prayed that if God would save him he would follow Him wherever He wanted him to go.  The airplane miraculously did not crash and upon departing from the airplane the man who prayed for salvation looked to the sky and made another deal with God.  How often after our decision to believe on Jesus Christ and even go through baptism and have such an emotional response to our salvation and then soon a new deal is made and you do not follow Jesus Christ as you promised.  We find all kinds of excuses not to do what God has revealed to us, those commands that He demands of His children.  Oh!  Lord!  I read what you demand, but before I do this I must do this or that, I must go to this or that, I must make the changes is me by going to this or that, I must, I must, I must.  God has told us what He wills for our life but when God allows us to go through a test of our faith, our common sense is taxed. Let me ask this question, not only of you but of me: What are you going to do?  Become apathetic and hang back, go back as the man in the opening Scripture said: “…but let me first go and bid them farewell who are my house.”  You came to Jesus with a contrite heart and there is no doubt that you desired to follow Him, but the trials of life has driven you away to make another deal, a putting off what is commanded. I will use an example of our making of excuses to not do what God has commanded, in fact, we have even made some theological excuses for not doing what God so clearly commanded.  We do everything we can and repent when we do not follow God’s commands; i.e., do not covet; do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not have other gods, honor your father and mother, do not murder, all these we keep as though we have done the will of God. Yes, in those cases we have do so, but, there is one command in the list of commands God has revealed to us: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8). God, I know what I said, that I would follow You, but before I can do all what You have asked I must take care of my family and have family time, we do own a boat and I only have Saturday and Sunday to spend much time with them, so I must take them out onto the lake and play, and laugh, and enjoy this time, but, but, I know what you have asked and as soon as the children are gone from the house I will make Sunday a special day to you, but until then the deal is that I will come to Church as often as I can, I will read your word as often as I can, I will meditate upon You and make the Sabbath, Sunday, a day of rest.  I know that you will understand, right?

            Suppose, just suppose that you do obey God in this matter, as well as other commands, is it that you will obey if God will allow you to use your common sense?  Is it that you are afraid to trust God and take steps into the dark?  Let this be your understanding; Jesus did not ask us to you our common sense in obeying Him, for our common sense is not of God but rather is defiled by the corruption of sin, and we will make all kinds of excuses as to why we do what we do and why we do not have the faith to follow Him wherever, and whatever He asks of us. We take risks in many things in life with little thought; are you willing to risk all for Jesus Christ?  If a person is to do anything worthwhile, there will be of necessity to take a risk, risking everything and this is what Jesus Christ asks and demands of His bride, God’s children, those He elected before time and we are to leap into what He says, and we are to immediately do this and when we do this we find that the Holy Spirit is in us and aiding us to do the will and commands of God. What is your common sense based on, its foundation, you, or on God?  This may seem mad, silly, impossible; take them to Jesus Christ in faith, this faith that led you to make a decision to follow Him and do not allow your common sense excuses keep you from doing what God has commanded. Do you believe Him as you have said?  How often we act as pagans in a crisis, our willing to hold on to that which God has so clearly, so plainly revealed to us in His word.  Are you willing, daring enough to place your faith in the character of God?

He who hears you hears Me,

            He who rejects you

Rejects Me, and he who rejects Me

            Rejects Him who sent Me.

                                    Luke 10:16

Allow Jesus Christ seen in you

Richard L. Crumb

You Are An Overcomer: Living What We Are

And the disciples came to and said to Him,

“Why do You speak to them in parables?”

He answered and said to them,

“Because it has been given to you to know

the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven,

but to them it has not been given.

For whoever has, to him more will be given,

and he will have abundance; but whoever

does not have, even what he has will be

taken away from him. Therefore I speak to them

in parables, because seeing they do not see,

and hearing they do not hear,

nor do they understand…..But

blessed are your eyes for they see,

and your ears for they hear;”

Matthew 13:10–13,16

            How are we to interpret this Scripture?  Why was this included in the Holy writings?  Some have been given the ability to know mysterious and other have not been given this discernment. Why did Jesus speak in parables?  Could He not just speak plain and clear so anyone could understand? Then, with some amazement God’s children, and we know that this who He is speaking too, the disciples who were asking the question, they are blessed and see, and hear. Maybe you have had these questions or at least why did speak in parables.  You are not alone I am sure for even I who study regularly have these questions; it is natural, it is by the faith given to us by God that we even desire to ask a question and then to seek out the answer.  How do we interpret Scripture?  First and foremost: This is God’s word given to man that reveals Himself to man and reveals to us Jesus Christ His Only Begotten Son who is the Saviour for all of God’s children.  Therefore, we must enlist the aid of God.  How?  Prayer: speak to God; ask for help, then don’t just sit back and expect God to verbally speak to you, to give to you that which you are not actively seeking. A parked car cannot turn itself or move itself: it must be moving, and this is true of us if we want the enlistment of God we must then be studying His word, reading commentaries, and praying.  Interpretation of Scripture depends on the discovery, and enunciation of the meaning, and is to be undertaken by our dependence upon God. I covered this important aspect of the Christian life for many today have unrealizable hope that God will just impart into their brains what they need to know and do not take anytime to study His word.  It is important in interpretation of Scripture to ascertain the proper meaning and the mode by which this ascertaining is accomplished determines the results.  It is then imperative that the mode, or method used be proper and not some devised mode based upon a person’s presuppositions that are not consequential to Scripture.

            Do you want more?  Is this your desire to know the truth?  God will add to your sum of knowledge. As you see and hear you will be blessed and this blessing is promised as stated in the opening Scripture. Does God add to what is already present?  Yes?  Did not Jesus take a few loaves of bread and a few fishes and feed more than 5,000 persons. Yes!  Just as the bread and fishes were multiplied to feed all those people, this multiplication occurred when the loaves and fishes were passed to all in attendance when the work of distribution began. Begin studying; begin to learn and ponder on God’s word, and God will by you engaging in this study, pondering, and prayer, God will add to you engagement and you will rejoice in the marvelous increase of wealth, a wealth of knowledge that you did not have before.  Will this study be easy?  No!  Will you have questions?  Yes!  We must remember that what we have now is the beginning and then we begin to consider about things as they are in themselves, not what they might be and allow Scripture to interpret Scripture.  This may, and as I have found out, require word studies. This may, and as I have found out, a requirement that I understand the grammar of the language I am reading. This may, and I have found this out also, a possibility to make changes in my belief, my understanding that leads me to know the truth and by the Holy Spirit operating in me I desire to make this change, no matter what. Will it be easy?  NO!  But it must be done if we are to operate in this life as one of God’s children and be the witness for the truth. God instructs and we are to follow and do His instruction.  When we have done God’s instruction should we expect a pat on the back?  No!  We are just doing what our leader, God, has asked of us.  When we get to heaven we will then hear God say: “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord’” (Matthew 25:23).  Is this not enough?

But in accordance with your hardness

            And your impenitent heart

you are treasuring up for yourself

            wrath in the day of wrath

and revelation of the righteous

            judgment of God, who

“will render to each one according

            to his deeds.” Eternal life

to those who by patient continuance

            in doing good seek for glory,

honor, and immortality:

                                    Romans 2:5–8; cf. Psalm 62:12

You are an over comer: by the Power Of God

Richard L. Crumb

Obedience Is A Requirement For All Christians

Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities,

to obey, to be ready for every good work,

to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable,

gentle, showing all humility to all men.

For we ourselves were also once foolish,

disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts

and pleasures, living in malice and envy,

hateful and hating one another.

Titus 3:1–3

            Original sin and the corruption of the soul due to a person having no desire for godly things even though a person may know the difference between what is evil and what is not evil, subjected us, at least those who are honest about their past, to various forms of evil. We cannot blame our evil doing and desires only on the sin of Adam. Yes, he is the progenitor of sin, that sin that entered into the world turning the world upside down, but we are sentient individuals with the ability to make choices. Am I speaking of some Pelagianism or Arminianism doctrine which teaches man can save himself? NO! But, we can make daily choices that are either moral or immoral for in man is the knowledge of good and evil, a result of Adam sinning against God by partaking of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge whereby man from that point on has knowledge of good and evil and can make choices to do either or not to do either one. Satan was the cause, the liar, the one who deceived Eve, but Adam was not deceived for he willfully partook of the fruit from Eve when it was offered. He did not trust God who he walked and talked with in the Garden. Adam first hand knew that God not only existed, but that God creates and by a simply obedience to what he knew then he would have trusted God to correct this issue between Eve and Satan. It was simple obedience, no sin, no original sin, but free–will; and it was abused. To choose salvation is not a choice man can make for himself for his corrupted soul does not desire godly things and that means salvation. Oh! People hope to be saved, and they do all sorts of things to make them feel pious, or worthy, but without God enabling them to choose Him; they will not do so! God saves us and not ourselves saving ourselves. Yes, we must when enabled choose Him and live for Him and follow His commands and that which has been taught by the apostles and other Bible authors, i.e., Luke, Mark. God showed Himself once again to man in a real and empirical manner by sending His Wisdom by having His Wisdom become clothed in flesh and be the Son of God, the Only Begotten Son of God: “But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercer He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:4–7).

            Paul was reminding them, those who were not only in places of oversight in the Cretan congregations, but also for them, those overseers to remind them that as believers in Jesus Christ they have a responsibility to rulers and authorities. Was Paul speaking of government authorities and rulers, or was he speaking about those who were in places of authority in the congregation? This command by Paul to be subject to rulers and authorities has a two–fold application. 1. For those in places of authority in the congregation, that those Cretans who claimed to be Christian were to obey them and be ready for every good work. 2. To secular leaders, rulers, and authorities for this is what a Christian does as a Christian, he or she, follows the laws set forth by those in authority. This is abused in what may seem a slight and simple manner: The law in regards to speed, as in many places on highways in California the top speed is 70 Miles Per Hour, when posted or less when posted. Yet, we ignore the law, we are not obedient, rather we have made a prior choice to leave home late, or to just get to a place as fast as we can and then brag how quick it took to get to your destination. Some Christian, right, can’t even make simple but good choices, they don’t allow enough time to get to where they desire to go allowing for traffic, accidents, or flat tires, etc. But for many they have the sign of a fish, a Christian symbol on the back of a car or some bumper sticker that indicates that they are Christian and drive as though they were most important, more important than following the commands of God. This and more is what we were if we have truly converted to Jesus Christ. We are to have integrity, not only in our doctrine that should be our foundation, doctrine that is in Scripture and not some man’s doctrine. We are to show ourselves to the world as a model of Jesus Christ for we are to be the image of Jesus Christ. Are we slaves, bondservants to God or to ourselves? Are we pleasing God for that is why we obey rulers and authorities and not to just show by our works that we are somehow worthy for our worth is not in ourselves, what we do, our works, it is simply that God has poured out upon us His mercy by the washing of regeneration and a renewing of the Holy Spirit in us and then justified through His Grace. We are heirs! We are heirs! We are heirs! Do you get it, we are heirs, heirs of the kingdom of God which is eternal life a promise of God, a hope that is assured by the life of Jesus Christ, His death on the cross, and His ascension back to the Father where He now sits and makes intercession eternally for all of God’s children. All this being true then how are we to live? What are you plans for this Sunday? Is it to be a fellow worshipper with other brothers and sisters to God, to sing together praises to God, to just love upon our fellow Christians or are our plans to just take care of ourselves, yourself. Does this mean that a person cannot take a vacation? NO! Does this mean that a person cannot have time to himself? NO! Yet, we are not to neglect our duty to be obedient to the commands of God and to be subject to His command which commands us to subject to those over us, both in the congregation and to those who are in secular authority.

This is a faithful saying, and these things

            I want you to affirm constantly,

That those who have believed in God

            Should be careful to maintain

Good works. These things are good

            And profitable to men.

                                    Titus 3:8

Praise God For He Keeps His Promise

Richard L. Crumb

Standing Firm For God

Therefore, since we are the offspring of God,

we ought not to think that the Divine nature

is like gold or silver or stone,

something shaped by art and man’s devising.

truly these times of ignorance God overlooked,

but not commands all men everywhere to repent,

because He ahs appointed a day on which

He will judge the world in righteousness

by the Man whom He has ordained.

He has given assurance of this to all by

raising Him from the dead.

Acts 17:29–31

            The apostle Paul in this passage is speaking to the Athenians who had many gods they worshipped and a god that they gave honor known as the UNKNOWN GOD. Paul adds such solemn words for us to think upon so that we are living according to Scripture and not according to the fables of men: Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is their shame––who set their mind on earthly things
(Philippians 3:17–19). Paul is speaking in a frank and concise manner, not just some pejorative terms, rather that he might clean up the house of God for they are insubordinate and subversive leading people away from sound doctrine: “…whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not for the sake of dishonest gain” (Titus 1:11). I spoke in the last blog about those denominations that hold as their doctrinal position that make cause for such things as not wearing of rings, or wearing hair in a certain fashion, or not allowing wine to be served in communion as if it were sinful, not required though and this is not to be condemned for using water, grape juice, for those things are the physical and visible elements that are not changed into some other form, but they do represent spiritual things, this then is sound doctrine, yet, we are to be prudent, to be aware of the needs of our brothers and sisters for is we are doing things which are stumbling them we must not only instruct them, but no to judge them: i.e., vegan’s are vegetable eating people, no meat, not dairy products, etc., and they are often condemned but there is nothing wrong with this, although they must, by teaching, be made aware of the vitamin needed, B12, along with B6, for their muscles for in meat, or dairy products outside of vitamins can those vitamins be found. Paul had things of this in mind when he wrote to the Romans, confounding ideologies that separate brothers and sisters: “Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way. I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean or itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean” (Romans 14:13–14). This is not admit that all things are clean for there are things which may in themselves be clean but they are misused; i.e., alcohol beverages, too much chocolate, etc., we are though to be cognizant of our brother’s consideration and be considerate ourselves, but we must be cautious in what we approve: “Do you have faith? have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemns himself in what he approves”(Romans 14:22). God is judging the heart and if we all our minds to be corrupted it is not God’s fault it is ours for we are disobedient and unreliable denying Christ not oly in our witnessing, but showing the world that we are conquered by vices and sins and act contrary to the commands of God; this is denial of God. Are we not called upon to praise him, to profess Him? Yes!

            Are you under some form of bondage? Are you a slave to something in life that is taking away the joy of God, and the life that God gives you in this world so that you are not only a slave to that thing, you are despondent because you know that you are being disobedient: “exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in things. For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works” (Titus 2:9–14). Whose bondservant are you? A bondservant is one who works or gives service without wages. What use it when a person speaks one thing and does another in contradiction to what he spoke? Are we not to teach more by example than by words? Let us not be those to whom Isaiah when he wrote the words of the LORD: “Therefore the LORD said; ‘Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but have removed their hearts far from Me, and their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men,” (Isaiah 29:13).

            Today make the necessary changes that will be the witness God has called you to be, this is love, this is being a child of God. Are you living for this world? Do you really believe that you are already in heaven, just waiting for the time when you will die and your soul rest under the throne of God until the time of Jesus Christ’s appearing when we will have incorruptible bodies and live in those bodies eternally?

Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer,

            The Holy One of Israel:

“I am the LORD your God, who

            teaches you to profit

Who leads you by the way

            You should go.”

                        Isaiah 48:17

Stand Now For God

Richard L. Crumb

Being A Living Witness For Jesus Christ

For there are many insubordinate,

both idle talkers and deceivers,

especially those of the circumcision,

whose mouths must be stopped,

who subvert whole households,

teaching things which they ought not,

for the sake of dishonest gain.

Titus 1:10–11

            It is a sign of weakness to hold onto a theory, or a presupposition, or some ideology, even a theology that has not been examined and verified. It is a sign of weakness to just accept what is being propound as factual or truthful and not investigated whether or not it is acceptable according to sound doctrine. This then, sound doctrine, must be taught soundly, according to what is the foundation of that doctrine for if the foundation is not sound, or being thrust upon a person who is weak and feeble according to their knowledge of the Bible they are following deceivers, those idle talkers who subvert even whole households teaching them things they ought not: why? Dishonest gain! Gain is not to be singularly money, it may be power, a desire for some sort of celebrity, to be in front of people feeling this power but are nothing more than idle talkers. Am I talking about non–Christians, at least those who profess to be a Christian who talk about the same God as other Christian Churches teach? No, I am speaking about those who say they are teaching Christian Doctrine and sound so truthful even pointing to Scriptures, those proof Scriptures, that are not in context, such was the case for the Judaizers who were demanding that it was necessary to follow traditions; i.e., sacrifices, men’s commandments as set forth by the Pharisees, etc., but this is still in the Church today in other forms; i.e., must wear hair a certain way, must wear a head–piece, must be re–baptized, must, must, must, must, when often the one teaching such things are only idle talkers and deceivers for much of what is demanded has no foundation in Scripture, they teach what they ought not. These men are not true witness of God: “They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work” (Titus 1:16). We have what the early Christians did not have; a complete Bible, those inspired writings in a complete book, and not just a few letters that were circulated among the congregations. Some who copied the early writings did the abominable thing, they interposed their own presuppositions, or redacted what they could not believe, they were as what the Cretans were called: One of them, a prophet of their own, said, ‘Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons” (Titus 1:12). To Cretinize was to lie as this was the colloquial use of the word. We have liars in the Church and many households have been given false teaching leading them to be so liberal in their lives, doing things which the Bible clearly denies and commands the children of God not to be involved in such things, this is to set aside the true testimony of scripture and we are: “This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in faith, not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth” (Titus 1:13–14). The goal is not to just condemn those false teachers, it is to show them the truth of Scripture and turn back to that which is pure: “To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled” (Titus 1:15).  We are to approach these idle talkers, those insubordinate men who are not just insubordinate to man, but to God and: “But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1). This sums up the desire and the purpose of this blog, to teach, not what I believe from my presuppositions, rather to obtain my presuppositions from Scripture and verify my presuppositions by Scripture. To teach the truth, to study, not only those I agree with but those who I may not agree with to come to an understanding of what is being taught and whether or not it is pure and then to teach the purity of God’s word.

            Some will not do this, they will not examine what they believe in fear that they may find out that what they believe is not of Scripture even though it has the ring of truth, it is not. They read other books that are by supposed Christians, and many of those books are good as an aid, but to not examine the author, and the words written with Scripture is to become insubordinate for God has instructed us to study, to show ourselves approved by God, and then to pragmatically apply the truth in our lives. Many will object, even family members, friends, and others, for you may no longer do the things you used to do, to no longer go to events that are far often satanic, in the least, or most, they promote promiscuity, a looseness towards life. It may mean a change in the type of clothes you wear, and it may mean that you spend more time with your brothers and sisters in Christ. All of which may cause you persecutions. So what! Are you living for this life or for the life to come? Are you living for God who elected you to salvation by dying on the cross as the Son of God, God’s very own Wisdom clothed in flesh paying yours and my debt we cannot pay? Paul certainly gives us sound advice: “Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober–minded, in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that the one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you” (Titus 2:6–8).

            Can we do this perfectly? We could if were not for one thing: original sin, our fallen nature that leads us into bad thoughts, and at times wicked actions, maybe not such as adultery, or drunkenness, but how we speak and act towards those who speak evil of us. But we have something that gives us the aid we need if we will draw upon that aid, the Holy Spirit, God’s inspired word. Make use of the Holy Spirits aid, draw upon Him, and do this with the reading of Scripture, and in communication with God in prayer. Then, you will be a martyr for Christ, a witness. This is why we are here on earth after believing upon Jesus Christ: to be His arms and legs, His mouth, to be His witness and spread the Gospel in all the world.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father

            And the Lord Jesus Christ.

I thank my God, making mention of you

            Always in my prayers, hearing

Of your love and faith which you have

            Toward the Lord Jesus and

Toward all the saints, that they sharing

            Of your faith may become effective

By the acknowledgment of every good thing

            Which is in you in Christ Jesus.

                                                Philemon 3–6

Today subject yourself to God: Be blessed

Richard L. Crumb

Christians Are Not Apathetic: They Live What They Believe

The elders who are among you I exhort,

I who am a fellow elder and a witness

of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker

of the glory that will be revealed:

Shepherd the flock of God which is among you,

serving as overseers, not be compulsion but willingly,

not for dishonest gain but eagerly;

no as being lords over those entrusted to you,

but being examples to the flock;

and when the Chief Shepherd appears,

you will receive the crown.

1 Peter 5:1–4

            Peter makes this one thing plain and clear: those who are placed in oversight of the congregation have a tremendous responsibility to be examples of what it means to be a Christian, one who follows after Jesus Christ. Paul as well made this clear: “This is a faithful saying: if a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober–minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; one who rules is own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God/); not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil” (1Timothy 3:1–7). Paul goes on to speak to the deacons in the same manner. These must be true about the leader of any Church body, pastor, evangelist, teacher, those who hold home Bible studies, etc., for if not this type of leader how then could he correct a sinner when he knows that he himself admits to that which he reproves in another. When the Bible speaks of the overseer to be th husband of one wife is to be understood to mean that hem have a respectable marriage, not a wandering soul in look for ways to fulfill his lust. It is not that a man has had another wife, rather that he is monogamous and sets forth this example. This one must not be carried away with heretical teachings, those errors that the Church has faced from its beginning. He must not be in search of gain. A bishop, or as some are called an elder who have children, those children who are under their control, before coming into manhood, are not to be charged with profligacy which means to be extravagant, shameless, thoroughly dissolute, slaves to sin. How can one aid another in their problems with their children if these overseers cannot control his? An overseer then must be blameless as a steward of God. I will share from my perspective about allowing our children to be as the world when the world, its culture, is far removed from the commands of God, what God has spoken to us as how to live, to present ourselves as His witness: “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you” (1Timothy 4:16). Whether an overseer or not, we as Christians must not allow ourselves to pull us away from the doctrine of God found in His word: “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1Timothy 4:12). Yes, Paul was writing to Timothy and the first application in praxis is for Timothy but this command is for all Christians that is why we have it written so that what is good for the overseer is good for those who are in oversight. There seems to be an absentmindedness in regards as to what is chaste, just, holy and allow for the culture to be our guide as how to live in this life. We dress like the unbeliever, we go to places where there is unholy lifestyles, bars, rock concerts, all which will turn a person aside from the truth and from God being their priority in their life. The display of one’s body parts, the wearing of clothing or not wearing of much clothing, by the showing off of one’s ‘six–pack´ as though this is important to catch a lover or mate. Yes, to demonstrate a Godly life will bring some form of persecution: “yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2Timothy 3:12).  We cannot allow fear to cause us to become apathetic: “For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit” (1Thessalonians 4:7–8). An overseer is to be self–controlled, holding firm to that faithful holding fast to the doctrine of God found in His Scripture. What is for the overseer is for us who are members of the congregation, the catholic Church of God. Let us acquire what is commanded of God’s children buying out the time until we reach home with Him, and waiting in a worthy belief and practice in life holding fast to everything that He has commanded us, and make His doctrines the rule of our life. We have been give sound instruction, sound doctrine, who are we to confute those who contradict it if we are not applying those instructions and sound doctrine in our life? “Abstain from every form of evil” (1Thessalonians 5:22).

For our citizenship is in heaven,

            From which we also eagerly

Wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

            Who will transform our lowly body

That it may be conformed to His glorious body,

            According to the working by which

He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

                                                Philippians 3:20–21

Pray, Allow the Holy Spirit to lead You

Richard L. Crumb