Living As A Witness Of Jesus Christ

Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil;

for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking,

but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

For he who serves Christ in these things

it's acceptable to God and approved of by men.

Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace

and that things by which one may edify another.

Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food.

All things indeed are pure, but it is evil

for the man who eats with offense.

Romans 14 -- 20

            Paul writing in Chapter 14 gives great council by using by means of an illustration about eating and drinking foods and about observance of days that have become points of contention among the Roman Christians.  This contention, at least in some manner, exists in the churches today.  It is not wrong to examine things that are being purported as being of Scripture and insisting that those things followed without us taking time to examine Scripture to ensure that this is indeed fact.  What must have first priority in our life is our service to the Lord Jesus Christ.  The kingdom of God's is not about eating or drinking, rather it is about peace, and joy and we must remove from ourselves those things that would harm or hinder our peace and joy and our service to the Lord Jesus Christ.  Paul is telling us about our need to pursue things that make for peace and joy for if we do not all that done is to destroy the work of God.  How often is it that we put in for some things that are personally pleasing to us, or things that we have come to accept as being better than other things, when in actuality there is no validity to those things that are personal desires and beliefs.  In every congregation, there are men and women who are at different levels in regards to their faith.  This is due to the fact of their upbringing, the environment that they may have been raised, and the culture that exists within that environment and are now having the need to remove themselves from such past history.  Sanctification is not something that envelops us when we have converted to the Lord Jesus Christ.  Yes, God does not justify as by his grace, we are sanctified in his sight, and this is why when we die we are able to go to heaven to be with him.  Justification is one thing, and sanctification another even though both occur at the time of our conversion, this progression of sanctification is necessary for us to grow in our fate and this may mean that we must remove from us, or it pleased not allow things that we hold dear to be a stumbling block to others and to us.  As I have pointed out in previous blogs, the Romans were very traditional as to what should be eaten and when things should be eaten.  If we try to impose how we eat and live in this life against that which the Romans actually did then were going to misunderstand why Paul used eating and drinking and special days of observance.  Paul uses these things to teach us that it is how we are serving Jesus cries for the sake of the work of God and not to allow things to hinder this work.  Paul adds these things: "It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak" (Romans 14:21).  How often we try to impose our beliefs upon others or to say to ourselves and even to others, "well I have faith and I can do it as I please for I'm not offending God."  Yet, this is exactly what is being done that is, we are an offense to God and are a stumbling block to others if we try to impose what we'd believe, those things that are matters of in difference according to salvation, as this is all okay with God.  It is not!  Paul is speaking about faith and how we are to exercise our faith: "Do you have faith?  Have it to yourself before God.  Happy is he who does not condemn himself and walked he approves.  But he who doubts is condemned if the east, because he does not eat from faith; for what ever is not from faith is sin" (Romans 4 team: 22 -- 23).  There it is in a nutshell: "What ever it is not of faith is sin."  We live in a world today in which the culture has changed from a time in which we suspect, and common decency, has little or no effect.  In fact, so often said of us who have lived from the 40s until now that we are in some ways relics, or old -- fashion.  We live in a society when people want to do things their way, to be autonomous, even to live in antinomy, no rules, everyone has their truth, and their truth is much truth as anyone else’s truth.  It seems as though the need for such things as "empowerment," a need to please ourselves as of this life is all there is in heaven is something that is possible but not really believe actually occur.  While the books of the Bible have chapters and verses, the original letters did not for those separations are man -- made and are to it in some sense and able to help us to learn.  Paul continues to write: "We then who are strong on to bear with the scruples of the week, and not to please ourselves.  Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to the edification.  For even Christ did not please himself: but as it is written, "reproaches of those who reproached you that fell on Me"" (Romans 15: 1 -- 3).

            We are being formed into the image of Jesus Christ's, not for sometime in the future when we die and go to heaven although that is true, it is rather come to be formed in the image of Jesus Christ to become His witness to the world.  It takes courage to be a Christian.  It takes courage to stand against the culture of this world that is in opposition to God.  Sunday is coming; are you preparing to worship with your brothers and sisters, and fellowship with them?  Are you willing to set aside time to encourage other brothers and sisters 80 each of you to grow in your faith and your devotion to God?  If so, then you are helping yourself and others to be courageous.  This is what is needed today, courage and the willingness to set this day, Sunday, as the day simply set aside for God.  Are you courageous enough to do so?  I pray that it is so!

The heart is deceitful above all things,

            and desperately wicked;

who can know it?

I, the LORD, search the heart,

I test the mind, even to give every man

according to his ways, according

to the fruit of his doings.

                                    Jeremiah 17: 9 -- 10

Live in the joy of the Lord

Richard L. Crumb

Walking According To The Love Of God

So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.

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 of itself;

but to him who considers anything to be unclean,

to him it is unclean.

Romans 14: 12 -- 14

            Peter and his first epistle gave an account that the brothers and sisters in Christ are not to live as they may have done in the past, that is, to live fleshly.  Peter tells us that we have spent enough time in our past doing those things that contradicts to the will of God; i.e., walking in lewdness, drunkenness, loss, revelry, drinking parties, and other abominable idolatries; (1 Peter 4: 3).  Then he says to us and to those who have lived in such a way as to be outside the will of God that they will: "They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead" (1 Peter 4:5).  The apostle John in the revelation states: "Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and they haven't let away.  And there was a found no place for them.  And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened.  In another book was opened, which is the book of Life.  And the dead were judged according to their work, by the things which were written in the books.  You see gave up the dead who were in it, and death That And Hades delivered up the dead who were in them.  And they were God, each one according to his works" (Revelation 20: 11 -- 13). Christians so often speak of this time when they will give an account for the life they lived while on this earth.  The question that needs asked of each person is whether, or not they actually believe God will judge them according to how they live this life.  It seems that so often the cares of the woes and the pleasures of this world take higher priority and overshadows this fact that God will give judgment to those whom my report and give an account of their life.  Paul here is telling us that every one of us shall give an account of himself to God.  We are not going to give an account for others, and they are not going to give an account for runs.  How have we spent our time, how have we improved our opportunities, what have we done, and how we have done it.  What we must do is judge ourselves.  We must do that which God has commanded an ASP was.  What has been asked?  We are to study to show ourselves approved workmen unto God (2 Timothy 2: 15).  We are to prepare ourselves to be able to give it to friends or are we (1 Peter 3:15).  God has called us to be His witness about His Son.  We are to be the ambassador's (2 Corinthians 5: 20) of Jesus Christ because our citizenship does not have the priority in this life no matter where we live, no matter what country, no matter what state, or city, yes we are citizens of the land where we live, and yet, our citizenship resides in the heavens (Philemon 3:20).  Therefore, we must take heed of those things that we say or those things that we do especially are we to take heed of those things that may cause our brother to stumble or fall.  Let us take an example that may help us to understand our responsibility towards others: let us say that we are going to invite people over for dinner, people from our church, a great time to have fellowship at a time to get to know in a more intimate way our brothers and sisters.  What should we do?  Our responsibility is to asked him some important questions: e.g., do they drink alcoholic beverages?  Maybe it is that you like wine with your dinner and yet they find this to be repulsive to them so then are we to judge them as being wrong?  Are we judging it according to what they have decided as unclean?  Or are we to ask so that we know what not to present even though it may go against what we have no problem with.  The goal is not to prove what we believe, rather to enjoy a fellowship time with our brothers and sisters and should allow nothing to come in between that fellowship.  Maybe they have certain analogies that need to be taken into account.  Maybe it is that they are weak in their faith therefore we must not put something in front of them that would be a stumbling -- block, a hindrance, and discouragement, we must not make this medication for them to fall.  We lead by example, and buy influence, so that without any satisfaction about his or her Christian liberty, cause them to act against their own conscience even those things that we believe the lawful.  We are not to assert our Christian liberty so that we lord it over another because this would be nothing more than some form of virtual pride, and self -- preference.  Let us be careful not to abuse our liberty by the improper use of lawful things.  Did not Paul tell us that one person considers something unclean and another clean, that one person is deemed one day above another, and another as things everyday alike.  We do not live up to ourselves before we live to Him who died for us.  We are instructed to walk in love, the Greek word here is agape, God's principled love, for Paul does not say to love Phileo, that is love of a friend or friendly love rather we are to love is God loves and God loved us so much that He came Himself to pay the debt owed to Him, Himself.  Yes the one who was sent to this earth, the very Wisdom of God, Emmanuel, God with us, but God/Man Jesus Christ, God in flesh, for you and I: so why are we not willing to deny ourselves and follow him as his ambassadors, as one of his children?  Paul goes on to say this for us: "yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love.  Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died.  Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14: 15 -- 17).  Another question for us to answer for ourselves is who are we serving, our desires, our likes, or that which is of God?  Paul as: "for he who served Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.  Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.  Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food.  All things indeed are pure but it is evil for the man who eats with offense" (Romans 14: 18 -- 20).

            It takes courage to be a Christian, it takes strength to stand against the wiles of the devil, and those wild come to us by others who disagree with our Christian faith.  Will you be strong?  Will you be courageous?  Will you allow the strength of God to lead you as you walk in this life and prepare to stand before God and hear him 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.  If you're into the joy of your lord’" (Matthew 25: 23).

With him are wisdom and strength,

He has counseled an understanding.

                        Job 12: 13

Be lead by God and not of yourself

Richard L. Crumb

How Are Christians To Judge?

Receive one who is weak faith,

but not to dispute over doubtful things.

Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat,

and let not him who does not eat judge him who he eats;

for God has received him.

Who are you to judge another's servant?

To his own master he stands or falls.

Indeed, he will be made to stand,

for God is able to make him stand.

Romans 14: 1 -- 4

            It is very interesting that Paul writes about one who is weak in faith and ties this weakness about eating.  What does it mean when it is said to: "Receive one who is in the faith" ?  The Greek word used here by Paul is: "άσθνοϋντα" that has the meaning of strengthless and can mean physical weakness and also spiritual weakness that is that a person had the inability to accomplish his salvation.  Paul then adds that although this person is weak in his faith and may also have certain things that would lead to disputes Christians were not to disputes with them over these "doubtful things."  Paul then speaks of eating and then joins eating about judging what a person may eat.  Apparently these "doubtful things," were simply matters of indifference and people were making them matters of difference.  This often happens in our churches today and with one denomination against another that is often done nothing more than harm the Christian religion.  Let us look at the ancient role to who Paul was writing and see if we can understand at least in some way by Paul would use this allegory to reprove the Roman Christians.

            Looking at the first century A.D. the Roman Empire had grown to possibly a population of some 50 -- 60 million people.  When Jesus was alive on the earth, it was a time that known as the Pax Romana, or the "Peace of Rome."  By the time that Paul was writing to the Romans many of the Roman emperors were horribly cruel although some were in some sense moral, yet the four dynasties that followed Jesus into an often with the violent overthrow of an emperor who was considered unfit.  After the death of August and by the time a Nero in 68 A.D. the King Emperor and the original Roman Republic had now been put to an end.  Of course, Nero is well remembered by the fire of Rome and that this fire was charged against the Christians.  A typical life for a young person in Rome was that of Mary just been arranged, festivals designed to celebrate a child coming -- of -- age, and of course the well-known communal baths.  Also, during this time the very wealthy initiated these spectacles of gladiatorial combat at all the ceremonies that were held to honor a persons deceased relative.  These gladiatorial gains became the property of the emperor and he used these things as a primary purpose to entertain the multitude of people.  Do we not see something similar to this today, a great desire to be entertaining to and many jam into the football stadium, or hockey Stadium, or basketball stadiums and even baseball stadiums and including many of the movie theaters.  People want to be entertained and often this entertainment takes greater priority over the Christian faith.  In the years, 66 -- 607A.D the Jews revolted in Judea, with full -- still read Eliot against the Roman rule.  This brought the Romans against Jerusalem and they surrounded it and eventually scaled the walls and destroyed the city and possibly some 40,000 Jews were killed.  This is the world that Paul lived and preached to both the Greeks and now to the Romans.  There was a strong influence of the Greco -- and Roman environment so that the Christian and Jewish families looked quite similar to the Greco -- Roman families.  It must be remembered that at this time Christians were the minority in the population.

            The Roman government set forth dietary guidelines as to what should be in, e.g., fruits were to be added to the meals in the Roman Republic didn't really have much concern about overweight, or expanding waistlines and even health issues.  Yet, there were laws, Sumtuariae Leges ('sumptuary laws') that were just dying to limit extravagance, i.e., time spent at the meal table.  Regardless of sumptuary laws, the poor Romans ate mostly cereal grains, and for each or bread.  So it was, food, like the weather, was generally the universal topic of conversation that at times even cause disputes as to what to eat, or what not to eat as though they were doing something immoral.  Paul then uses this conversations that led to just use, or judging to point to something greater than just eating, or judging telling us not to be a judge of another's servant.  We must be careful today as to what we speak for, or against, then maybe matters that do not fall into matters of judging as though we are judging someone's salvation.  "For God is able to make him stand" (Romans 14b).  Celebrations, festivals, were a major part of the Roman life, and it is not far fetch to think that Christians also participated in celebrations, and festivals.  But Paul adds this: "One person is deemed one day above another; another esteemed every day alike.  Let each be fully convinced in his own mind.  He who observes that day, a bizarre visit to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it.  See you east, east to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks" (Romans 14: 5 -- 6). How often how often disputes arise within the Christian Church over matters of when, how, and whether it not be liturgical, or non--- liturgical, should quote creeds, or not quote creeds, whether or not one should be baptized by immersion, sprinkling, pouring, infant baptism, only adult baptism, so long, so long, so on.  I am not speaking against certain things or those differences between denominations, only when the disputes do not recognize, or observe the fact that a person is doing what they are doing to the Lord.  The principle that should be guiding us in Scripture is what is known as the Regulative Principle, that is when Scripture is silent, unless there are other scriptures that give a solid inference about a subject, we are to be silent.  How often do we make them matters of indifference, e,g., to play with musical instruments or not, the only sing the Psalms, or not, to use PowerPoint, or not; and the disputes go on and on.  If your preference is Scriptural and isn't done to the Lord, whether you are eating as a vegan, and, or as an omnivorous person, it should not matter for each ought to be doing what they are convinced of their own mind to be good, if they are doing this to the Lord, and they are only matters of indifference.

            How often we want our desires, those matters that are important to us, to be the standard for Christianity, and the Christian life.  We must remember something so very important; we are only passing through this world, for our home is with Jesus Christ in heaven.  We live for the Lord Jesus Christ: "For anonymous lives to himself, and no one dies to himself.  For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord.  Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's.  For to this end Christ died and rose and live began, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living" (Romans 14:7 -- 9).  The day is coming, a day that we will give an account for our lives before the judgment seat of God, therefore we must take great care in judging others and ensure that our judgment has to do with morality, and immorality, to ensure that the Christian congregation remains pure: "but why do you judge your brother?  Or why do you show contempt for your brother?  For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.  For it is written: "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God.""  (Romans 14:10 -- 11; cf. Isaiah 45:23).

            The question for us all is: are we living for our Lord Jesus Christ, or only for ourselves, and our opinions?  The answer to this question tells much about us and our faith.  My prayer is that our lives while here on earth are lived for the Lord Jesus Christ.

The LORD is good to those who wait for Him,

            to the soul who seeks Him.

It is good that one should hope and wait quietly

            for the salvation of the LORD.

                                    Lamentations 3: 25 -- 26

Our foundation: the Gospel

Richard L. Crumb

Maturing In The Christian Faith

Receive one who is weak in the faith,

but not to disputes over doubtful things.

Romans 14: 1

            The rules that we must abide by when studying the Word of God, and could be the same for any other study that we do, we must remember three things; context, context, context.  Furthermore, scripture interprets scripture.  To not abide by these rules is to be led possibly into it a false understanding of what God has intended for us to know, to exercise in our life, and to aid others.  It is also most important that we apply all biblical principles from both the Old Testament and the New Testament to aid us to the truth that God has imparted to us and not led by man's opinions.  As a reminder that chapter numbers, and the first numbers, that are in our Bibles were not there when the writers wrote their letters, and there he pencils from various churches, in people's.  We must not get hung up on the divisions that were supplied even though in most cases they are great aid for us to understand God's Word.  In Chapter 13 of the book of Romans and in verse 13, Paul writes: "Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in good as in last, not in strife and envy.  But put on a Lord Jesus Christ's, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts" (Romans 13: 13 -- 14).  Continuing Paul then writes the above Scripture and reminds us that we are to receive even those who are weak in the faith, and those who have differing opinions over things that would be matters of indifference, or doubtful things.  The church at Rome had various differences of opinions and had need for instruction in regards to what it means to be a Christian and how as a Christian we are to address these various people and their opinions.  We today he needs this same instruction because there are various opinions among the different denominations within the Christian religion.  We need to come to understand what Paul was a tempting to tell the Romans, and that telling to the Romans given to him through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit applies to us today.  Paul never expressed a decision to put a stop to these various opinions.  Yet, we must understand this, we are not to be compelled or to give assent to any outward observance, or doctrine that is not scriptural for if we do then we would be nothing more than hypocritical in our teaching would lead people away from the truth of God.  This then, requires much study, for as Peter told us in his letter to the church: "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asked you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they define you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed" (1 Peter 3:15 -- 16).  As we mature in the Christian faith, we take on more and more responsibility to ensure that our congregations are free from unwarranted disputes and in false teachings that may arise from those who hold opinions above the Word of God.  Sanctification is while we are on this earth a progressive growth.  It is not that God has not sanctified us by the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ for all of his children.  This is true that when we die we do go to be with the Lord God.  Our sanctification does not have anything to do with our salvation other than we are to grow in our faith and we do this by studying God's Word.  In our growth as in maturity of our faith and in our sanctification we are to receive those who are weak in the faith understanding that there is an essential right for private judgment within true religion and not to allow this to be so is to attempt to produce an absolute unanimity among true Christians.  Many have attempted this utopian ideology and yet there is no such thing as a possibility for utopianism among people.  Why?  It is because there is one thing that has never been able to be removed from people because people are sinners and it is this: greed, and a desire to do things their way.  In part there is no harm in having various opinions on things that are only matters of indifference and yet there is much harm that can be done when we try to apply in matters of indifference to be matters of difference.  Paul starts to give us examples: "For one believes he may eat all thing, but he who is weak eats only vegetable.  Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who needs; for God has received him" (Romans 14: 2 -- 3). When a person puts this personal belief as the only way in which to live, whether it be easy and all things, or just eating vegetables, then this is a problem and if the person is a weak believer then our disputation will harm him/her.  Paul then adds: "Who are you to judge another's servant?  To his own master stands or falls.  Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stay" (Romans 14: 4). As Paul could endure these various opinions so ought we also are to do the same.  Keep this in mind, that if a person does not profess repentance and has a believing dependence upon God, knowing that they are a justly condemned sinner, saved on the righteousness and atonement of Jesus Christ, that Jesus Christ is God manifest in the flesh, and he is relying on the Holy Spirit for teaching and sanctification: he or she cannot be considered as a believer.  Many would like to say that we are not to judge anyone, but this is not so for we are to examine all people who claim to be believers to ensure that they actually are even though they may be weak in the faith and have various opinions on matters of indifference.  We are to examine all people and to judge them according to God's word and not to some man-made opinion or doctrine.  We are to receive into our congregation those that are weak in the faith, to help that one, to encourage him or her, to receive them and not argue about certain points that will only perplex and shake his or her faith.  It is so easy to attempt to defend one's own beliefs, even those beliefs that are in actuality only matters of indifference but we are to humble ourselves and not speak evil of those who are truly Christian and yet weak in the faith: "Humble your selves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.  Do not speak evil of one another, rather in.  He who speaks evil of another and judges his brother speaks evil of the wall and judges the law.  But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge there is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and destroy.  Who are you to judge another" (James 4: 10 -- 12)?  Notice here that James is speaking about judging a brother, not a person who is not a brother.  We are to judge sin, and sinfulness, for we have the responsibility to keep our congregations clean and pure.  Once a person has proven that they are truly converted Christians no matter the level of their faith we are to aid each other to grow in our faith and in the knowledge of the Lord and not to just condemn them by judging them for things that are matters of indifference.

            As I continue in this chapter 14 of the book of Romans Paul will explain to us exactly what has been set forth in this blog.  I hope this is very helpful to you as it is for me to be reminded of our responsibility as a child of God.

To know wisdom and instruction,

            to perceive the words of understanding,

to receive the instruction of wisdom,

            justice, judgment, and equity;

to give prudence to the simple,

            to the young man knowledge and discretion––

a wise man will hear an increased learning,

            and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel.

                                    Proverbs 1: 2 -- 5

Receive God's instruction

Richard L. Crumb

Love: God's Way

Owe no one in the anything except to love one another,

for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. 

For the Commandments,

"You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder,"

"You shall not steal," "You shall not covet," and if there

is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying,

namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore in love

is the fulfillment of the law.

Romans 13: 8 -- 10

            I took a week vacation to visit family and friends that have come back with the new Outlook and very invigorated to continue the study of the Bible and especially this very doctrinal book by Paul, the book of Romans.  This chapter, chapter 13, began by speaking of our responsibility towards those who govern us and what we have found is that the governments are ordained by God, and are in their position because God not only allowed it but requires of them to rule in his justice.  We, as ambassadors for Jesus Christ, are the people who must ensure God's justice is being applied in our world, then, we have the responsibility to ensure that our governments are providing safety, protection, and are doing all they can to ensure the freedom that people have the right to not only have but to pass on to their posterity.  As good citizens we are to pay our taxes, obey the laws of the land, and if for any reason we object to any law then we have the right and responsibility to do all we can to right the law.  Not according to what we feel it should be, but what it actually should be bringing freedom and justice and protection.  If we are being good citizens then we are showing love, agape love, that is, a principled God love towards our neighbors.  The divine fruits of righteousness should abound among you.  This free gift of righteousness given to you by God, that which has been not only received but engrafted which is the spiritual gift promised by God, and that spiritual gift is the Holy Spirit indwelling and you.  This indwelling of the Holy Spirit that God poured out and into you is the richness of God's love.  We've been as one be coming in the image of His Son Jesus Christ then we are to pour out that love towards our neighbors.  The Greek word used by Paul for neighbor is an interesting word and has more meaning than just our simple English word.  The Greek word "πλησίον" with the accompanying article is denoting that he is the one near that is neighbor.  Within the Palestine country people were scattered throughout the land even though they would come together in villages to do shopping or other things necessary this word being very comprehensive in scope than speaks of the responsibility, and the privileges, and the duties of a neighbor, or a neighborhood.  We have the strictest obligation to love above our own souls.  Why?  Because of faith and love dwelling in you is so great and has the hope for eternal life that God has promised.  As I write these blogs the purpose is never far from my mind and that is to change ourselves from our inside to be demonstrated on the outside.  The goal is that we might come to perfect knowledge of the doctrines of the Lord.  These doctrines are the hope of life, in about the beginning and the completion of life.  God is not indifferent to us for he has made known to us by the prophets those things that are passed and those things that are present in about those things in the future.  We can see that what God has promised has been accomplished, one by one, therefore, with the greatest riches of faith that has been given to us we come to an elevation of spirit to draw near to Him with a reference.  We must never forget that this world and its evil days are due to the malicious acts by Satan and his demonic hordes.  Therefore, we need to give very diligent heed to ourselves and diligently inquire into the ordinances of the Lord.  Fear, not just being afraid, rather a fear of reference, and patience, are our helpers towards our faith, and our long-suffering and are that which will give us confidence to fight the things that are opposed to the will of God.

God has given us that which we can rejoice along with Him, that is wisdom, understanding and even within science.  Our responsibility as fathers, or as mothers who do not have a husband, to carefully inquire concerning our salvation, lest that wicked one, Satan, would have an opening or an entrance by deceit to attempt to hurl us from our true life.  God has said to us that we should humble our soul, and that we should loose every band of iniquity, that we should untie the fastenings of harsh and bad agreements, to restore to liberty those that are bruised, to clothed the naked, and if necessary to bring the homeless even into our own homes.  We are not to despise the humble, and we are not to turn away from the members of our own family.  Righteousness should go forth before us, and the glory of God should encompass us, and we should call upon the God who shall hear us while we are even speaking, and if you should do this then we will be taking away the chains that are binding others and will be stretching forth our hands, giving carefully the bread to the hungry, showing compassion to the souls that are humble.  It is to this end, therefore brothers and sisters, that God is long-suffering, for seeing how the people whom He has prepared shall with guilelessness believe in his beloved, God has revealed all things to us before hand that we should not rush forward as rash scepters of their laws.

           

And do this, knowing that time, but now it is high time to awake out of sleep:

            for now our salvation is nearer then when we first believed.

The night is far spent, the day is at hand.  Therefore let us cast of the works of darkness,

            and lead us put on the armor of light.  Let us walk properly, as in the day,

and not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness, not in strife and envy period

            but put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no prevention for the flash,

to fulfill its lusts.

                                                                                    Romans 13: 11 -- 14

Live Today: For Jesus Christ

Richard L. Crumb

Loving Our Neighbor: This Includes Examining Our Leaderships

But even if we, or an angel from heaven,

preach any other gospel to you than

what we have preached to you,

let him be accursed. As we have said

before, so now I say again, if anyone

preaches any other gospel to you

than what you have received,

let him be accursed.

Galatians 1:8–9

            Liberal theology has done just what Paul was warning the Churches in Galatia about; those who would preach and teach what the apostles had preached, and what they had received from the apostles. When a person, a Church, a denomination, strays from the Gospel, those things that were first preached, then all sorts of absurdities abound. Things of absurdities can be seen in so–called Christian Baptist Church, Westboro Baptist Church were they attempt to thrust upon people under the guise of Christianity their form of religion which is not what Paul taught and as what we have been studying in the 13^th chapter of Romans. Or, Churches that that teach that Christians are not to be involved in political affairs which is not what Paul was writing to the Romans to become, apathetic, solely submissive and be under subjection no matter of being under this subjection was of God ministering to them by the ministers of God, ordained of God, government(s). Christians are the ekklesia, the called out ones, called, enabled by God and we, the called out ones are to ensure that the nature of God is what is expressed by members of our Church, family, friends, and especially it is essential for our government. The call of God is not so that we do what we would like to do for Him, no, we are called to be the expression of Him, His nature to this world. To be a Christian is to follow His commands and His commands were summed up for us by Jesus Christ: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you have love for one another” (John 13:34). If we are to follow that command then we must not sit by apathetically and do little or nothing. Few called to do just that, to reveal Jesus Christ to the world. God is getting you ready by living in you by the Holy Spirit’s indwelling in you and out of this comes a two–fold application. One, we are expressive of the love of God by revealing Jesus Christ, and two from the nature that is being formed in us we through faith in His Son service extends to the world. The two work together, faith in God, and out of that faith works. The Son of God having been revealed in me, I serve Him, not in what I think that I should do, unless what I think is in conformity with His will, no, it is in the ordinary ways of life that out of devotion to God I serve Him. This service then having a foundation of God, our love for God, and for His Son, and by the power of the Holy Spirit indwelling me I will not sit by idly and allow others to make decisions for me, those decision that will affect my progeny. This would not be showing the love of God in us, nor found upon our devotion to His Son Jesus Christ. Do you believe that you are a disciple of Jesus Christ? If so: “by this all will know that you are My disciples, ‘if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). If we are not doing that which is ensuring that the will of God is taking precedence of evil then we are not keeping the commands of God: “Jesus answered and said to him, ‘If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him”(John 14:23). If we are not doing those things that are of the nature of God then it causes wonder about whether or not our nature is being conformed into the image of His Son. This is serious! We are not to owe anyone anything: “Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law” (Romans 13:8). How we can quote verses from the Bible, familiar to us and good, but often not from the true meaning for us; i.e., “For the commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not steal,” You shall not bear false witness,’ “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment are all summed up in this saying, namely, ‘You shall love you neighbor as yourself” (Romans 13:9). If we do nothing about how our government that is to be a minister of God so that what they do and decide is according to the nature and purpose of God, are we really loving our neighbor? Are we not doing harm? Is this actually following Biblical standards: “Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law” (Romans 13:10)? Yes, it is true that our true neighbor is our brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ, but this is also true of those outside the Church. Do you know who is one of God’s elect? Are we not to preach the word, the gospel to all and then allow God to enable the faith given to a person so that that person repentance and turns their life to God revealing the Son of God to their world? Time is now! Not tomorrow! It is now! Wake up! Paul ended this chapter that spoke of governments and how the children of God are to act towards government. We are to walk as Christians and that means to properly reveal God, His Son, in all aspects of life: “And do this, knowing the time that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not I strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts” (Romans 13:11–14).

Praise the LORD!’

            Praise the LORD, O my soul!

While I live I will praise the LORD;

            I will sing praises to my God

While I have my being.

            Do not put your trust in princes,

Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help.

                                    Psalm 146:1–3

How Are you spending the Sabbath?

Richard L. Crumb

Walking According To God's Commandments

Set a wicked man over him,

and let an accuser stand at

his right hand. When he is judged,

let him be found guilty. And let his

prayer become sin. Let his days

be few, and let another take his place.

Psalm 109:6–8

            This discussion about the role of government and the role of Christians in regard to their role to be in subjection and submission can take many more blogs. This I will not do! Let us come to conclusion. The Chronicler wrote: “Now therefore, in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the LORD, and in the hearing of our God, be careful to seek out all the commandments of the LORD your God, that you may possess this good land, and leave it as an inheritance for your children after you forever” (1Chornicles 28:8). If we unconditionally submit to some earthly authority then all we have done is destroy this possibility. The only unconditional submission a Christian must abide by is their unconditional submission to God, His precepts, His commandments, and by doing so will provide the way for man to live in peace and in a good land. God had revealed this gift of having a good land, and blessing and by God’s natural and revealed law(s). What are you and I leaving behind for our children? Is it a better land, or a poorer one? We all, those especially that claim to be converted to the Lord Jesus Christ to choose to do those things that are better in God’s sight that will lead to justice and freedom. This choosing will eliminate treachery, tyrants, slavery, and leave for our children a land worthy, a life worthy of honor. Speaking to king Solomon, words that ring true for us today and for those in the future: “Consider now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong, and do it” (1Chronicles 28:10). You are the sanctuary of God, His temple and so are those children who are one of God’s children, they are the temple of God (At times we may wonder), and we are to build this sanctuary to be for use for the will and purpose of God. We are not here to take up space, to live a life of antinomy, or autonomy, no, we are to be what God has determined for His people, a witness for Him, and to leave this world until He comes in a better state. Are you taking time each week, even in some way each day, to teach your children what it means to be a Christian, their role as they grow into manhood and womanhood? Are you availing yourself to be involved in the affairs of the local, state, and national governments? One may be involved in a greater way than another, but all should be involved. Think about this: 1700’s in the new land now inhabited by many who left Europe due to persecution, and having to live under governments that were in many ways tyrannical attempting to build a better place to live for themselves and their posterity. Time came when the oppression was too much to bear and they did not simply submit and subject themselves to such oppression. No! by 1776 the United States was born and a new Constitution now formed to ensure that this new land would be governed by justice. When justices is misused and becomes oppressive, not following the laws of God, then it is possible that a genuine recognition towards our submission to a God–ordained government may require reformation. This may require resistance, do not be misled here, I am not promoting armed rebellion, although in 1775 armed rebellion was all that could be done to secure this land for freedom and justice, we can resist by voting, by participating n the affairs of local, state, and national courts, Congress, and assemblies by our representatives. It is our duty to God, self, family, and neighbor that requires us to do this (“do it”). It is our duty and obligation to ensure that those given the power to rule and govern do so according to the will and purpose of God. We would not associate with such as prostitutes, illegal drug uses, thieves, robbers, murders, liars, and those who abuse their powers: “Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits’” (1Corinthians 15:33). We stand against evil, in all its forms, its methods: “Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lords’ sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of the foolish men––as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. Honor al people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king” (1Peter 2:13–17). Are you putting to silence the ignorance of some men who are acting and governing in such ignorance, and do you love the brotherhood so much that you will not use liberty to become apathetic and allow vice? You are a bondservant of God according to Scripture and by being a bondservant then it is the duty of a bondservant to do the will of his master and that master is Jesus Christ, God come in the flesh. Government is God’s minister to do good: “For he is God’s minister to you for good…”(Romans 13:4a).

            Government has God’s ordination to rule and we have the obligation to be ruled, but this ruling is not unlimited, it is limited by the will and purpose of God. Therefore, we must examine as to who are the ones governing, and what authority does he have, and how did that governor obtain that authority, and finally, how is the government using his authority? We need to ask the relevant questions and to ensure that the answers will lead us to leave this land to our children in a better state than it was while we lived.

And we know that the Son of God

            Has come and has given us

An understanding, that we may know

            Him who is true, in His Son

Jesus Christ. This is the true God and

            Eternal life. Little children,

Keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

                                    1John 5:20–21

By Love We Walk According To God’s Commandments

Richard L. Crumb

Our Responsibility As Christians Towards Government

All things come alike to the righteous

and the wicked; to the good, the clean,

and the unclean; to him who sacrifices

and him who does not sacrifice.

As is the good, so is the sinner;

he who takes an oath as he who

fears an oath.

Ecclesiastes 9:2

            The apostle Paul in his book Romans and chapter 13 speaking about governments he does not specify any single government. All that Paul does is to describe that a government is ordained of God and are ministers to dole out justice according to God’s will and purpose. This must be true if government is truly God’s ministers and if so then we, all people, and especially Christians are to be in subjection and submission to government. Is this an unlimited power by which government doles out it justice and purpose or is governments power limited? If limited then we must look at God’s word to come to an understanding as to what it means for Christians to be in subjection and submission. We last saw that people, combine together to form societies to meet their needs, i.e., food, commerce, protection, etc., therefore, as a society there is a need for those who would ensure, (government), that this end(s) are met. As God limits our power and our leadership we too must then follow, as an image of Jesus Christ Who is God, to not overstep this fact, God has limits. For God to have limits in one area is that God has limits in all areas of life. Governments are not exempt from limits. Government’s power is not principle that is it is not what is the original purpose for a government to exist. Government is only a fiduciary power. What this means is that as a fiduciary power, that power, entrusted to them for the benefit of others. Not just for themselves, as so often happens when government is not controlled. Government’s power then it is not actual, it is fictitious, not actual because it is only a derivative from those who allowed, or by voting, made cause for a government to exist. Government is not independent for it is dependent upon those who allowed, or elected them and this makes people bound to ensure that government operates in good faith, a faith that God imposes upon individuals, and government is not in itself an individual, it is made up of individuals. Government and their power is not the primary position for as with all individuals they, made up of individuals operation as a unit, are inferior to God’s ordination, for them, for families and for society as a whole. As those who are entrusting to others this power to govern we must never stop inspecting what we expect and this is done by taking the time to observe what government is doing and to ensure that God’s justice, that which they have been ordained to do and be is done. We can choose to be an observer and an actuary or we can choose to be apathetic and then tacitly approve of whatever government has done, by law, or other means. Is government imposing harm upon the people that it has as a fiduciary trust or not? We are to use reasoning, a reasoning founded upon the principles and laws of God. Unless a person is insane they desire happiness, protection and care, therefore if this is truly a person’s desire then it would seem logical that that person would be involved with those who are to ensure what is desired. God did not demand that a certain type of government be installed to rule, no, people chose, and do choose for themselves what kind of government they will allow to be over them and what kind of rule government chooses to rule by. Each person has the power to make a determination for their particular society, and has the right to expect that what is determined fulfills that society is protected, has care, and has happiness. Government exist for the equal and beneficial us for those that govern. God’s law(s) are not usurped, and allowed to be so just because a person has the position to govern. When Moses became the leader and governor for the people of Israel, he had the responsibility to govern according to the law(s) of God. As being under the New Covenant as Christians, we too have the responsibility to govern, our families, and those elected or allowed to govern, that they do so by means of God’s law(s). There is an obligation for Christians that God imposed upon them; to lead and to lead by His will and law(s). We lead ourselves, our families, and those to whom we witness to and demonstrating that we follow His will and law(s). Do not fall into the camp whereby there are those who think it unworthy for a Christian to be involved in politics, and some who believe that it is unchristian to be under any civil rule. Each belief is a perversion of the immutable natural laws of God that is that the purpose of individuals, societies, and governments are to govern as they have been ordained to do, and by means of their fiduciary responsibility. First, remember, as Christians, we are not free from just laws. To contradict just laws is to contradict the will and purpose of God. There is a legitimate purpose for government and a legitimate purpose for submit to government. We are free in Christ but not free from our obligation and to avoid our obligation to ensure that those who lead us are doing so in accordance with the laws and will of God. God has an objective standard of righteousness and we find that Churches, family, society are to be submissive to God’s immutable laws and are to be followed by every generation. God is not using any government that is outside of His will to accomplish His plan therefore making cause for a Christian to presume that they must by in total subjection and submission to such a tyrannical government.

            As Christians, we are to be the light of the world, to be the image of Jesus Christ and we are ambassadors for Jesus Christ, and as ambassadors, we ensure that the will of God is carried out by those in our congregations, families, societies, and in our government. We are to hold to God’s foundational standard for justice.

Because of laziness the building decays,

            And through idleness of hands

The house leaks.

                        Ecclesiastes 10:18

Be involved in Jesus Christ

Richard L. Crumb