Becoming A Warrior For Jesus Christ

And I myself, Paul, called on you through the meekness

 and gentleness of Christ -- I, who indeed to look upon

am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you;

but I ask, not being present, that I may be bold with the

confidence which I think to be daring against some,

those having thought of us as walking according to the flesh, for walking about in flesh, we do not war according to flesh; for the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, but powerful to God in order to pull down strongholds; pulling down imaginations and every high thing lifting up its self

against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity

every thought and to the obedience of Christ; and having

readiness to avenge all disobedience, whenever

your obedience is fulfilled.

2 Corinthians 10: 1 -- 6

            It seems to be very apparent, that when one stands for the truth, often the opposers are not those who claim to be atheistic.  Those with no feeling toward God; rather, often, it is those who claim to be Christian.  Paul had to face the opposers of his day, those Christians who attempted to find fault not only with Paul and with what he taught but attempted to defame him as not being a true Christian.  Paul now has to speak for himself, against those false apostles that had level their reproaches against him.  In the midst of these reproaches and denunciations against him, Paul remained humble and mild.  This is a great example for us, for when we are also reproach for standing firm for the truth, those temptations that would lead us away from the truth, we should be found to stand firm for the truth and to help us to do this we can think about this example of Paul, and this by being humble and mild.  Of course, as Christians, as one who holds the love of God in our hearts, we will examine everything that is being taught to us no matter whether it be Paul or any other church leader.  This is our responsibility and we should never avoid that responsibility.  Unfortunately, there are those calling themselves Christian and yet are walking according to the flesh.  I do not mean here to say that they are doing such sins as adultery, or homosexuality, or other such moral sins.  No, I'm speaking about those who are teaching false teaching and this often for personal gain rather than for Jesus Christ our Savior.  Paul tells about himself and again, for us for he said that he does not war according to the flesh.  We are not to war according to the flesh.  But before I move on I must discuss this word "war" for especially in this day when the news is filled with "war" we often think of military action but the Greek word here does not necessarily should not be translated military action.  The Greek word to use for war is: στρατευόμεθα, and does speak to perform military duty work to serve as a soldier but this is not how it is being used in this case or in other cases for it also speaks of a spiritual warfare, to be spiritually militant and this can be found in these verses: 1 Timothy 1:18; 2 Timothy 2:4; James 4: 1; 1 Peter 2: 11.  There is no warrant in Scripture for Christians to take active military action against those who would persecute us for our battle is spiritual and not as the Islamic Muslim religion teaches to kill infidels who are those who will not believe in their religious/political system.  Paul is teaching us that we are not to take aggressive competition just to achieve a particular goal for our battle is not fleshly it is spiritual.  Am I saying that we are to be pacifist?  No!  There is a need for Christians to uphold the justice of God and at times when an enemy becomes aggressive towards us as citizens of the United States or in other countries to overthrow our country our government then we have the right to uphold the justice of God and defend our country we must even by military action defend this country.  We do not do this just in the name of God as do other religious organizations such as the Muslims, no we are as citizens of this nation, a free people and not one governed by the government telling us what religion we should be.  And I speak, first, and foremost, for our nation as this would stand also for other nations, to defend our Constitution that was built upon men who believed in God and in justice.  First and foremost, as Authentic Christians, those who hold firm to the truth of the Bible and not to other men’s opinions or speculations in regard to what the Bible says, we teach the Bible to defend against those who would infect the church with fleshly ideologies and philosophies and a worldview that is not of God.  Our weapons, those weapons of our warfare are not fleshly.  They are powerful and Paul ensures us that this powerfulness is to God and this in order to pull down imaginations and everything that holds itself above God's Word, those things that are against the knowledge of God and the end of our warfare is to bring into captivity every thought to be obedient to Jesus Christ.  These strongholds that Paul speaks of is being used metaphorically for those things that men by mere human thinking and confidence is attempting to impose upon others, especially Authentic Christians.  We are to be ready to avenge those who opposes by harm, no, we are to hold firm to the Word of God and teach the Word of God and allow the Holy Spirit to call His children, or, to denounce those who are not His children.  Are you preparing for this warfare by studying God's Word, by being in prayer, intercessory prayer, and doing all you can for other brothers and sisters who are in need?  Or are you just tacitly sitting by and by doing so are in actuality a quasi-atheist?  Talk is cheap!  Action is needed!  The call of God is for us to take the gospel to the uttermost part of the world: Acts 2:8.  That may mean for you your neighbors, your family, and even your workers.  What is more important to you; to be successful in this life or to be successful as a child of God?  Only you can answer that question.

O Jehovah, how my adversaries have multiplied!

            Many are the ones who rise against me.

Many are saying of my, soul, there is no salvation

            for him and God.  But You, O Jehovah,

all are a shield around me; my glory and He

            who lives up to my head.  I cried to Jehovah

with my voice, and He heard me out of His holy mountain.

                                    Psalm 3: 1 -- 3

Leave behind all apathy: live for God!

Richard L. Crumb

Girding Yourself For The Work Of God

Now may He who supplies seed to the sower,

 and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed

you have sown an increase of fruits

of your righteousness, while you are enriched

in everything for all liberality, which causes

Thanksgiving through us to God, while,

through the proof of this ministry,

they glorify God for the obedience

of your confession to the Gospel of Christ,

and for your liberal sharing with them

and all men, and by their prayer for you,

who long for you because of the exceeding

grace of God in you.  Thanks be to God

for His indescribable gift!

2 Corinthians 9: 10 -- 15

           

            Acts of kindness given to those in need that has its foundation in your love to Christ are works that are accepted as works of righteousness and this benefit will remain forever.  God will not forget what you are doing both the good and the bad.  God will bless your good and chastise for the bad.  It is God who supplies the seed that the sower needs even giving the necessity of bread for food, and He who has supplied will multiply the seed that you have sown and will increase the fruits of your righteousness.  It begins with God, and it ends with God.  When God has given you the seed to supply the needs not only for yourself but for others you are to sow that seed and by sowing that seed you have increased the fruits of your righteousness.  This is not done so that we will become righteous for our righteousness comes due to the fact of our love for God and our willingness to be a worker for Him.  As a child of God you are enriched in everything Who has given to you liberally causing you to have Thanksgiving to God and Thanksgiving to God for those he has placed to teach and guide you.  As leaders and teachers, pastors, missionaries, a responsibility of administration is necessary so that there is supplies given to the saints and by this supply many can give Thanksgiving to God.  What is the proof?  It is your obedience, and obedience to Who and Whom you say you are and who you are by your confession to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and by this confession and obedience out of love for God you share to others.  This sharing is done liberally and you pray intercessory prayers for others.  You are being watched!  You may not know who is watching but they are watching.  What will they see?  Will they see the grace of God in you shown in exceedingly manner?  Paul finishes this portion of his letter the end of chapter 9 by giving thanks to God for His indescribable gift and the gift is Himself come in the flesh, the Son of God, who by His sacrifice upon the cross for our debt, and has given to you eternal life.  What an indescribable gift!

            A problem may arise when one is so involved in service to God because often the glory they are receiving is more for them than it is for Jesus Christ.  A term not so often used in the church is one that must be addressed, and that is sacramental Christianity.  What is meant by this?  The word Sacramental must be understood to mean the real presence of Christ being conveyed through the actual elements of speech and natural life of a Christian.  Paul said it this way: "But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world" (Galatians 6:14).  Notice this; that Paul is crucified to the world meaning that he no longer hold fast to the things of this world.  Is this true of you?  Let's look at this from this point of view: it is by the cross of Christ that you are saved from sin; and it is by the cross of Christ that you are sanctified.  How can you be a sacramental disciple?  When you deliberately lay your self on the altar of the cross, and give yourself over emphatically and entirely to be actually what you are potentially in the sight of God and this is that you are a member of the body of Christ.  This requires that you deny yourself, completely, unconsciously holding fast to the commands and will of God giving yourself over completely to Jesus Christ.  By this, you can be used as a sacrament to nourish others.  So often we are so conscious, consciously serving, consciously devoted to God; this is all immature, it is not a life yet.  Maturity is the life of a child and a child is not conscious that he is a child, and we should be so abandon to God that even the thought of being made broken bread and poured out wine no longer makes for tears.  How?  It is when you are consciously being used as broken bread and poured out wine that you are no longer interested in your own martyrdom  Yes, it is when you stop counting consciously that is costing you something for when you are laid upon the altar of the cross all consciousness of self is gone all consciousness of what you are doing for God, or what God is doing through you is gone.  No longer talk about "your experience of sanctification" for you have been brought to the place where you now understand what is meant by the words of Jesus Christ, "you shall be My witnesses."  Our sacramental service is to stop looking out for some work for God unless you've been led by God to do so, and that you maintain the attitude of a child towards God then He will do what He likes with you.  God supplies, God increases the fruits of your effort and of your righteousness.  Once you have entered that service, you can enter no other.  Live life, love God!

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying:

            "Whom shall I send,

and who will go for us?"

            Then I said,

"Here am I!  Send me."

                        Isaiah 6:8

Go!  God chose to send you.

Richard L. Crumb

Learning God's Requirements For Giving

Yet I have sent the brethren,

lest our boasting of you should be

in vain in this respect, that,

as I said, you may be ready;

lest if some Macedonians come

with me and find you unprepared,

we (not to mention you!)

Should be ashamed of this confident boasting.

Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort

the brethren to go to you ahead of time,

and prepare your generous gift beforehand,

which you had previously promised,

that it may be ready as a matter of generosity

and not as a grudging obligation.

2 Corinthians 9: 3 -- 5

            Paul intimated that some Macedonians might come with Titus to aid in their promise to give gifts to other churches and that the collection if not made by then would make them, not him, ashamed. By this admonition Paul was careful in the preservation of their reputation as well as his own.  What can we learn from this?  Christians have the responsibility to see to it that their reputation, that is, of their profession to be a Christian, you should adorn the doctrine of God and Jesus Christ our Savior and all things.  But Corinthians had promised to provide a gift, even a generous contribution and this was to be done not grudgingly nor out of obligation, rather than they were two offer this gift out of their loved for God, our Savior Jesus Christ, and the brothers and sisters in Christ.  Is this not also true of us today that we are to give not out of obligation? Far too often we give grudgingly, or have been coerced to give, even more than we have the right to give. What I mean by this is, that often times we will give out of what we have and what we have should have gone to pay bills, or to take care of the family.  To often this is done as if expecting that God will provide in this is found in the prosperity gospel that is being preached in many churches today.  Too often in many churches there is an appearance of an extortion complied money, or even works, and then this extortion is veiled in some scripture to give it the validity.  Too often contributions are given reluctantly when any gift should be given from gratitude, and as an act of praise and thanksgiving.  Our giving should spring from love, and a disposition to do good too and four the brethren.  What occurs is that there is a forgetfulness of the principles and obligations, and self-love for their brothers and sisters.  Why?  Because it contends powerfully against the constraining love of Jesus Christ, therefore it as with Paul and the Corinthian church, and as with us is necessary to stir up our minds and remember that as authentic Christians we do not live for ourselves only.  There is a principle, or a rule, a law, that we should be reminded of: "But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully" (2 Corinthians 9: 6).  This is not a new rule set forth by Paul: "There is one who scatters, yet increases more; and there is one who withholds more than is right, but it leads to poverty.  The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself" (Proverbs 11: 24 -- 25).  This rule or law was stated once again: "He who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he gives up his bread to the poor" (Proverbs 22:).  Far too many preachers in other church leaders use what was written about being generous and being blessed by this generosity to preach that if you give you will simply get but this is far from what is being taught.  What is being taught is your disposition in regard to your giving is in relationship to why you gave in and to whom you gave it: "So let it to one give as the purposes in his heart, and not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency and all things, may have an abundance for every good work, as it is written: ‘He has dispensed abroad, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures for ever" (2 Corinthians 9: 7 -- 9).  What is it that you should expect when you give as an authentic Christian who gives out of love?  Gods grace!  And this God will give to you abundantly even as he will ensure that you will have what you need, you're sufficiency.  There's no speaking of giving you prosperity.  Your prosperity is of no concern to God!  What is of God's concern is your heart condition!  If you are not giving according to the rule of God that says a Christian must give out of love for him and for the brothers and sisters then why should that Christian expect anything from God.

            There has been for some time within the church a push that a Christian must be a 10% is always been a question out of the gross income or the net income and there's been many answers.  If you feel that God has spoken to you to give that amount then give it for your promise to God.  But don't fall into this trap that you must give 10% as you can find in some false religions such as the Mormons.  This also falls into the realm of giving of your time for you must set forth in your life priorities and the priorities should come from your prayer life, your reading of Scripture, and even the use of common sense.  Let me share something with you from my past.  For 17 years I was associated with another religious group and while I came to learn that they were teaching heresy in their religious doctrine there were certain practices that we should take notice. Those practices when it came to giving was simply done in this manner: there were contribution boxes with a slit in the top of a person could put their contribution in the box and never was there a call for a giving or the passing of contribution plates.  Never was there not enough money to pay the bills.  So it can be done!  What is required?  That a person not only gives him the need of the church which is the brothers and sisters and other needs for the buildings and property is given because of their love for God and for our Savior Jesus Christ.  Maybe it's also be true of you!

He who loves pleasure will be a poor man;

            he who loves wine and oil

will not be rich.

                        Proverbs 21: 17

Give to God out of your love for Him

Richard L. Crumb

Obedience To God Manifested In Everything We Do

Now concerning the ministering to the saints,

it is superfluous for me to write to you;

for I know your willingness,

about which I boast of you in the Macedonians,

that Achaia was ready a year ago;

and your zeal has stirred up the majority.

2 Corinthians 9:1 -- 2

            Paul is giving to the Corinthians, even though excusing his need to do so, his earnest exhortation to charity and presses them to continue such.  Paul had no need to be justly urged them on by further argument, rather he was satisfied that what he had said is already enough.  Let us take notice that Paul refused to take money from any of the churches that he founded and we find his reasons expounded in 1 Corinthians 10: Acts 20:34, with only this exception and that is the Church of Philippi had sent two Paul while he was in prison camps and this was through Epaphroditus.  The Church of Thessalonica had once sent a gift to him providing some necessity for Paul.  It is found that his letter to the church at Philippi deals with his gratitude.  As we study this chapter in 2 Corinthians 9, we will find that Paul addresses about gifts, and giving, the providing for the needs of Christians.

            As we have studied Corinthians, the church at Corinth, we have found that they had many questions that needed to be answered and had many practices that needed to be corrected.  Also by our study of history we found that the city of Corinth was a bustling city of commerce and trade from all around the world causing there be a need to be able to speak in several languages.  Also due to this trafficking of men from all forms of religion and worldviews the church had entered into periods whereby they were no longer practicing Christianity as taught to them by Paul.  Paul was not the only one who had to address the Corinthian church.  Clement of Rome (30 A.D. – 100 A.D.) seems to have been at Philippi with St. Paul (57 A.D.) and was present when the Western churches were undergoing great trials of faith.  Once again there was a need for a letter to be written to the Corinthian church not only to answer some questions they asked, but also to address false practices that had entered into the church; and we find this in the first epistle of Clement to the Corinthians.

Owing, dear brethren, to the sudden and successive calamitous events which have happened to ourselves, we feel that we have been somewhat tardy in turning our attention to the points respecting which you consulted us;³ and especially to that shameful and detestable sedition, utterly abhorrent to the elect of God, which a few rash and self-confident persons have kindled to such a pitch of frenzy, that your venerable and illustrious name, worthy to be universally loved, has suffered grievous injury.

            A Christian church throughout the ages has had to deal with sedition, false teaching, and practices that are in contradiction to the will of God so we should not be surprised that is occurring in some of our churches today.  Clement of Rome speaks of their virtuous life and fear of God:

Adorned by a thoroughly virtuous and religious life, ye did all things in the fear of God. The commandments and ordinances of the Lord were written upon the tablets of your hearts.

How sad it is when Christians leave behind the truthful teachings of God and this the Corinthian church had done and then lost.

So the worthless rose up against the honoured, those of no reputation against such as were renowned, the foolish against the wise, the young against those advanced in years. For this reason righteousness and peace are now far departed from you, inasmuch as every one abandons the fear of God, and is become blind in His faith, neither walks in the ordinances of His appointment, nor acts a part becoming a Christian, but walks after his own wicked lusts, resuming the practice of an unrighteous and ungodly envy, by which death itself entered into the world.

What occurred in the Corinthian church due to the culture that was so prominent and secular that they fell prey to the practice that is unrighteous and not acting as a Christian.  Clement of Rome appealed to them:

Wherefore let us give up vain and fruitless cares, and approach to the glorious and venerable rule of our holy calling. Let us attend to what is good, pleasing, and acceptable in the sight of Him who formed us. Let us look stedfastly to the blood of Christ, and see how precious that blood is to God, which, having been shed for our salvation, has set the grace of repentance before the whole world.

Clement of Rome and addresses several things and one most important was that of faith.  If one is to expect reward of any kind from God your faith must be equal to that of those from the past that we have as an example: i.e., Rahab is one such example.

Let us therefore, brethren, be of humble mind, laying aside all haughtiness, and pride, and foolishness, and angry feelings; and let us act according to that which is written (for the Holy Spirit saith, “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, neither let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him that glorieth glory in the Lord, in diligently seeking Him, and doing judgment and righteousness”), being especially mindful of the words of the Lord Jesus which He spake, teaching us meekness and long-suffering.

            Who are you following?  Who is your greatest example?  Who are you obeying?  Is it a man, or a woman, some writing by some person?  How is your faith being manifested?

It is right and holy therefore, men and brethren, rather to obey God than to follow those who, through pride and sedition, have become the leaders of a detestable emulation. For we shall incur no slight injury, but rather great danger, if we rashly yield ourselves to the inclinations of men who aim at exciting strife and tumults, so as to draw us away from what is good.

            In our Christian growth, our sanctification in this life, it is as Paul wrote in his first letter to the Corinthian that so often is overlooked: "Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits’" (1 Corinthians 15: 33).

Let us cleave, therefore, to those who cultivate peace with godliness, and not to those who hypocritically profess to desire it. For [the Scripture] saith in a certain place, “This people honoureth Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.”

            What does this have to do with what we began this blog with: the giving of gifts?  Everything!  For if we are not truthful according to the word of God and faithful in all that we do then we will not give as God has put upon your heart to give.  Also, by not being true and faithful to the Word of God within seditious people will come in and teach you practices that are not scriptural. Let us obey God, and not the authors of sedition.         

The LORD preserves all love Him.

                        Psalm 145: 20a

Revere God manifested by your faith

Richard L. Crumb

Manifesting Our Greatest Gift

And we have sent with them our brother

whom we have often proved diligent

in many things, but now much more diligent,

because of the great confidence which we have in you.

If anyone inquires about Titus, he is my partner

and fellow worker concerning you.  Or if our

brethren and are inquired about, they are messengers

of the churches, the glory of Christ.  Therefore

show to them, and before the churches, the proof

of your love and our boasting on your behalf.

2 Corinthians 8: 22 -- 24

            The brother who was sent along with Titus is generally thought to be Luke for his services were well known that he has proven to be praiseworthy and he also was chosen by the churches and had joined the apostles in his ministrations.  What can we learn by this narrative?  All Christians have the duty to act prudently, to prevent as far as we can, all unjust suspicions.  How is it possible?  In the first place it is to act up rightly in the sight of God.  To our best ability in the sight of men we need to attend to those things that would be honest.  If we fail, and due to original sin that is within us and the need to continue to grow in our sanctification, there is a great probability that we will fail at times. God's gift is that He will forgive the true repentant. Charitable love extends beyond the giving of material gifts.  Our love is to be extended to aid our brothers and sisters in whatever need or circumstance they find themselves embroiled.  Are we not ambassadors for Jesus Christ? Yes! Paul in this letter has made it very clear that we are all, not just our pastors, or other leaders of the church, ambassadors, no, every Christian is an ambassador of Jesus Christ.  As Paul commended the Corinthian's for their charitable acts of love we to be commended for our acts of charitable love for this is the proof of our love and this is all for the glory of Jesus Christ.  All one must do is look at the life, and this natural life we find that our ambitions alter as we develop in our maturity and this is also true in our Christian life.  You see, the letters of Paul as written to the Corinthian church were written due to misuse of Christianity and in their following that which was taught to him by Paul which was inspired by the Holy Spirit to be given to them.  As they became embroiled in their Christianity they also began to add many things to their religious beliefs that work and contradict the will of God.  Their goal had not change or was altered by this new life for they made their exercises of faith their aim.  This is happening in many churches today for they are more embroiled in the doing of good things, which in and of themselves are not all bad, but this becomes their ambitious aim.  This is not the Christian life with its goal that was set forth by God for the Christian life has the goal that begins and ends the same, viz., our Lord Himself, Jesus Christ.  We start with Christ and we in with Him.  Our aim should be to attain the stature of the manhood of Jesus Christ, and not to what our idea as to what the Christian life should be.  The aim of an ambassador is to do God's will, not to be just useful, not to win the heathen; of course it is useful in a person is useful if he does win the heathen, but that is not his aim.  The aim that should be yours is to do the will of Christ our Lord.  Let us take a snapshot of the life of Jesus Christ and by this snapshot we will see that the climax, the aim, of Jesus Christ was His Father's will which was the cross upon which He was crucified and unless we go with Jesus there we will not have any companionship with Him.  Yes we may be giving material gifts, we may even be giving moral support, all that is good, all that is also necessary as a Christian, but unless Jesus Christ is our Lord and our aim in this life that is to become conformed to Him we really do not have companionship with Him.  Nothing deterred Jesus Christ on His way to the cross, neither gratitude nor ingratitude discouraged Jesus Christ and His purpose to go to Jerusalem knowing that He would be nailed upon a wooden stake, a cross, to die this horrible death that was assigned criminals which He was not.  The disciple and ambassadors for Christ, are not above their Master, therefore, the same things will happen to us on our way to our Jerusalem.  On the way to our Jerusalem there will be works of God manifested in our lives, people will get blessed, and even some will show gratitude and unfortunately others will show gross ingratitude, nothing must deflect us from our going up to our Jerusalem.  Don't be as many have become as they did in the church there at Corinth and upon what you are doing rather than your eyes upon Christ.  Don't just fix your eyes upon the horrible acts thrust upon our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ upon the cross.  No!  Fix your eyes upon the purpose of the cross and that was by the death of Jesus Christ wehre your salvation was vicariously given so that you can have eternal life not by anything you have done but by simply God choosing you, giving to you the faith to choose Him.  The cross is our gateway to our salvation and we do not and but by the grace of God and upon the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ you will end up in glory.  In the meantime our watchword is -- I too, go up to Jerusalem.

I am my beloved’s

            and his desire is

toward me.

            Song of Solomon 7:10

God’s vineyard is before you

Richard L. Crumb

Manifesting Charity

As it is written, "He who gathered much

had nothing left over, and he who gathered

little had no lack" (Exodus 16: 18).

But thanks be to God who puts the same

earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.

For he not only accepted the exhortation,

but been more diligent, he went to you

of his own accord.

2 Corinthians 8: 15 -- 17

            Equality has always been and is now the will of God and this can be seen in the distribution of the manna for the Israelites who were wandering in the wilderness.  The quality among people does not mean that each person has the same function in common for each has their proper activity and are expected to function in their capacity as set forth by God.  It is by each person maintaining God's desire function for them that allows for God's people to operate properly as a whole for each other and for the spread of the gospel.  Unfortunately equality among many people became, and has at this time, become and unequal exercise and misused as we have seen in the Islamic religion and others whereby men are forcing their authority in a harmful way towards women.  This then is also seen how that by a lack of equality in this area has fed over to a lack of equality in the distribution of food and goods.  Unfortunately into some Christian churches whereby there are women pastors who are acting in the role that was not set forth for them by God.  The culture of this world denying this dispensation for His people has led to a misuse of equality.  As recorded in the Bible and in other writings Christians gave to each other as the need arises.  But God by means of His Providence allows His children to supply each other in their want come some get good things in abundance of this world, and some less, and those who have in abundance then can supply those who are in need.  This does not mean to place a burden on some in their exercise to relieve the poor or two tax people or churches who are in abundance and give to some while exempting others.  No the desire was that there should be equality and that equality should be preserved among the brothers and sisters in Christ.  Human affairs are mutable, are they not?  Any sort of joking way I ask people to spell for me the word life and this they do with the letters: L. I. F. E..  That's correct but that is not how I spell life, I spell it: C.H.A.N.G.E..  Is this not true?  Life is mutable and always in a flux and change and there are times of great need for a person and there are times of abundance for that very same person, things are always changing and we need to be ready to aid those in those especially those who are our brothers and sisters.  God has a will for us to manifest this equality, that in our mutual and abundant life we are to supply one another, therefore we are to have equality.  Is it necessary that one destroy their property just to have the quality? No! If one is to destroy their property how could that and be an exercise of charity?  It is recorded in Acts reports of people selling property for the needs of others but we do not have much information as to whether or not this was their only property or some excess property that they felt that they could sell to those in need.  In the works of charity there must be an equitable proportion that is to be observed so that the burden may not like to heavy upon one or another while others are simply eased.  But all should think of themselves and should be concerned to supply to those in want or need.  This is what is being done and this is what Paul is commending the Corinthians and other churches as they were willing to freely give charitable gifts to other churches who were in me: "And we have sent with him the brother who's praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches, and not only that, but who was also chosen by the churches to travel with us with this gift, which is administered by us to the glory of the Lord Himself and to show your ready mind, avoiding this: that anyone should blame us in this lavish gift which is administered by us -- providing honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men" (2 Corinthians 8:18 -- 21).  Those who are in abundance have no more than food or clothing, and those who have little or not always absolutely destitute of these things, but often still are in need so that those of us who have an abundance must be ready to afford them what they need supplied.  The apostle Paul is commending the brother and I were sent to collect this charity and that it might be known who they were, and how safely in the could be trusted.  Titus was commanded to do this work and this because he was earnest and had earnest care and desire to promote their welfare and all things.  We can be thankful it is a cause or a thankfulness, if God is put into our hearts to do good for others.  Sometimes those who are asking for charity or relief for others are looked down with disdain, thankless, and yet it is a good office, and we should not be shy if we are called to be one to ask for charity for others.  There are many causes that have the need for us to supply what we can for them so they can continue their good work and not just for the work alone, rather, so that the glory of God would be manifested in this world.  This is as it should be for as a child of God we are commanded to care for one another.  The question for each of us and it will be differently answered before we are all in different levels of circumstances financially or in our abundance, is: what am I doing to aid my brothers and sisters.  Or those organizations that are doing the work needed whether it be on the missionary field where medicines and medical care is needed or in those organizations that are working diligently to help women not have an abortion.          

Do not rob the poor because he is poor,

            nor Opera as the afflicted at the gate;

for the LORD will plead their cause,

            and plunder the soul of those

who plunder them.

                        Proverbs 22: 22 -- 23

Today be charitable

Richard L. Crumb

Becoming Chritable Christians: A Command Of God

And in this I give advice:

it is to your advantage not only to be doing

what you began and we're desiring to do a year ago;

but now you also must complete the doing of it;

that as there was a readiness to desire it,

so there also may be a completion out of what you have.

For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted

according to what one hand has, and not

according to what he does not have.

For I do not mean that others should be eased

and you burdened; but by an equality,

that now at this time you're abundance may supply their lack

that their abundance also may supply your lack -- --

that there may be equality.

2 Corinthians 8: 10 -- 14

            Before I continue a must apologize for yesterday's blog I gave a reference as 2 Corinthians 8 when in fact it was 2 Corinthians 5.  Apologize and the hope that you will look of those scriptures up and apply those of your life.  Unfortunate times I get a bit rushed.  Let me continue.  Starting today I am traveling to Fresno for a few days so I made this a couple days in writing this blog will continue as soon as I get back: thank you!

            The Corinthian church had been gathering gifts, money, and whatever was needed for the churches some one year previously and Paul is now commending them for their charity.  It is by the grace of God, that must be owned as the root and foundation of any good in us, or done by us, at any time, and by this great grace we receive favor from God, and this due to the fact that God has made us useful to others.  The Macedonian churches were in distress, yet they contributed to the relief of others.  How often does that not happen with you or within your church?  We can find out about this affliction occurring in the book of Acts 16:17.  At affliction had reduced the Macedonians in poverty in many cases and yet they had some abundance and even had an abundance of joy in the midst of the tribulation and therefore they abounded in their liberality and gave out ugly little trusting God to provide for them.  I personally have found that God provides I do hope that is true also with you, that you are trusting God to provide for you in every situation.  You may not be what you would like to have, that is, more, that God will give you what you need.  Even out of a little the Macedonians made a large contribution.  It must be remembered that Christians care for their brothers and sisters and this is a command of God as found in John's writings.  This charity was founded in true piety.  They solemnly and unanimously maybe fresh surrender of themselves, and all they had, unto the Lord Jesus Christ.  This was a sanctifying of their contributions to do God honor, by first giving themselves to the Lord.  Think upon this carefully; when we give ourselves to God, to be used by God, we must give to him our whole, for we are called to be disposed of according to His will.  Whatever we decide to give to God for his use, it must be understood that we are only giving back to Him what is His own.  We expect God to accept our charity He will not necessarily turn this to our advantage unless we first give ourselves to the Lord.  Titus was used to handle these gifts of charity and he was a proper person to be employed for this service.  It is a wise thing to use proper people in this work, so that what we desire will use well.  Our charitable gifts must be ascribed to the grace of God and by this we do give glory to God to whom it is due.  Furthermore, it also shows men wear their strength is, and enables them to be humble believers and see that the Lord has special love to them, and this is found in the fruits of their love to Him and to His people.  Our spiritual joy enlarges man's heart abundantly in the work in labor of love and by this they do more than they could have done otherwise.  This is so different from the conduct of those who will not concur in the good work unless urged to it: and this is found in the emotional pleas by many church leaders and pastors to somehow cause people to give and they give not due to the award due to the emotional plea and this is very wrong.  We must surrender ourselves to the Lord so that we may live to his glory for we are partakers of His salvation, so therefore, living for the Lord places in a happy frame of mind.  As the apostle wrote to stir up the Corinthian to do this good work up here he, I also am attempting to stir you up to do this good work of charity.  To do this faith is mentioned first, for this is root, and without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11: 6), so if you abound in faith, you will abound in other graces and good works also in all this work will show itself by love.  Many have faith, there are those who want to be placed upon a pedestal.  Our love to be abundant and be expressed to those ministers who are leading us and this to will give you at the grace to abound in charity to the poor.  This is a great work that God has given us and by this work we are to care for one another and this also been good and should extend to the world.

He who gives to the poor will not lack,

            but he who hides his eyes

Will have many curses.

                        Proverbs 28: 27

Today, give indiscriminate charity

Richard L. Crumb

The Riches Of God: Eternal Life

I speak not by commandment,

but I am testing the sincerity

of your faith by the diligence of others.

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,

that though He was rich, yet for your sakes

He became poor, that you through His

poverty might become rich.

2 Corinthians: 8: 9

            Paul was ensuring that what he had taught had taken hold of the Corinthians and this he did by a test of their sincerity and of their faith; and he did this by the diligence of others.  What does this mean?  Once again we take a look at what the Greek word meant when a Greek person heard the words spoken.Often when we translate into English we have a problem for languages change even in the slightest degree over the years. We must fully understand what that Greek person heard and what the Holy Spirit had Paul write.  The Greek word, σπουδής, is in the genitive, therefore we use the English word "of" showing that this word that we translate diligence means to be of earnestness, to be earnest, to apply earnestness, therefore to be diligent.  And then Paul states that they are not without the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ and of His grace and by His grace God became man incarnate in the flesh whereby He had left what He had before as simply the Wisdom of God and can be counted as rich took on this human flesh and became poor.  Why?  That through His poverty you might become rich!  That riches does not mean material wealth: it means eternal life, to be saved from your sins so that eternal life can be eternally yours in this by the grace of God and not by your own works: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.  Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word reconciliation" (2 Corinthians 8: 17 -- 19).  Are you getting the point?  God has reconciled you to Himself through Jesus Christ and it does not stop right there: no, we have been given the ministry of reconciliation: "Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.  For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Corinthians 8: 20 -- 21).  Far too often, experience holds a higher priority in our Christianity than the fact that we are ambassadors of Christ who have been reconciled by Jesus Christ and not by any experience or by anything we've done in this life.  And if we are tested, and should be, we are to be found diligent, earnestly exercising what God has commanded us to do and that is to spread the gospel and that gospel is the gospel of reconciliation.  Unfortunately, Christianity has fallen prey to the ideology and Christianity of liberal Christians for at one point in time here in the United States the Gallup poll and the Pew poll showed that more than 80% of the population affirmative belief in God.  A recent poll by Harris Interactive Poll showed a significant drop over the four years past from 82% down to 74%.  Even though there are many in the Christian churches exercising some experiential Christianity and speaking of the love of God in a "sloppy agape" manner, feeding pablum for the congregation rather than speaking about what God demands of us and that is to be His ambassador, His witness. What is found from these polls that there has been an increase in personal and independent view of spiritual ideology and this is especially among young adults.  This shows that the current culture that preaches that one must be autonomous has crept into the church. found is that their earnestness is not in harmony with Scripture.  How has this cultural ideology influence many Christians?  One such thing is there has been an increase of over 10%, from 42% to 47% and a belief in the Darwinian system of natural selection.  Yes, there seems to be a sense whereby people believe in an omnipotent and omniscient Being, and this Being is being seen through philosophy and empty deceit, that is, according to the traditions of men, the principles of this world, and not according to Christ (Colossians 2: 8).  The Holy Spirit inspired this to be written so we have not be unaware that this would occur or could occur and has occurred.  Here is a very sad points that must be addressed: many of our churches have, in one way or another, failed to connect the foundational of 40 and power of the Creator with the bi-curious acts of Jesus Christ our Savior.  Yes the atonement is talked in many churches, and the resurrection is celebrated, this by holding communion, but, and this is a very important but -- -- -- the miracles of Jesus Christ demonstrating the miraculous ability as creator and God and how that affects salvation is so often in So elated in a mysterious way in the love of God.  How is this done it is glossed over as a dogmatic necessity but rarely praised and honor as the reason that salvation ever occurred.  Brothers and sisters, God does not take this critical point lightly.  Remember this: at the end of the age when Jesus Christ returns on the last day, and not before, God will judge every one.  I do not say this to raise fear in you, rather to excites you, to encourage you, to live diligently and earnestly as God has commanded and that is we must declare who Jesus is as well as what He did upon the cross.  Make this your goal for this is the goal set before us, that in everything we do or say we do it for the glory of God and not for our own entertainment, for our own religiosity, no, for God who is our Savior and your Savior keeps you in His hands for eternity. Yes, as I have said before, to be a Christian takes courage and resolve.

I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,

            and find out knowledge and discretion.

The fear of the LORD is to hate evil;

            pride and arrogance and the evil way

and the perverse mouth I hate.

            I love those who love me,

and those who seek me diligently will find me.

            Riches and honor are with me.

enduring riches and righteousness.

                                    Proverbs 8:12 -- 13; 17 -- 18

You are the possession of God

Richard L. Crumb