Drawing Near To God

And the beheld His glory, the glory as of the 

Only Begotten of the Father,) 

full of grace and truth.

John 1:14

  God is not a being! God is different from all things that exist! Men often anthropomorphize God and see Him with a body, or a place in which He dwells. Yes God does dwell, but not in space! God is without physical definition and He resides everywhere and not in time. We speak of the throne of God, or even heaven where God resides but this is only man attempting to have some words that describe the indescribable. Yes God has prepared a place for us to live eternally, but this is a heaven made for faithful children of God. We are not Pantheist, we do not believe that God indwells such as a tree or any object, yet God is everywhere so that He sees and hears all things, controls all things, God is everywhere. Therefore we do nothing in secret before God. Since this is true; what sort of people ought we be?

“Since then all things are seen and heard [by God], let us fear Him, and forsake those wicked works which proceed from evil desires; (Literally, “abominable lusts of evil deeds.”) so that, through His mercy, we may be protected from the judgments to come. For whither can any of us flee from His mighty hand? Or what world will receive any of those who run away from Him? For the Scripture saith in a certain place, “Whither shall I go, and where shall I be hid from Thy presence? If I ascend into heaven, Thou art there; if I go away even to the uttermost parts of the earth, there is Thy right hand; if I make my bed in the abyss, there is Thy Spirit.” (Ps. cxxxix. 7–10) Whither, then, shall any one go, or where shall he escape from Him who comprehends all things?

Let us then draw near to Him with holiness of spirit, lifting up pure and undefiled hands unto Him, loving our gracious and merciful Father, who has made us partakers in the blessings of His elect. (Literally “has made us to Himself a part of election.”) For thus it is written, “When the Most High divided the nations, when He scattered (Literally, “sowed abroad.”) the sons of Adam, He fixed the bounds of the nations according to the number of the angels of God. His people Jacob became the portion of the Lord, and Israel the lot of His inheritance.” (Deut. xxxii. 8, 9.) And in another place [the Scripture] saith, “Behold, the Lord taketh unto Himself a nation out of the midst of the nations, as a man takes the first-fruits of his threshing-floor; and from that nation shall come forth the Most Holy.”   (Formed apparently from Num. xviii. 27 and 2 Chron. xxxi. 14.) Literally, the closing words are, “the holy of holies.”

Seeing, therefore, that we are the portion of the Holy One, let us do all those things which pertain to holiness, avoiding all evil-speaking, all abominable and impure embraces, together with all drunkenness, seeking after change, (Some translate, “youthful lusts.”) all abominable lusts, detestable adultery, and execrable pride. “For God,” saith [the Scripture], “resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.” (Prov. iii. 34; Jas. iv. 6; 1 Pet. v. 5.) Let us cleave, then, to those to whom grace has been given by God. Let us clothe ourselves with concord and humility, ever exercising self-control, standing far off from all whispering and evil-speaking, being justified by our works, and not our words. For [the Scripture] saith, “He that speaketh much, shall also hear much in answer. And does he that is ready in speech deem himself righteous? Blessed is he that is born of woman, who liveth but a short time: be not given to much speaking.” (Job xi. 2, 3.) The translation is doubtful. [But see Septuagint.] Let our praise be in God, and not of ourselves; for God hateth those that commend themselves. Let testimony to our good deeds be borne by others, as it was in the case of our righteous forefathers. Boldness, and arrogance, and audacity belong to those that are accursed of God; but moderation, humility, and meekness to such as are blessed by Him.” 

    These early Church fathers kept to one theme, redemption, and living towards a sanctified life. Obedience, humility, peace, and love that is infused to us that God principle love, that is our responsibility to grow into so that we become Authentic Christians, true children of God. He came to earth to accomplish this purpose to redeem so why would we not do all we can to accomplish His will for us?

He judged the cause of the poor

      and needy; then it was well with Him: 

was not this to know Me? saith the LORD.

                Jeremiah 22:16

Read our Church History: you will be blessed

Richard L. Crumb

 

Why We Can Have Joy In This Life

Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, 

till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth 

shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. 

But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no not 

the angels of heaven, but My Father only.

Matthew 24:34-36

     What generation will not pass away until all things are fulfilled? Read the context and you will see that it is the generation when Jesus comes again for in that day the heavens and the earth as we know it will pass away. We too then can have this same hope and promise that Jesus will fulfill all things that He has promised to His bride. Read once again the words of our early Church father, Clement of Rome:

"Do we then deem it any great and wonderful thing for the Maker of all things to raise up again those that have piously served Him in the assurance of a good faith, when even by a bird He shows us the mightiness of His power to fulfil His promise? (Literally, “the mightiness of His promise.”) For [the Scripture] saith in a certain place, “Thou shalt raise me up, and I shall confess unto Thee;” (Ps. xxviii. 7,) or some apocryphal book. and again, “I laid me down, and slept; I awaked, because Thou art with me;” (Comp. Ps. iii. 6.) and again, Job says, “Thou shalt raise up this flesh of mine, which has suffered all these things.” (Job xix. 25, 26.)

          Having then this hope, let our souls be bound to Him who is faithful in His promises, and just in His judgments. He who has commanded us not to lie, shall much more Himself not lie; for nothing is impossible with God, except to lie. (Comp. Tit. i. 2; Heb. vi. 18.) Let His faith therefore be stirred up again within us, and let us consider that all things are nigh unto Him. By the word of His might  (Or, “majesty.”) He established all things, and by His word He can overthrow them. “Who shall say unto Him, What hast thou done? or, Who shall resist the power of His strength?” (Wisdom xii. 12, Wisdom xi. 22.) When and as He pleases He will do all things, and none of the things determined by Him shall pass away (Comp. Matt. xxiv. 35.) All things are open before Him, and nothing can be hidden from His counsel. “The heavens (Literally, “If the heavens,”) etc. declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth His handy-work. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. And there are no words or speeches of which the voices are not heard.” (Ps. xix. 1–3.)"
      We have every assurance, from Scripture and all that has been completed as to God's promises, and from men and women who held fast to their faith in God. We have the words of those who were associated with the disciples of Jesus Christ and even the words of those who were disciples, who walked and talked with Jesus, were taught by Jesus. So we have every reason to be joyful, to have peace, even in a world that is so full of negative things. 

The law of the LORD is perfect,
     converting the soul: the testimony
of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
                    Psalm 19:7

Authentic Christian Faith: hold fast to it!

Richard L. Crumb

History Teaches About The Resurrection

Cast not away therefore your confidence, 

which hath great recompence of reward.

 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye

 have done the will of God, ye might receive 

the promise. For yet  a little while, and He 

that shall come will come and will not tarry.

Hebrews 10:35-37

      History about what those early Church fathers taught where a recounting of the Gospel received by them from the disciples of Jesus Christ: therefore, we must read them and learn from them if we are to live according to the will of God. Yes, it has been more than 2,000 years since Jesus was on the face of this earth and it seems that our patience is wearing away: is that the case for you? 

     Do you really believe that Jesus will come again? Do you really believe in the resurrection, or only hope that He will come and that you will live again? The Bible gives us something by which we can lean on: In Galatians 4:4 we learn that the coming of Jesus Christ was in the fullness of time. God will act because God always keeps His promises. In the fullness of time Jesus will come again only this time it will be His last coming for then all those who have faith in Him will live, both the dead and the alive. 

     The Church of God, that is, those who are called, the ekklesia, the called out ones are the ones who make up the Church, not some denomination, nor some practice, or liturgy, but those who have repented and live in obedience to Jesus Christ. It is through Jesus Christ Who is the Rock upon which the Church is built, and through Jesus Christ, or faith in Him, in God for salvation from sin comes the heart, this love agape love of God and for man which makes our personality to be sacred because our God, the creator is th creator of both the spiritual and the physical being and because Jesus is the basis for our hope concerning the future. Clement of Rome writes:

      "The all-merciful and beneficent Father has bowels [of compassion] towards those that fear Him, and kindly and lovingly bestows His favours upon those who come to Him with a simple mind. Wherefore let us not be double-minded; neither let our soul be lifted (Or, as some render, “neither let us have any doubt of.”) up on account of His exceedingly great and glorious gifts. Far from us be that which is written, “Wretched are they who are of a double mind, and of a doubting heart; who say, These things we have heard even in the times of our fathers; but, behold, we have grown old, and none of them has happened unto us.” (Some regard these words as taken from an apocryphal book, others as derived from a fusion of Jas. i. 8 and 2 Pet. iii. 3, 4.) Ye foolish ones! compare yourselves to a tree: take [for instance] the vine. First of all, it sheds its leaves, then it buds, next it puts forth leaves, and then it flowers; after that comes the sour grape, and then follows the ripened fruit. Ye perceive how in a little time the fruit of a tree comes to maturity. Of a truth, soon and suddenly shall His will be accomplished, as the Scripture also bears witness, saying, “Speedily will He come, and will not tarry;”  (Hab. ii. 3; Heb. x. 37.) and, “The Lord shall suddenly come to His temple, even the Holy One, for whom ye look.” (Mal. iii. 1.)

Chapter XXIV.—God continually shows us in nature that there will be a resurrection.

     Let us consider, beloved, how the Lord continually proves to us that there shall be a future resurrection, of which He has rendered the Lord Jesus Christ the first-fruits (Comp. 1 Cor. xv. 20; Col. i. 18.) by raising Him from the dead. Let us contemplate, beloved, the resurrection which is at all times taking place. Day and night declare to us a resurrection. The night sinks to sleep, and the day arises; the day [again] departs, and the night comes on. Let us behold the fruits [of the earth], how the sowing of grain takes place. The sower (Comp. Luke viii. 5.) goes forth, and casts it into the ground; and the seed being thus scattered, though dry and naked when it fell upon the earth, is gradually dissolved. Then out of its dissolution the mighty power of the providence of the Lord raises it up again, and from one seed many arise and bring forth fruit." 

     Life may seem to have an ending where there seems to be no way for life. I walk this area that in the summer is so full of grasses of all kinds, but in the winter the land is empty, barren, soil only shows, all seems to have disappeared: then comes the rain, the sun, the spring and in that dead appearing soil lies the seed of life and once again this land is full of grasses. If God can do this for grass can He not do this for His greatest of all creation: man? Yes! In our case we are not grass and we have a soul that upon our death goes to be with God, and that dead body, decaying into dust seems to be dead again but God will rise it up making it alive again for in you is the seed of life, and God will awaken that life once again only this time it is for eternity. Only the repentance will have this renewal of life and eternity, all others, well....the Lake of Fire is awaiting them and they will not live again for eternity. 

     Jesus is coming, now in some time in the future, it doesn't really matter for He is coming as promised as God He will keep His promises, He is not an angel that might not do what is to be done, God will not allow this to happen, but God Himself as the Son of God our Redeemer will save His children. Are you one of His Authentic Christian children? I pray you are!

If a man die, shall he live again?

     All the days of my appointed time

will I wait, till my change come.

                    Job 14:14

God is faithful: are you?

Richard L. Crumb