How To Live Living Faith

For what thanks can we render to God for you,

for all the joy with which we rejoice for your

sake before our God, night and day praying

exceedingly that we may see your face and

perfect what is lacking in your faith.

1Thessalonians 3:9–10

            Paul had great desire to go to Rome and speak with the Christians there and to impart to them that would increase their faith. This was true of all the Churches Paul wrote that he had this desire to render to them what God had given to him, and then by doing so to perfect their faith. This is what this blog is about; to give aid so that our faith will increase and our joy in the Lord will increase, and that our lives would be the witness for Jesus Christ as it ought to be. Paul writing to the Romans wrote: ”First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, making request if, by some means, now at list I may find a way in the will of God to come to you” (Romans 1:8–10). Oh! How I am reminded by these words of Paul, and I hope and pray for you, that it is our faith that is spoken about, to our family, our neighbors, to those with whom we work, and to all we come into contact, and even those we do not know about. What is this faith? Is it some sort of miracles being performed? Is it some revelation from God given especially to you? Is it running around piously? NO! In all cases! No! It is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. What is this Gospel? It is that Jesus Christ came bodily into our world, a perfect Man; not affected by inherited sin, that original sin that affects all men as the progeny of Adam. Jesus Christ is the Only Begotten Son of God, not of Adam. Jesus demonstrated His divinity by the many miracles, and by the words He spoke. Then, by no fault of His own condemned and put to death on the cross, that which by Roman law and standards was the punishment for most vile of criminals. Jesus Died, as a man, and lived by resurrecting Himself as He said He would, “Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19). This He did and then seen by some 500 people, “After than He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also as by one out of due time”(1Corinthians 15:6–8). Paul desired that it be the will of God that he comes to Rome to see them: “making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you” (Romans 1:10). I mention this due to the fact, we so often run ahead of the will of God. We are not patient. We think: “if only I could be used by God.” You are, that is, if you are doing the will of God, and living according to His commands and used by God. Start where you are presently for if you are not in doing the will of God in the present, how then can you be of use in the future. Are you studying, reading His word, praying; or, spending too much time in other affairs? If you are not doing it now, then there is not precedent that you will do it in the future.

            Paul states: “For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established” that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith of both you and me” (Romans 1:11–12). Some say that this is a special gift and attempt to use this Scripture for their outlandish demonstration as if this is what Paul intended. Did He? The Greek word: “πνευματικόν” is nominative, neuter, singular, and as Thayer points out: “one who is filled with and governed by the Spirit of God: (Among other definitions; i.e., relating to the human spirit, or rational soul, as part of the man which is akin to God and serves as his instrument or organ; 1a) that which possesses the nature of the rational soul; 2) belonging to a spirit, or a being higher than man but inferior to God; 3) belonging to the Divine Spirit; 3a) of God the Holy Spirit; 4) pertaining to the wind or breath; windy, exposed to the wind, blowing: Part of Speech: adjective).” The word used in English for this word is “Spiritual gift,” and can be rendered, “thing” spiritual thing.”  This can be misconstrued if one does not examine the Greek word and how a Greek person would understand this word. What is this “Spiritual gift?” Paul outlines the gift fo the Spirit in Galatians 5:22. This is the gift we need to live as disciples of Jesus Christ, and His ambassadors, the ones to spread the Gospel into all nations. Is it fruit that Paul wants to give to the Romans? Yes! “Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles” (Romans 1:13). The fruit that Paul speaks of is an increase in the Church by those who have the faith to respond to the Gospel (not some revelation, or miracle), the GOSPEL! And by this Gospel, the fruit of the Spirit is imparted to the children of God, and when the Holy Spirit is allowed to teach, and lead us then, and then only, will we by faithful.

            I pray that this will be true of you. That nothing in this world will separate you from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and that the Holy Spirit will have His way with you (and me).

I thank You and praise You,

            O God of my Fathers;

You have given me wisdom

            And might, and have

Now made known to me what

            We asked of You, for

You have made known to us

            The king’s demand.

                                    Daniel 2:23

Pour out what God has poured in

Richard L. Crumb

Becoming the Righteousness of God

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.

2Corinthians 5:20–21

            Knowing who you are is the first step in becoming what you are to be. Paul writing to the Church at Corinth makes this one thing very clear: we are ambassadors for Christ. As Ambassadors for Christ we are to be reconciled to God. Why? So that by the sinless Jesus Christ we “might become the righteousness of God” and then this; “in Him.” What does ‘reconcile’ mean? The first meaning of this word is: to cause a person to accept or be resigned to something not desired.[1] Is this not true? We do not desire the things of God in our carnality. We do not have the power to do so for our soul is corrupt through the inheritance of sin, corruption from our first father, Adam. We attempt in many says to be autonomous; even after accepting and believing on the Lord Jesus Christ. This is a battle that we fight, and will fight until the day we meet in heaven our Savior. Reconcile can also mean: to cause to become friendly or peaceable again.[2] When we are at odds with others, especially those of the family of God we are instructed in Matthew 18: 15–18, how we are to become reconciled once again with those we are at odds with. Reconcile: to compose or settle a quarrel, a dispute.[3] Again, the reference for our instruction in this matter found in Matthew 18:15­–18. Reconcile: to bring into agreement or harmony; make compatible or consistent.[4] Is this not what an ambassador attempts to do and if he/she is successful then once again there is agreement or harmony and is this not to be found in the Church of God? Reconcile: to restore to communion in a church.[5] There in this last statement is what we must do; reconcile, restore to communion those in our churches. As Christians, we have this responsibility as ambassadors of Christ to become the image of Jesus Christ and to become the righteousness “of Him.” Paul writes: “Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name” (Romans 1:5). STOP! Think on this! We have received grace: this is unwarranted Grace, not because we have done anything to deserve this Grace, NO! we receive grace as a child of God, elect, called, enabled, and this reception of Grace is also a reception for apostleship, (Ambassadors), and this for “Obedience.” We are not to be autonomous, we are not our own, we belong to God, our citizenship resides with God, and we are apostles, ambassadors, therefore we are to be obedient to the faith. Not some outlandish displays of piety, as found by some claiming that they are doing the work of God, NO! It is by being obedient to the word of God as found in His commands. We are not, and is not to be found in Scripture much of what is being said and done; i.e., seeking the supernatural, calling down heaven, speaking in some ‘gibberish’ tongue, or running around trying to find someone to heal, or being ‘slain in the spirit,’ none of this things are commanded God’s children in His word. We are God’s ambassadors. Those types of actions are not obedience to the faith in Jesus Christ who has redeemed you and given you new life, and grace. As one of His apostles, that is, the one sent out with a message in regards to the Gospel, we must not forget this one thing: “among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ” (Romans 1:6). God called you! You did not come to believe by your desire to be saved on your own strength. NO! You are called by God, given the faith to believe, this when you heard the Gospel you believed and became a child of God, an ambassador, an apostle, and we are to be obedient as to what we are called to be; and this in all the nations. Paul then “shuts the door:” “To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints” (Romans 1:7). There it is again, “called.” Called to be “saints.” What does this mean to be a “saint?” The Greek word, άγιος, means to be separate from common condition and use, dedicated, hallowed, used of things, and for persons, to be a saint, pure, righteous, holy. Does this describe your life, the way you live and think? It should if you are admitting that you are one who has been called by God, an ambassador, an apostle carrying the good news, the Gospel wherever you go. Paul ends his opening statements to the Roman Church and this applies to us for this is God’s revealed word to His children, then and now, and will continue until Jesus Christ returns for His church: “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 1:7b).

The LORD bless you and keep you;

            The LORD make His face

To shine upon you, and be gracious

            To you; the LORD lift up His

Countenance upon you, and give

            You peace.

                                    Numbers 6:24–26

Be the image today of Who called you

Richard L. Crumb

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[1] Webster’s College Dictionary, Random House, NY, 200174

[2] ibid

[3] ibid

[4] ibid

[5] ibid

God Demonstrates His Love For You And Me

But God demonstrates His own love

toward us, in that while we were still

sinners, Christ died for us. Much

more then, having now been justified

by His blood, we shall be saved from

wrath through Him. For if when we

were enemies we were reconciled to God

through the death of His Son, much more,

having been reconciled, we shall

be saved by His life.

Romans 5:8–10

            In many of the Churches today, and in the beliefs of many Christians, Jesus Christ is being presented as more of a buddy, a friend, One who blesses all who call on Him. The old hymn: “What a Friend We Have In Jesus” is sung, and it is true: Jesus Christ is our Friend, Jesus Christ blesses those who call on Him according to His will, but, but, but, Jesus Christ is not our buddy. If you or I are living contrary to the commands of God, how then can Jesus bless us? He won’t, in fact you or I will be chastised. Jesus is a Friend to those who convert to Him and this is demonstrated in the pragmatics of our lives, not in some emotional display, or by doing work for Him that is not having been called by Him for anyone to do. When we do not have a clear understanding of God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit we fall into the trap making Jesus, God, the Holy Spirit to be what they are not. We do things that are out of harmony with God’s revealed word. We must not forget this most important doctrine: “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still

sinners, Christ died for us.” Jesus Christ is our Savior: PERIOD! We are saved by His life (vs. 10)and this is by being reconciled to Him through His death. Jesus Christ died for you, and me, all of those elected by God for salvation. Live according to His word, His commands, and you will be blessed. Paul in Romans is addressing many misconceptions of Jesus Christ, the Church, salvation, and by his writings we come to understand the doctrines as revealed through the Holy Spirit, the ones correct, and the ones incorrect. Study this book and you will grow in faith, and in knowledge of the One True Savior, and you will become an ambassador teaching, preaching, and living, according to truth.

Romans 1:1–4: “Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of Holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.”

            Paul begins his letter and describes himself first as a “δοϋλος,” a slave, but more than just a slave, a bondservant, one who is permanently related to servitude of another and whose will is completely subject to the will of another. Paul ensures us that he was called (Acts 9: 10–12), to be an apostle, “άπόστολος.” An ambassador, a messenger, one who has been sent forth, and the one sending Paul was the One who called him, Jesus Christ. It is true that Paul is considered as an Apostle, notice the capital “A”. This is not wrong, he was called by God, but do not think he was the only apostle: he is not, you are, for you are an ambassador as well (2Corinthians 5:20), that is, you are also, if you choose to be, a bondservant, one who has willingly submitted yourself to God, as Paul, separated to the gospel of God. The Gospel is simple this: Jesus Christ is the Messiah who lived, suffered, died, was buried, rose again to life, and ascended to God to be an eternal intercessor for God’s children. What can be added to that? Nothing, but we do, don’t we? People don’t need some supernatural demonstration, they need the gospel, and this gospel was promised by God through men of old, those prophets who themselves were apostles for God, and wrote this promise in the Old Testament, the Holy Scriptures. The Gospel is: “His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of Holiness, by the resurrection from the dead” (vs. 4). Jesus demonstrated the love of God, that God had through Him kept this promise of old by many miracles, and power, and that He is divine, God, in the flesh, and this; “according to the Spirit of Holiness.” Notice this fact: God, Jesus and the Spirit of Holiness all mentioned by Paul in his opening statement to the Roman Church, and to us.

            What a way to open a letter. To immediately set forth his premise for the rest of the letter, that God through Jesus Christ demonstrated His love by sending to earth, to receive a carnal body, to join together the divine, God, with earthly flesh, this hypostatic union, and that this Son of God was resurrected from the dead. Our hope, our faith, all rests on this fact that Jesus Christ died and rose again: not by some magical and mythical resurrection through others, in as some teach that Jesus is not God and therefore could not resurrect Himself, that it took God. Yes, it took God and this is extremely, without prejudice agreed upon for Jesus Himself told us: “Jesus answered and aid to them, ‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19). Who did Jesus say would resurrect Him: He, Himself, because Jesus by power, and His divinity would raise Himself up. Death could not hold Him. Death could not destroy Him. Death was required to pay our debt of sin. This Jesus did and demonstrate and we have the written word that this occurred and our faith should be strengthened. This Paul sets forth for the Roman Church and for us. Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and by His death, and resurrection, we have life. Read the closing verse carefully, for Jesus makes it clear that while He was bodily on earth, He was in heaven. How? Jesus is God, the Second Person of the Trinity.

No one has ascended to heaven

            But He who came down

From heaven, that is, the Son of Man

            Who is in heaven.

                                    John 3:13

No condemnation to those who believe

Richard L. Crumb