Mind Your Faith Magazine, Issue 4 April 2017

MINDY O U RApril 2017FAITHMagazineIssue 4The Great Redeemer God’s Remedy for Sin (Doy Moyer) The Great Redeemer (Luke Moyer) God Provides the Answer (Luke Moyer) The Paradox of Grace (Forrest Moyer) Grace and Pride (chart by Doy Moyer)

Editors Editor’s Notes Doy Moyer We have expressed in the three previous issues the Glorious nature of God, the Luke Moyer lowly stature of Man, and the horrible problem of Sin. These three topics provide the foundation for a Savior. Many today will confess Jesus as the Savior, but forget Contributors the infinite holiness of God and the depravity of our sinful state. When we fail to express or live by His Holy standards, then we downplay His role as Savior. When Forrest Moyer we understand the depths of our state and the heights of God’s love, then we will better know His grace. In this issue we wish to describe God’s remedy for our sin. This is something that God has had in mind from the beginning. We choose to use the term ‘re- demption’ to describe this process. Redemption buys back something that has been lost or sold. In this context, our souls have been lost. We have sold our souls into death by casting out God’s presence. The price for our souls is death. This is also described as a penalty for our actions. The redeemer pays the price so that our souls can be set free from death. Without a redeemer, our souls are destined for eternal destruction. This is why we focus on Jesus so much. He is the Great Redeemer. He has not purchased us with material wealth, but with the invaluable cost of His blood. His death assuages God’s demand for justice, buys back our life from the pit, and brings us into the perfect home and family. Acknowledging the Great Redeemer is not just an intellectual study. This should filter into our thoughts and actions each day. We live our whole lives being indebt- ed to Jesus. When we choose to live for ourselves we disgrace the price He paid for our souls. On His side, instead of demanding slavery and death, He freely grants freedom and life. He chooses to redeem us on account of His love, not obligation. He desires to free us, and has willingly paid the price in full. How we respond to His grace determines its value in our eyes and its effect on our souls.2

Contents 4 8 April 2017 11 14 God’s Remedy for Sin (Doy Moyer) 17 The Great Redeemer (Luke Moyer) God Provides the Answer (Luke Moyer) The Paradox of Grace (Forrest Moyer) Grace and Pride (chart by Doy Moyer) 3

God’s Remedy for Sin Sin transgresses the God meaningful. Adam and putting down God. It was the standards of God. Eve chose to do what God had deifying of self and dethron- Something is not sin forbidden (Gen. 3:1-6), and ing of God. It was the rejec- just because we de- the terrible consequences of tion of God as their Creator. It cide so; sin is sin sin have been running their was outright rebellion. because it violates the will course ever since. of God and falls short of His Unless we see that sin is glory. Sin is a transgression We need to see sin as it re- against the righteous God, we of law (1 John 3:4)—not just ally is. We might tend to think will not come to appreciate anybody’s law, but God’s law. that some sin is not all that what God has done through bad. Perhaps Adam and Eve Jesus Christ. This is key in God created mankind to do could have thought, “What’s appreciating God’s grace. Sin His will (Ecc. 12:13-14). The the big deal with eating this is ugly and putrid. It robs us original creation was “very fruit? It seems like such a lit- of fellowship with God and of good” (Gen. 1:31). There was tle thing.” The big deal was happiness in this life, as well no pain or suffering; all was that it was opposed to God. as an eternal life in heav- perfect. Yet God created man It was not just the eating of en. Pride is at the root of all with free moral choice, which the fruit, but it was the pride sin, for when man sins he is makes a loving response to of lifting up themselves and putting his own will before4

Doy MoyerGod’s. When we sin, we are Consequences Of Sin recognize that when a horri-saying that we do not need ble crime is committed, thereGod in our lives, that we think The consequences of sin ought to be consequences.we are more capable of tak- are manifest evidence of the Death alone is a great re-ing care of our lives than is terrible nature of sin. People minder of just how terrible aGod. It is the epitome of ar- wonder why they have to suf- crime sin really is against therogance and rebellion. This fer such grave repercussions, glory and nature of God.is why God is opposed to the but if we would stop to reflectproud, but gives grace to the upon the nature of sin, per- It was not God’s desirehumble. “Therefore humble haps we would begin to un- that there be eternal separa-yourselves under the mighty derstand why they are severe. tion from Him. By placing onhand of God, that He may ex- mankind the curse of death,alt you in due time” (1 Peter Several consequences re- He made way to redeem5:5-6). God hates “a proud sult from sin, but death is the mankind. Jesus, therefore,look” (Prov. 6:16-17). Pride is ultimate consequence. Many tasted death for all (Heb. 2:9).at the root of all other sin. wonder why it must be this Death, while the last enemy, way. Yet if God simply over- is also a blessing in that we looked sin, then He could do not have to be part of a not be holy and just. Even we sin-cursed world forever. If we live for Jesus now, then 5

1 Corinthians 15:50-57 our deaths will be blessed and World English Bible (WEB) precious (Psalm 116:15; Rev. 14:13). If we reject God, then Now I say this, brothers, that flesh and the full force of the curse of blood can’t inherit God’s Kingdom; nei- sin will be known in eternity. ther does the perishable inherit imper- This is why we urgently need ishable. to get the message of salva- Behold, I tell you a mystery. We will not tion to the world. all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at The consequences of sin are the last trumpet. For the trumpet will terrible indeed. We need to sound, and the dead will be raised in- constantly be aware of them corruptible, and we will be changed. so that we will remember the For this perishable body must become horrible nature of sin. This, in imperishable, and this mortal must put turn, will help keep us from on immortality. But when this perish- succumbing to temptations. able body will have become imperish- able, and this mortal will have put on God’s Remedy immortality, then what is written will happen: “Death is swallowed up in vic- Though sin brought curses tory.” into the world, God planned all along to redeem us. Sin “Death, where is your sting? leaves a horrible scar in the Hades, where is your victory?” history of mankind, but God The sting of death is sin, and the power did not leave us alone to of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, grope with the sin problem. who gives us the victory through our The Scriptures teach us that Lord Jesus Christ. Christ was the “Lamb slain from the foundation of the6 world” (Rev. 13:8). God knew what He would do. Not only did God place curses upon the man and woman after they sinned, but He also cursed the serpent, promising, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel” (Gen. 3:14-15). Placed in this curse on the serpent is the first glimmer of hope. “He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel” is the first recorded proph- ecy of the death and resur- rection of Christ. In the death

of Christ, Satan delivered a swer is Jesus Christ. His death resurrection is promised, and“heel bruise,” not a crushing demonstrates both God’s love we can be sure that our faithand finally fatal blow. In the (Rom. 5:8) and justice (Rom. is not in vain (1 Cor. 15). Oneresurrection, Christ delivered 3:26). day we will all be raised, theto Satan the crushing “head corruptible will put on incor-bruise,” which means com- ruptibility, the sting of deathplete victory over Satan and Jesus lived as a man among will be gone, and the full vic-death. men (Heb. 2:14). He suffered tory in Jesus Christ will be re- the temptations that are pe- alized (1 Cor. 15:50-57). From Genesis 3 on is the culiar to men (Heb. 2:18). Yet,history of the unfolding of He lived without sin (Heb. The resurrection assures usGod’s redemptive plan. God 4:15). He became the perfect that we will stand before Godsaved Noah, chose Abra- sacrifice, for the “Lord has in judgment (Acts 17:30-31).ham, and made a great na- laid on Him the iniquity of If we submit ourselves to Histion through which the Savior us all” (Isa. 53:6; Heb. 9:22; will, then this is nothing towould come (Gen. 12:1-3). 10:1-10). Because of what fear: “And now, little children,The Old Testament is the re- He has done, we do not have abide in Him, that when Hecorded history of God’s pre- to suffer the eternal conse- appears, we may have con-serving the nation of Israel so quences of sin (2 Cor. 5:21). fidence and not be ashamedthat He could carry out His What a great God we have, before Him at His coming” (1plan for salvation. The New who is loving, merciful, just John 2:28). We rejoice in theTestament shows the fruition and righteous! confidence of salvation weof this very plan. Jesus Christ can have because Jesus wasdied as the ultimate sacrifice The Resurrection Of raised from the dead.for the sins of the world. His Christresurrection secures for us the hope of eternal life with We cannot stop at the death “Blessed be the God and Fa-God (1 Pet. 1:3-4). This is of Christ. He was delivered ther of our Lord Jesus Christ,what Scripture is about. up to die for our offenses, who has blessed us with every but our full justification can- spiritual blessing in the heav-The Death Of Christ not take place apart from the enly places in Christ…” (Eph. resurrection (Rom. 4:25). The 1:3). The power of the gos- Why did Jesus have to die? resurrection dealt the fa- pel is on full display throughWas this the only way that tal blow to Satan and death. the spiritual blessings grant-God could have dealt with Now, we can all stand before ed through Christ. Withoutthe problem of sin? Scripture God in righteousness with the Christ, we are hopeless andanswers, “Yes!” This was not confidence of eternal life (1 helpless. With Christ, wejust some kind of thoughtless John 5:13). overcome the world. Withoutresponse. God is holy, righ- Christ, we are dead in tres-teous and just. Sin had to be Through the resurrection passes and sins. With Christ,dealt with. God could have of Jesus, God’s grace enables are made alive together withleft mankind to grope in sin us to be born again to a liv- Him.and darkness forever. Yet by ing hope, “to an inheritanceHis love and mercy, He per- incorruptible and undefiled Redemption by the blood ofsonally answered the prob- and that does not fade away, Christ is ours! Let us respondlem. How could a loving and reserved in heaven for you” in loving thankfulness andmerciful God forgive sin and (1 Pet. 1:3-4). Through the full submission to God’s will.remain holy and just? The an- resurrection, salvation is as- sured (1 Pet. 3:21). Our own MYF 7

The Great Redeemer Luke Moyer The function of a re- Titus 2:14). There is much to with that common use is that deemer is deeply learn from this messianic role it assumes self to be the re- ingrained into the and it’s significance when it deemer. Very rarely is self the scriptural mindset. was first adopted. redeemer in scripture. A re- It was a significant deemer is a third party who factor in the Jewish culture. The concept of redemp- intervenes. One had the right It is, for the most part, not tion ought to be stressed on to redeem himself, but almost shared today in our culture. a normal basis. Redemption necessarily lacked the ability The closest we might get is compensates, somehow, for to. The second problem with posting bail. It played such a a deficiency or wrong. Too the modern understanding is role in their lives that the term often our society focuses on it is normally only applied to filtered into the Christian re- the wrong elements. Some “big” things. People may lim- ligion. The word “Redeem- criminal may search to re- it the need for redemption to er” is now often limited to a deem himself of a crime or murderers or thieves or rap- name for Jesus even though we may seek redemption for ists, but not those who lie or the New Testament only uses something we feel the need hate. Redemption is neces- it of Jesus sparingly (Gal 4:5; to change. The first problem sary for everything to be made8

right, whether seen as big or God’s “angelic” personality. It act of redemption was by Hissmall. If we limit redemption makes me wonder if he viewed own grace and love. Thereto only the “big things”, then the wresting match with God’s was nothing Israel nor hiswe downplay its need in our angel as his spiritual turning decedents could do to buylives. point. He had been, up to that back their own time or deeds. time, so worried about phys- The third problem is a mis- ical gain and health, that he God expected the nation tounderstanding of what re- was not properly considering honor this example by treat-demption is. It is more than his oath to God. The angel ing each other with similarjust covering up a problem. of God knocked some sense grace and love on a materialIt buys something back. Re- into him, and caused the sun level. Redeemers were kins-demption isn’t about ignoring to rise again within him (Gen man who might buy backa problem and painting good 32:31). He feels that God land, slaves, or enact judg-deeds over it. When you re- bought back all his wasted ment upon murderers (Levdeem something it becomes time and deeds and allowed 25:25; 47-49; Num 35:19).yours again. You have full him to serve anew. The blood avenger was a re-ownership and can do with deemer in the same way thatit what you will. Redemption God also wanted the entire the angel was at the exo-of deeds must include actu- nation of Israel to understand dus. As the Egyptians killedally making amends to the that He was their redeem- the Jews in the Nile, so theirpoint that the deed is either er (Ex 6:6). Their captivity in blood avenger killed thefreshly redone or fully can- Egypt and servitude required Egyptians in the Red Sea. Theceled. Redemption is a com- redemption. They mimic their role of the redeemer was anplete do-over. Let us view forefather’s physical strug- obligation compelled by hon-how redemption was viewed gles. Like Jacob, at the ap- or and justice. The role wasby those within scripture. proach of death, bared by expected by the closest able water, God’s angel comes and kinsman. For this reason, Je- The first recognition of re- ‘struggles’ with/for them. sus chooses to become ourdemption was by Jacob (Gen Through the pass-over they kinsman (Heb 2:14-18).48:16). When he blesses Jo- are spared. God bought backseph’s sons at the end of their lives and their time and Few stories focus on theGenesis, he acknowledges gave them much more its val- theme of redemption morethat God redeemed him from ue. Moses praises God upon than that surrounding Ruth.all evil. He notes that this re- the exodus for such strength Within such a short narra-demption was connected to and power (Ex 15:13). God’s tive, the “redeemer” is found 9

ten times. This story, writ- Israel, we might also con- blessed and preserved. ten in light of David’s rul- sider that Ruth foreshadows ership, follows God’s provi- the church. The church is It doesn’t matter what our dence through a rough time found in all the kingdoms of circumstance: God can re- in David’s ancestry. Although the earth. The church is not deem us. I have often felt the main character is Ruth, exclusive to Israel. We learn in over my head. That is in- and the story has Her name from Paul that because Is- deed accurate. I cannot buy on it, the book is not about rael rejected the messiah, it back the time. I cannot buy her. She is a tool of redemp- allowed an opening for the back my deeds, my words, tion for Naomi and the house Gentiles (Rom 11:15-21). As my looks, or my ignorance. of Elimelech. Boaz is a physi- Naomi and Ruth were in the But God can. He can make cal manifestation of redemp- same physical condition, so amends so that all my evils tion for Elimelech’s land and are Jews and Gentiles in the are turned back. While con- family, but he is ultimately a face of their sin. Gentiles can sequence is always part of mirror for God’s role as re- learn from Israel and come to this world, it does not have deemer. Naomi represents God like Ruth learned Yahweh to be part of the next. I must God’s people, who, for a time from Naomi. Ultimately nei- continue to live here with my fell outside His favor. The Is- ther Jew nor gentile is saved consequences, but can be- raelite nation left their land apart from Jesus. Just as Boaz have from now on as one re- and God to serve the nations showed unmerited grace to deemed by the blood of the around them. They creat- Ruth and Naomi, so Christ lamb. This gives confidence ed such a spiritual drought has behaved to us. and abundant joy. I am inca- in their own land that they pable for repairing my past, searched the nations for The most remarkable dif- but God is more than able: He comfort. The reality is that ference is that Jesus was not wants to help me make true they find only death outside our relative while in heaven. redemption. God’s care. When Naomi re- We had no close relative who turned, God set to work to could possibly redeem us. Our redeemer is great. We redeem her lost family. There was no obligation on must remember that we need anyone’s part to buy us back redeeming. This is some- Naomi’s redemption was from our own slavery and thing that we cannot possibly found in the person of Ruth debt. Jesus chose to call us do for ourselves. We live in through her relative Boaz. brethren (Heb 2). By coming a severe moral drought that Boaz was gracious and mer- to earth as a Jew He fulfilled we have caused by rejecting ciful beyond expectation or Boaz’s relationship to Naomi. God. In our natural state we requirement. Without obli- He then extends grace to the have no hope, nor kinsman gation he sacrificed his own church by marrying her (Mark redeemer. But Christ be- profits to help Ruth. Ruth 2:20; Eph 5:32; Rev 19:7). came for a little while lower becomes the instrument by Through His marriage to the than the angels to give aid which Naomi’s sons are re- church, Christ redeemed to the sons of Abraham. He deemed. The community ac- both Jew and gentile. The old redeems us by marriage. We tually compares Ruth to bet- covenant was also fulfilled must accept His lordship and ter than seven sons. The Lord and brought to full meaning properly express our grat- brings back abundant bless- through Christ. The old law itude through full service. ing to her house. The Lord was bereft of fruit from those We have been bought with a also would restore Israel upon who could actually keep the price: the blood of our adopt- their desire to return to Him. law. Through the church, like ed redeemer. How we should through Ruth and Naomi, the love our great redeemer, who Now as Naomi represents old law could be properly is doing so much for us! MYF10

God Provides The AnswerWHAT ARE THE STAKES? God. We face a place where God pulls out and leaves, a place were only sin and horror Without God’s plan of redemption we and selfishness exist. In that place the onlyare lost. What does that mean? How seri- work is pain and the reward is only death.ous is it? Consider the most horrific and God’s presence is at stake. If we reject Hisrepugnant scenes in all history: the evil, the holiness and goodness while we are onwar, the death, the hurt, the crying. This earth, we will get what we ask for in eterni-is all due to sin. Sickness, terrors, trage- ty. We need God.dy, and death were all introduced when sinentered the world. Yet God has still been And so, the reward is quite evident: be-active here. He still sends rain, gives food, ing in His presence to the fullest. Since welets the sun rise, and gives us chances at laugh, experience bonds of love, and sharehappiness and laughter. Even in this world true joy here on earth – how much more willof sin, there is still good. What is at stake we be blessed to be in God’s very presence.is eternity without good: eternity without God is love; God is light; God is joy. There is nothing more to be desired than Him. 11

With Him there is no pain or sorrow. We will for our sin. The offering is then punished be with Him forever. We will feel purity and with our punishment, while we are forgiven. experience how things should have been all This is not called fair, this is called mer- along. Salvation is a place with no anger, no cy. It’s not fair that anything else suffer for fighting, no heartbreak, and no death. Sal- our wrong. And yet, without it, all would vation is life forever. All of this is promised be lost. Therefore, God set up a system by us through the grace of God. which animals could receive death in our place. This system has been recognized GOD PROVIDES THE PLAN worldwide in history. God did not have to provide any way The simplicity is this: death for death. for us to be saved. He could have started Our very spirits have died when we turn all over with a new people. Since we have away from God who is life and light. The no right or claim to goodness, mercy, or only way for our spirits to live again is if relief, then whatever solution we have been another death takes its place. Yet the life given is grace. The hardest and most gru- of animals cannot compare with the life of eling tasks should be met with gladness if man made in God’s image. So all animal it saves us. Once we become convicted of sacrifice, while acceptable in certain con- God’s goodness and holiness, nothing is ditions, was insufficient to truly resolve the too much to ask from us. Yet part of God’s problem. A more perfect sacrifice is neces- plan is it’s simplicity. We would expect that sary before full salvation is complete. God from an infinitely complex being, a path to creates the animal sacrifice system for the Him would be unimaginably difficult. Yet ancients to teach them about the gravity of the plan which He devised is so straightfor- sin and to look ahead to the more perfect ward, it seems foolish. His plan is misun- solution. Animal sacrifice was a pattern that derstood, but not on account of it’s bril- He intended to fulfill. Once sacrifice was liance. When we look at the plan we must truly fulfilled, animal sacrifice just doesn’t have faith that its simplicity is enough. God compare or offer anything for us. did not want His plan to be claimed as hu- man wisdom. We must believe in His power -IN SPITE OF RESISTANCE to save, not our ability to follow complexity. Just as there is a God who loves us, -THROUGH SACRIFICE there is an enemy who hates us. This enemy does not want to adhere to God’s holiness. God must deal with sin because of His This adversary, called Satan, fights against holiness. Sin requires life for life. But His God’s plans at every step. There has always love wants to forgive us. Love is willing to been much resistance to God’s plans. Be- give up life. And so, God decided to cre- ginning with the adversary who swept away ate a system whereby both could be ac- the first man and woman, and on through complished. This is called sacrifice. God history, God’s plans have seen resistance. has allowed sacrifice to be the key point of The satan uses many tactics to oppose God. forgiveness in every age of mankind. The One is trickery. He makes things seem as way it works is that the sacrifice is a pure they are not. In this way Satan caused the or innocent offering, and takes the blame fall of mankind from the beginning. He also works to upset sacrifice by warping our at-12

titudes. He either makes sacrifice abhorrent Abram, God builds a nation to prepare forto us, or he causes us to defile our sacri- the savior. This nation is called Israel. Theirfice by rejecting God’s plan for daily living. decedents are called Jews. Israel is tracedWhen we live without Him in mind, then our through the Old Testament as they standsacrifices are worthless. God is not pleased as a potential model of sacrifice and holywith sacrifice when our lives are filled with living. The Law that God gave to them wasblatant sin. geared towards making them pure. In actu- ality, Israel hardly lived up to this standard. When God began rolling out His plan Valiant efforts were made by respectablefor an ultimate and perfect sacrifice, the sa- and righteous men, but Law is not the solu-tan met it with fierce opposition. Satan has tion to Sin. The people knew that the solu-been condemned from the beginning. He tion to sin was found in Abraham’s son, andlost at the start. So now Satan has nothing more specifically through David’s son. Godto do but take as many with him as he can. spoke of this son as a king. So they createdThrough the ages, he shows nothing but an expectation of a Jewish kingdom. Theyhatred toward us. He distracts us from what began to expect an earthly kingdom whichis important through things we see, feel, would be unopposed by God’s adversaries.and want. Yet in spite of this resistance,God makes His plan work. Sometimes God When Jesus arrived on the scene, Hiseven uses His enemies to unintentionally version of God’s son was so radically differ-carry it out. God’s mission is to save us who ent from popular opinion, that His teach-love Him, and He will not be stopped. ings about the king, the kingdom, and salvation were not taken seriously. All the-THROUGH A SON gospels state clearly at the start that Jesus is the Son of God. The religious leaders of God knew what He was getting into the day did not like the idea of Jesus’ King-when He made us. There are no surprises dom. It was founded on a spiritual realmwhen each of us choose to deny His glory where the heart dictates citizenry. They hadfor what we want. This is the inevitable part forgotten that the Son of David was thereof love. We, who are not God, have been to provide the solution to sin of the wholegiven the chance to accept or deny Him. world, not solve political issues.And so, when the first two humans tragical-ly threw God’s order aside, God already had As the Son of God, Jesus retains God’sa plan to save us. The adversary we face is purity, character, and authority to forgivehard at work, but was labeled early on. God sins. The Jews were willing to accept Jesus’told our adversary at the beginning of time miracles, His food, his political entertain-that God would win the struggle for our ment, but when it came to actually chang-souls through a son. ing self, mankind was unwilling to give Him the authority as Creator. Instead, they cru- The story of the Bible then takes shape cified Him. This was the sacrifice to fulfill allin bringing in this son. God specifies that sacrifices. Through ignorant and evil hands,this son would come through a certain fam- Jesus took on our sin and ourpunishment.ily. He told Abram around 2000BC that his God has provided the answer. The answer isfamily would be the key to bringing salva- Jesus. MYFtion to all men. And so, from the time of 13

The Paradox of Grace by Forrest D. Moyer Peter spoke to the gathering in Je- 2. Based on the fact that God is rich rusalem on the question of circum- in mercy, that he has great love, that cision and law keeping and said: he shows us the surpassing riches “Now therefore why do you put God of his grace in kindness, he saves to the test by placing upon the neck us, raises us up with him and sits us of the disciples a yoke which nei- with him in the heavenlies in Christ ther our fathers nor we have been (vv. 4-7). Then in vv. 8-9 Paul avers: able to bear? But we believe that we “For by grace you have been saved are saved through the grace of the through faith; and that not of your- Lord Jesus, in the same way as they selves, it is the gift of God; not as a also are” (Acts 15:10-11). The yoke result of works, that no one should of which Peter spoke was the Law of boast.” Since I am not saved by Moses. Some of the Judaizers were works of human righteousness but trying to bind some segments of by God’s grace, some have conclud- that law upon the Gentiles who had ed that man has nothing whatsoever become Christians. Paul and Barn- to do with his salvation. abas had strongly resisted such an effort at Antioch (Acts 15:1-2). Now Here is where the paradox of grace in the meeting, Peter likewise resists enters. It is true that nothing that I such Pharisaical demands. He wants do can merit salvation for me. It is the Jews to realize that their salva- by his marvelous grace. And yet, tion, like that of the Gentiles, is by strangely enough, our Lord demands the grace of the Lord Jesus. The me- all that we have and are. He expects ticulous keeping of the law of Moses us to deny ourselves and take up could not bring salvation to them. his cross daily and follow him (Lk. 9:23). He expects us to “present our Paul beautifully demonstrates how bodies as a living sacrifice” to him salvation comes to us in Ephesians (Rom. 12:1). He expects my body to14

be the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 book of the Law, to perform them.’Cor. 6:19). He urges me to “hold fast Now that no one is justified by thethe confession of our hope without Law before God is evident; for ‘Thewavering” (Heb. 10:23). He tells me righteous man shall live by faith.’that Jesus is the “author of eter- However, the Law is not of faith; onnal salvation to all those who obey the contrary, ‘He who practices themhim” (Heb. 5:9). Really, he demands shall live by them.”’ To be justifiedmy everything - my every thought, by keeping a law, one would have tomy every action, my every word, my keep that law perfectly. Since no oneheart, soul and mind. And yet he perfectly keeps the law (any law),says that I am saved by his grace. he cannot be saved by perfect lawHow can it be that I am saved from keeping. Even if we could be savedpast sins and continue to be saved by perfect obedience, then we wouldfrom current sins by his grace and have occasion to boast in our per-yet have him demand all that I am? fection. We would glorify ourselves.If his grace saves me, why should I God’s plan is for all glory to be giv-need to deny myself and take up his en to him through Jesus Christ (Eph.cross? Why should I be concerned 3:21). Since I am weak, frail, imper-about obeying him at all? This is the fect and unworthy, I must have oneparadox of grace! who is all-powerful and totally per- fect in which to put my faith. When You see, the reason that I cannot by faith I receive salvation by grace,be saved by works (of any kind) is I give him all the praise. I cry out,that I would have to perfectly work “Worthy art thou!” (Rev. 5)or obey the law under which I live.Paul said that in Galatians 3:10-12: But not only so, when I put myself“. . . Cursed is every one who does under Jesus as my Lord and do whatnot abide by all things written in the he says (Lk. 6:46), 1 am giving glo- 15

ry, not to myself, but to him. When glorify God in such an instance as I take up his cross daily and follow this means that I turn from my sin him, it gives all the glory to God and in genuine repentance and confess none to myself, for I must deny my- it to him. His grace then forgives, self. The way that I glorify the Father and I keep on walking in the light of is by honoring the Son (John 5:23). 1 his glory. I will be constantly striv- do that by total submission to him. ing to do all that he wants in my life. The only way that I can show my love But I do not rely on my own pow- to God is by obeying him (1 John 5:3). er to stand in right relationship to My purpose for being on this plan- God. He is the one who enables. His et is to glorify God. I could not do grace makes it all possible. When I this by my own works of righteous- realize this, then I can have a hap- ness or by meriting a right-standing py and confident walk with God. The with him. Consequently, God’s plan “blessed assurance” comes from his for my glorifying him is by my faith rather than from my own ability or taking him at his word. That faith is power. a response to his love and his grace. When in response to his will, I repent I am so thankful for the grace of and am baptized for the remission of God that reaches down into this sin- sins, all the glory goes to him since ful world and saves me and all who it is his plan and not mine. Those come to him in faith. Because of who refuse Bible baptism are refus- what he has done, I must bow in to- ing God’s grace and are not glorify- tal submission to his will. I may not ing him. In the same way, Christians understand all of it perfectly, but I who do not accept his will for our must be constantly seeking, learn- lives in living for him do not glorify ing, and following. And some glad him. They become like those “whose day because of his grace and love, I God is their belly and who glory in can be with him in that glorious city their shame.” The only way to give where there is no sin and no sorrow all the glory to God is to do what he and where I can praise him while says in his word. eternity’s ages roll on and on. Friend, won’t you join with those who have Does this mean “perfect obedi- washed their robes and made them ence”? No, John tells us that “if we white in the blood of the Lamb? You, say that we have no sin, we are de- too, can glorify God in your body ceiving ourselves, and the truth is while you live here on this earth. MYF not in us” (1 John 1:8). So, I do not live a perfect life or render perfect Guardian of Truth XXXII: 11, pp. obedience. I falter, I slip, I fall. To 321, 343 June 2, 198816

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Mind Your King: Lessons and Essays on Biblical Authority by Doy Moyer Mind Your King explores biblical concepts about God’s authority and how this impacts the church. Are we expected to have God’s authority for what we do? How do we know what pleases God? These are many other issues that are considered in two parts. Part 1 contains 13 lessons with discussion questions suitable for classes. Part 2 contains expanded essays on related issues. Find on Amazon.com Mind Your Faith: Essays in Apologetics by Doy Moyer The readings in this book were designed for an in- troductory course in evidences. Each reading was purposefully kept brief and can stand on its own as an introduction to various fields covered by apolo- getics. Find on Bookstore.floridacollege.edu Things Most Surely Believed by Forrest D. Moyer In these 16 brief sermons Forrest Darrell Moyer has stated with beautiful clarity and simplicity, yet with compelling force, the Christian’s “reason for hope” that is in him. He deals with the greatest themes the race has ever known-God, Christ, the cross, sin and redemption, the church, heaven and hell-yet he does it in language that the man in the pew, unskilled in the intricacies of theological vocabularies, can easily grasp. These sermons partake of that same quality which characterized the initial preaching of the gos- pel by Christ himself, of whom it was said, “and the common people heard him gladly.” Find on Amazon.com18

Discovering God’s Way Teen/Adult Why Believe The Bible? by Doy MoyerThis study of evidences for believing that Jesus is theChrist, the Son of God, and the Bible as the word ofGod is important for every Christian. Logical rea-sons upon which faith is based are given along withanswers to some of the common objections, such aswhy God allows suffering. Find on bookstore.floridacollege.edu The Bible Word What is the Bible All About? by Luke MoyerThe Bible is a collection of books spanning thou-sands of years of history and writing. Remarkably,they are flawlessly cohesive. Before we debate theimplications these documents have for each of us,we must understand its over-all message. Afterwe see the overall picture, the details will fall intoplace. The goal of this booklet is not to argue for re-ligion-specific doctrine, but to condense and trans-mit the themes and statements contained within thecollections of documents known as ‘The Bible.’ Find on thebibleword.org I Have Chosen Christ by Forrest D. MoyerA brief handbook for new Christians. This is de-signed to be of help to every Christian. This bookcan be studied in classes or individually so that ev-ery person may be familiar with its lessons. Dailystudy will help one learn more of the Lord and Hiswill for us.Read on Pubhtml5 19