True Freedom

Do you have true freedom? Many think that they are living in freedom without being enslaved to anyone or anything. They can speak, write, believe, and do whatever they like as long as it is not against the law of their country. However, they fail to realise that they are enslaved to many things and really need the Saviour Jesus to make them free. The Lord says, “Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin” (John 8:34) and God’s Word says, “for of whom/what a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage” (2 Peter 2:19). Many are slaves to sins, lusts, hypocrisy, superstitions, false beliefs, lies, pride, selfishness, boasting, bad temper, envy, hatred, vengefulness, discrimination, criticism, complaining, murmuring, or impossible behaviours. Many are slaves to materialism, fashions, movies, novels, video games, or worldly pleasures. Many others are slaves to tobacco, alcohol, gambling or drugs.

You and I really need the Saviour Jesus to make us free. The Lord Jesus says, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free… If the Son (Jesus is the Son of God) therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:31,32,36), and God’s Word is truth (John 17:17). Therefore, without the Lord Jesus and His Word, no one nor anything in this world can give you and me true freedom.

The Death That Was No Ordinary Death!

 
Christ’s death was no ordinary death, but a mighty act envisioned to vanquish sin and death. Christ died in anticipation of His triumph. He “gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:14). His death put to death our death. Now all those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ can possess eternal life and they can look forward to a renewed life of godliness and spiritual joy. Sin and hell can no more subjugate and enslave those who have truly come to Christ. By His death, He has secured our salvation. He died that we may be freed. The shackles of sin and curse are cut asunder. He died to emancipate us!

The extraordinariness of Christ’s death is described in several biblical and theological terms. Understanding those terms would help believers to appreciate the matchless blessings that Christ’s death on the cross has achieved for them.

Redemption refers to the paying of a price to secure the release of a person in bondage or slavery. Jesus redeemed His people at the great cost of Himself. To redeem them from the curse of God’s law, He Himself had to become accursed on their behalf and die in their place. So they were redeemed with His precious blood. “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18–19). Therefore, it is only through Jesus that we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins (cf. Galatians 3:13; Hebrews 9:12).

Vicarious Death of Christ “is vicarious in the sense that Christ is the Substitute who bears the punishment rightly due sinners, their guilt being imputed to Him in such a way that He representatively bore their punishment” (Louis Berkhoff). “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation” (Hebrews 9:28).

Atonement refers to God’s act of reconciling us to Himself through the substitutionary death of Christ. Christ’s death is a perfect atonement for sin. “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement” (Romans 5:10–11).

Justification refers to God legally declaring His people not guilty but righteous on the grounds that Jesus suffered for all their sins and punishment. It is a gift which God offers His people and no one can receive it by doing good works. The only way we can be justified is by faith in Jesus Christ. “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24; cf. Romans 3:28; 5:1, 9, 16-19; Galatians 3:11, 24; Titus 3:7).

Sanctification refers to spiritual cleansing that Christ offers to those who trust Him. He achieved their purification through His perfect sacrifice on the cross. “Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate” (Hebrews 13:12).

Reconciliation refers to Christ’s removal of our sins which previously made us enemies of God. “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life” (Romans 5:10; cf. Colossians 1:21-22).

Propitiation refers specifically to the complete satisfaction of God’s justice and righteousness. By His death, Jesus appeased the just wrath of God against our sins. On the cross, Christ paid the moral debt incurred by our offence against the righteousness of God. By the perfect sacrifice that He made on our behalf, our sins were forgiven. Indeed, Christ is our propitiation because He bore the wrath of God against our sins and died. “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10; cf. Romans 3:24-25; Hebrews 2:17; Isaiah 53:5, 10; Matthew 27:46; John 19:30; 1 Peter 2:24).

“So Christ was once offered to bear
the sins of many; and unto them
that look for Him shall He appear
the second time without sin unto
salvation.” Hebrews 9:28

Written by Rev (Dr) Prabhudas Koshy Friday, 06 April 2012

Alive Forevermore!

Scripture Text: 1 Cor 15:20-28

In 1 Corinthians 15, the resurrection of Jesus in verse 20 provides the turning point. When we believe that Jesus died and rose again, are we believing it as a historical event or do we truly believe that Jesus died and rose again for us. In this verse, Paul is saying that none can be resurrected until Jesus be first resurrected. Although Jesus was not the only one who rose from the dead, Paul was implying that Jesus is the firstfruit of them that slept. The others who rose from the dead, died again. But Jesus rose again and He remains alive.

In verses 21 and 22, Adam the first man disobeyed God and ate the forbidden fruit. This act of disobedience brought sin and death into mankind. But Jesus brings life. Life is only needed for those who are dead. Thus, do you recognize that you are dead in your sins? Jesus promises that He will give life and we will be alive forevermore. Jesus is the only way. Only those who believe in Him are made alive. Therefore, are you in Christ?

Verse 23 can only be applied to those who are in Christ Jesus. When Jesus comes again, those who are dead in Christ will be resurrected. And we who are still alive will be raptured in the twinkling of an eye, and we will meet Jesus in mid-air. We can face death without fear because there is hope and comfort that we will be in heaven for eternity.

Verses 24 to 28 speak of the final victory that Jesus will have. All these will happen in the last day. All those in Christ will be protected, but those outside of Christ will be deemed His enemies and will suffer. Are you for God? Or against God?

Blessed is he that readeth

Scripture Text: Revelation 1: 1-3

1. The word “Blessed” is meant for only believers and is used to describe our eternal state in our relation with God. We can believe the revelation given to us by God for He is our loving Heavenly Father telling us things to come in future and He has the power to fulfill them.
 

2. It is a blessing to read the revelation of future events by the Lord as it will change our ways and thoughts in the light of the future things that will take place. We will not love the things of this world knowing that one day, this world will be destroyed by fire.
 

3. It is a blessing to read the revelation of future events as it is spoken by the Lord Himself. His Word is perfect and will not fail. We must obey the Word of God even as we read it.
 

4. It is a blessing because the time is at hand and we do not have much time left on this earth. We must not let the world distract us as the only time we can impact our eternity is in this life.

If Christ Be Not Risen

Our Preaching Is Vain: “And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain” (v 14). God’s Truth confirms, “For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion” (Eccl 9:4). A lion is so strong and fierce that it really scares many other animals and even human beings, but if it is dead, it cannot scare any. A famous and good doctor cannot help any if he is dead. You can be much encouraged when you hear about many good things a good person had done before his death, but he can never help you nor save you! It is just vain if I preach and introduce a dead man to you while you do need help, deliverance, and salvation! We must thank God and praise the Lord because Jesus Christ is truly risen from the dead, so He is “able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them” (Heb 7:25).

We Are False Witnesses of God: “Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not” (v 15). It is serious to tell a lie and bear false witness to others because God hates lies, falsehood. False witnesses and the liars cannot escape God’s righteous judgment. God’s ninth commandment is “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour” (Exod 20:16), and all the liars will be judged and condemned to Hell of fire, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (Rev 21:8).Thank God and praise the Lord that Jesus Christ is truly risen, so we are telling the truth and bearing true witness to Him, and those who deny His resurrection are liars and bearing false witness.

Your Faith Is Vain: “And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain” (v 17). It is vain to trust in a dead person who cannot see, hear, move, help or save you and me. It is vain and a waste of time to pray or cry to a dead person for help or salvation in our need, sins, troubles, difficulties, afflictions or hopelessness. It is vain and a waste of time to gather to worship a dead person who cannot save or bring us to Heaven. It is vain and a waste of life to sacrifice our life and live for a dead person. It is sad that many are deceiving themselves or deceived by others to have such a vain faith in dead religious leaders or ancestors and worship them! Thank God and praise the Lord that Jesus Christ is truly risen and living, so our faith in Him will never be vain, and trusting in Him, we shall never be disappointed.

You Are Yet in Your Sins: “And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins” (v 17). Sin is real, and human sinful nature is real. Even when Jesus came to die for our sins and to take away our sins, if He were not risen, we would continue living in sins as we have no life nor power to overcome our sinful nature. If Christ were not risen, we would be hypocrites because we can say, preach and teach good things while we are still living in sins and enslaved to sins. Paul shared his experience, “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do” (Rom 7:18-19). Then, he cried, “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” (v 24). Who can deliver Paul, you and me from our sinful nature? “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (v 25). Praise the Lord that Jesus Christ is risen indeed, so He is able to give you and me new life and strength to do good things and to overcome evil things. All glory and thanks must be unto Him alone.

Those Who Died in Christ Are Perished: “Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished” (v 18). It would be vain for you and me to believe in Christ if He were not risen because He could not raise us up or bring us up to Heaven when we pass away. We shall be perished or destroyed forever. Thank God that Jesus Christ is truly risen, so the dead in Christ will be raised to live with Him for ever when He comes.

We Are the Most Miserable: “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable” (v 19). If Christ were not risen, you and I would be still living in sins. We could not be helped, comforted, or saved in our troubles, and we would have no hope after death. As death would end everything, there would be no difference or justice for the wicked and the righteous. While you and I are willing to sacrifice ourselves, to forsake the world and worldly pleasures, and willing to be disadvantaged to keep ourselves from sins, lies, or dishonesty, and willing to suffer even the contempt, opposition, hatred, and persecutions from the world because of our faith in Jesus Christ, and so forth, we would be the most miserable if we would not receive any reward after death. No resurrection, no hope for life after death! Thank God and praise the Lord that Jesus Christ is risen indeed, so we are the most blessed through His life, presence, comfort, peace, joy, help, strength, and salvation!

Doctrine of the Trinity

Scripture Text: John 17: 1-22

1. The doctrine of the Trinity is one that is not easy to be taught and understood. The Unitarians are those who don't believe in the Trinity. If we do not believe in the Triune God, then we do not have true salvation. 1 John 5:7 "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one." This is the clearest evidence of the Trinity - One God in 3 Persons.

2. In John 17:1-12, we have the assurance that our eternal security is in the hands of the Lord. God saw nothing in us but the merits of His only Begotten Son Jesus Christ. However, not everyone who calls "Lord, Lord" shall enter into the kingdom of God. What is our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ now? Is it just a superficial one or one that seals us with the Lord Jesus Christ? Our purpose of living is in v. 10 where God is glorified in us.

3. In v. 13-19, the Lord Jesus was praying for the people to be sanctified. Jesus didn't pray to the Father for us to be filled with wealth but He was concerned for ourr spiritual life. He prayed that the people will be kept from the world. There will be temptations in the world but God has ordained us by His grace to be in the world but not of the world.

4. In v. 21-22 Jesus prayed for the unity of the believers. The world cannot see the true God when Christians are fighting against each other. The house will surely fall if it is divided. Before we enter heaven, let our relationship with God and man be right.

by Elder Douglas Ho

Good Friday

Dear Brethren,

When is Good Friday?

Good Friday is the Friday immediately before Easter Sunday which is the day of the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Good Friday is remembered as the day on which Jesus was crucified on the cross for our sins. The Lord Jesus was crucified and died on Friday. This is the first day of His death, and Saturday is the 2^nd day and on the 3^rd day which is Sunday, Jesus rose from the dead. Hence, Easter Sunday is also called the Resurrection Sunday.

Do we honour the day itself on Good Friday?

The Bible does not instruct Christians to remember Christ’s death by honouring a certain day. In fact, we do not think that today 6 April Friday is the exact day that Jesus died on the cross about 2000 years ago. You will notice that Good Friday date changes every year. In 2013, Good Friday is fixed on 29 March and in 2014, it is on 18 April. The dates are based on observing Easter on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the vernal equinox.

We do not honour a certain day but the Bible instructs us to remember Christ’s death for us. We remember Christ’s death by observing the Lord’s Supper.

“For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come” 1 Corinthians 11:26.

In our Church, we observe the Lord’s Supper once a month which is a time of reflection of our lives to seek for God’s forgiveness of our sins. We ought also to show our gratefulness to the Lord Jesus Christ for His divine unconditional love for us.

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” Romans 5:8.

What is the right attitude to observe on Good Friday?

Many Christian churches observe Good Friday with a subdued service, in which Christ’s death is remembered with solemn hymns, prayers of thanksgiving, a message centered on Christ’s suffering for our sakes, and observance of the Lord’s Supper. What is most important is not to go through the Good Friday worship service as a ritual or a duty. We do not come today because all my fellow Church members are here.

The right attitude is one that is thankful to God for His great salvation and we want to praise Him for saving us. We must not stop at thanking God only on Good Friday. It ought to be our entire life and every day and at all times. We must remember Jesus’ death for us not only on Good Friday but also every moment of our lives. This is the only way not to stray away from God. On Good Friday worship service, may we renew our love for our Saviour Jesus Christ. We may have left our first love or gone cold spiritually. May the love of Christ warm and constrain our hearts to love our Saviour with all our heart and soul and strength.

by Elder John Leong

Good Friday Service and Sunrise Service (Outline of Messages)

Good Friday Service – Christ’s Sufferings (Matt 27:46)

Christ Sufferings

-    Be despised and rejected (Isa 53:3; John 1:11).

-    Be hated, persecuted, blasphemed and evil spoken of (John 5:16,18; 7:7, 12; 9:24).

-    Betrayed, forsaken and denied (Mark 14:50; John 13:21; 18:17, 25-27).

-    Be tortured, smitten, mocked and crucified (Matt 26:67; 27:12,29,30,41).

-    Be misjudged and thought to be punished by God (Isa 53:4).

-    Be burdened with the sins of all mankind (1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 2:2).

The climax of Christ’s suffering is when He cried unto His Father,

“My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matt 27:46). Why?

Because of the sins of the whole world, including yours and mine!

Christ’s Blood-Shedding Death on the Cross

-    A perfect sacrifice for our sins, our Redemption (Col 1:14; Heb 10:12-14).

-    God’s love and Christ’s love manifested (John 3:16; 15:9,13; Rom 5:8).

-    God’s holiness, righteousness, judgement: do not take sins lightly (Rom 3:24-26).

-    Jesus Christ, the only living Way to God and to Heaven (John 14:6; Heb 10:20).

Our Proper Attitudes

-    Remember Christ’s love and sacrifice with our gratitude (1 Cor 11:23-25).

-    Being purchased by Christ’s blood, let us live for Him and His glory (1 Cor 6:20).

-    Be one with Christ in His death to self, sinful lusts and worldliness (Gal 2:20; 5:24; 6:14).

-    Look unto the Lord and humbly follow His steps (Heb 12:2; 1 Peter 2:21).

Message 1 – Our Bible (Eph 2:19-22)

What is Bible Inspiration? The Scripture is “God-breathed” or “inspired by God.” The Holy Spirit guided His saints and moved them to write exactly what He wanted them to write so that the final product is the very Word of God, free from errors (2 Peter 1:20-21). God not only inspired His Word as a whole but also all of His words (verbal plenary inspiration – VPI -  Matt 5:18; 2 Tim 3:16) in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek.

What is Bible Preservation? God has preserved His inspired Word as a whole and all of His inspired words as He promised (verbal plenary preservation – VPP -  Ps 12:6-7; Matt 5:18; 24:35, et al), and they are in the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts underlying the KJV.

Is the KJV the Inspired Word of God? KJV is not directly inspired by God, but it is the most faithful, correct, reliable and beautiful translation in English because it was translated from the preserved texts by godly and highly-qualified translators through the verbal technique of translation (word for word). So, it has preserved all sound doctrines.

Can God use the modern English versions of the Bible like the NIV to save an unbeliever from sin, and to edify a believer in the faith? Salvation is of the Lord (Jonah 2:9), and He can use modern English versions like a tract to save a repentant sinner, but to grow in faith and fight a good fight of faith, we have to use the KJV.

What are the dangers posed by modern Bible versions today? They contain God’s Word but are not exactly the Word of God because they are translated from the corrupt texts by ungodly translators using dynamic equivalence technique, so they do not present all biblical doctrines or right theology. They even cast doubt on God’s Word.

Our Proper Attitudes: Read, teach and preach the KJV with full trust & submission.

Message 2 – Our Reformed Faith (Eph 2:8-9)

What Is Reformed Faith?

-    It holds the fundamental doctrines of our Reformed Faith: the Trinity; the eternal and essential Deity of Christ; His eternal Sonship; His true humanity, His Virgin Birth by the miraculous action of the Holy Spirit upon the Virgin Mary; His atoning death, bodily resurrection, the second coming as the Judge of all the earth; and His unique Person as God manifested in the flesh.

-    It holds the five great sola statements: Sola Scriptura or “The Scripture Alone”; Sola Gratia or “Grace Alone”; Sola Fide or “Faith Alone”; Solo Christo or “Christ Alone”; and Soli Deo Gloria or “Glory to God Alone.”

-    It holds the five points of Calvinism (TULIP): Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints.

What is Hyper-Calvinism?

It overemphasizes God’s sovereignty and neglects human responsibility. It is wrong because Hyper-Calvinists deny God’s common grace and the free offer of the gospel and believe that since God loves only the elect and Christ died only for the elect, there is no need for evangelism.

What is Our View on the Millennium?

We are for Premillennialism (Rom 11:25-29; Rev 5:10; 20:6). Amillennialism (no millennium) and Postmillennialism (the world is getting morally better and better) are not biblical.

Sunrise Service – Christ Rose Again (I Cor 15:1-4)

How Do We Surely Know That Christ Died for Our Sins and Rose Again?

God’s Word, the Scripture, says so, “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Cor 15:3-4).

What Would Happen If Christ Had Not Risen Again?

-      Our preaching is vain, and our faith is also vain (v 14).

-      The dead would not be raised and all would perish (v 16, 18).

-      We are yet in our sins (v 17).

-      We are the most miserable, without any hope for our future life after death.

Jesus Christ Truly Rose Again!

-    Jesus Christ is the Son of God, is God Himself, with all power (Rom 1:4).

-    Jesus Christ fulfilled all the Scriptures (Luke 24:27,44).

-    His atoning sacrifice has been accepted (Acts 2:22-36). His resurrection is for our justification (Rom 4:25) and our future resurrection (1 Cor 15:20-23). Christ is our Hope.

-    Christ has overcome death, sin, Satan and the world and secured our victory in Him (Rom 8:37; 2 Cor 2:14). Christ is our Life (Col 3:4).

-    Christ will return, and our bodies will be changed like His (Phil 3:21).

-    Our labour in Him is not in vain (1 Cor 15:58).

Message 3 – Our Practices (I Cor14:26-40)

God’s Word, the Scripture is the foundation of our faith, salvation, doctrines, worship, services and practices. Let all things be done unto edifying, decently (properly) and in order, and with love (1 Cor 14:26,40; 16:14). Our practices are as follows:

-    Biblical Separation from sins, self, worldliness, wrong doctrines, all unbiblical ‘isms’, and disobedient brethren must be applied in both personal life and in the church (2 Cor 6:14-18; 2 Thess 3:6-15). This should be biblically practised in love and humility to avoid being isolationistic.

-    Sacraments are only two: The Lord’s Supper replaces the Passover (1 Cor 11:23-25), and Water Baptism (by sprinkling) replaces circumcision (Col 2:11-12). Infant baptism (not baptismal regeneration) signifies an entrance into God’s covenant which is family-oriented (Gen 17:10-12; Deut 29:11-12).

-    Church Government is Presbyterian, which means the church is ruled by a plurality of elders (Board of Elders). Members must be careful to elect godly and spiritually mature elders, and likewise deacons who are submissive to the Lord and His Word to assist the elders (Acts 20:17,28; 1 Tim 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9). Presbyterian government is different from Episcopal government(governed by one person, by a hierarchy of bishops – if he is ungodly, he will mislead the members with ungodly decisions or wrong doctrines) and from Congregational government (governed by all the church members – if the majority are ungodly, the church will be ungodly).

-    Burial of the Dead is our practice as our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19-20) and will be resurrected with a glorious body like Christ’s. Cremation (a heathen practice) is not biblical.

Bearing the Fruits of Wisdom (I) (Proverbs 3:1-12)

God’s wisdom can make our path a pleasant and rejoicing one. This can only be possible if we do not just keep and store God’s Word in our mind and heart, but also to understand and apply it in our lives. Then we can bear many good fruits as mentioned in Proverbs 3:1-12.

There are six fruits in Proverbs 3:1-12 which we can bear if we keep, understand and apply God’s Word in our lives.

1.    Long life (v 2-3): In the Ten Commandments, the fifth commandment tells us to honour our father and mother, that our days may be prolonged (Deut 5:16). Thus, we are to honour our parents, because as a child who grows up honouring his parents, he too will grow up to honour God.

2.    Favour (v 4): Being truthful children of God, we can find favour from people around us, for no one trusts a liar.

3.    Direction (v 5-7): God will not leave us alone, but is ever ready to direct us. He will not let us survive on our own. He has the best plan for us.

4.    Good health (v 8): This refers to our spiritual health. As the “navel” reminds us of our sole dependence on our mother before our birth, we can solely depend on God for God will provide us with all our physical and spiritual needs.

5.    Wealth (v 9-10): Tithing reminds us of God’s providence. Everything that we have comes from God. Thus when we honour God and not withhold our substance from Him, He will reward us with bountifully.

6.    God’s loving discipline (v 11-12):  This applies to God’s children. God’s discipline is meant to bring us back to His path. The rod of correction is used by God to strengthen our faith. Thus we are to thank God for His loving discipline.

As God’s children, we have the privilege to bear all these six fruits if we seek His wisdom

Rev Dennis Kwok 

God’s Protection (Part 2)

God’s Power: We can fully trust in God’s protection because of His power. God is all-powerful and all-wise to create the heaven and the earth, the universe, human beings and all things in it (Jer 32:17; Rev 4:11); He is all-powerful to save sinners who repent and believe in Him (Rom 1:16; Heb 7:25); and He is all-powerful to keep His children, “who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:5). God’s children still encounter temptations, accidents, persecutions, dangers, etc., but God is able to keep their hearts in peace, to keep them from evil, and to keep them faithful to Him unto death. God “is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy” (Jude 1:24). 

God’s Faithfulness: “Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations” (Deut 7:9). We can fully trust in God’s protection because of His faithfulness, “But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil” (2 Thess 3:3). 

The Lord Jesus’ Prayer: We can stand firm not because we are more clever than others but because the Lord Jesus prays for us, “Holy Father, keep through thine own name those,… thou shouldest keep them from the evil” (John 17:11, 15), “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them” (Heb 7:25). The Devil desired to sift Peter, but the Lord said, “But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not” (Luke 22:32). Knowing this, we shall be more humble and much more grateful to the Lord Jesus.

Have you been kept by the Lord’s power, faithfulness and prayer?

God’s Protection (Part 1)

Living in the world full of sins, deceits, snares and temptations, we do need God’s guidance as well as God’s protection.  We are like “sheep in the midst of wolves” (Matt 10:16), and the Devil is like “a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). The naive and wandering sheep are only easy prey to lions, wolves, or fierce beasts. Without God’s protection, we are only helpless victims of the Devil. Knowing this truth, we shall humbly hide ourselves in God and His protection.  

God’s Perfect Protection

In perilous, risky or threatening situations, many turn to men or human means and resources, but sadly they never have true and lasting peace. God’s Word teaches us to turn to the Lord, the Creator, who created the heaven and the earth, human beings and all things in it: “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber... The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand… The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore” (Ps 121:1-3, 5, 7-8). To be kept by God Himself, you and I will be secure. The Lord Jesus confirms, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand” (John 10:27-29).

If you and I are the true sheep of the Lord, we shall be kept safe in His mighty and loving hands. Please read our next article.