BUT NOW!

 

Tuesday, April 14, 2026

 

BUT NOW!

 

Rom 3:19-21

19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

 

          The product of the law was not redemption but universal guilt. This guilt proved the universal inefficacy of self-improvement and self-redemption. “By the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight.” It was never the purpose of the Law. The law only points out sin and by doing so produces guilt. Guilt is the first step to redemption.

 

          The righteousness of God without the law presumes the subject has acknowledged that he can’t save himself or even improve himself. The righteousness is God’s and not ours. The Law’s mission and ministry was so that every mouth may be stopped; that every excuse might be rejected.

 

          Guilt gives way to accountability once excuses are removed. I become conscious that there is a Judge of my character and behavior and that there are consequences. I stand before Him with the knowledge of my sin and with no remedy. I am accountable but have nothing with which to pay my debt. I will surely be punished.

 

          Righteousness required becomes righteousness provided. It comes from the stores and reserves of another who is righteous and has righteousness to spare and share. The Prophets and the Law testify to the righteousness of Messiah. This righteousness is offered to the guilty by grace and it is received by faith. None is preferred or excluded. It is available to all. Justice was poured upon the innocent Jesus so that mercy might be extended to the guilty.

 

Rom 3:27-28

27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.

28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

 

Rock Of Ages

 

Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law's demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.

 

Dear Lord, thank you for the Law that made me guilty and for your own righteousness that made me free. AMEN

 

THIS IS WISDOM

 

Monday, April 13, 2026

 

THIS IS WISDOM

 

Ps 119:99

99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.

 

Deut 4:5-6

5 Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the Lord my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it.

6 Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.

 

Isa 30:21

21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

 

The world is full of experts and there is no lack of advisors. There seems to be, however, a lack of wisdom. The dictionary definition of a quandary is to be in a state of perplexity or doubt. I’ve been in a quandary many times surrounded by a multitude of counselors. Is there a sure reservoir of wisdom? Is there a safe haven for decision making? The Psalmist recommends the Word of God.

 

The art of meditation is lost, I think, to technology. There is no quietness or solitude because every question, no matter how deep or puzzling, has an immediate answer waiting at the tip of our thumbs. I enjoy a cup of coffee on the front porch swing with the mist still on the roses and the birds praising God for their daily food. Too often there is no time for it.

 

The Hebrew word for meditation indicates not only reflection but devotion. The word means to muse, contemplate, ponder and even to plan. The Bible gives us an advantage over our enemies, our teachers and the sages. Because the Bible is a living book empowered by a living Spirit, it speaks to me personally. It affects me mentally, emotionally and spiritually. The Psalmist gives us the best commentary in the following Psalm.

 

Ps 119:103-105

103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.

105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

 

Dear Lord, as I make time to meditate upon your Word and your ways, make me wise in a confusing world. AMEN

 

WHILE THEY BEHELD!

 

Sunday, April 12, 2026

 

WHILE THEY BEHELD!

 

Acts 1:7-11

7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

 

           The message of the angels was like that at the garden tomb. The angels seem almost amused by our reaction to things which are common among the spirits. “Why seek ye the living among the dead?” (Luke 24:5) Now we hear “Why stand ye gazing up into heaven?” What they had seen was now gone. What they were looking at was sky. It is hard to fathom the emotions of the moment, and one wonders, had the angels not intervened, if the disciples would not still be standing there.

 

           They nearly forgot their mission and that power, dunamis or dynamite power, would soon be given to them. This power would be both the desire and the ability to do the will and work of God! What would it be like to do the will of God without reluctance? What would it be like to do the work of God without weakness? 

 

           The angels announced that He would return “in like manner.” While we are watching and seeing nothing He will come. That day can’t be long in tarrying if His coming is conditioned on the wickedness and weariness of this world. The time between the ascension and the advent of the Holy Spirit was filled with fellowship and eager anticipation. So, it should be now while we wait for His return. Let us fellowship together in eager anticipation.

 

Dear Lord, there is a longing in our heart that is hard to define. We look for you with eager anticipation. Come quickly. AMEN