Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth

by Phil T. Arnold

In 2 Timothy 2:15 we are told that we are to be “Rightly dividing the word of truth” (KJV).  While the primary emphasis of this Scripture is that we are to be “handling accurately the word of truth” (NASV), it certainly has application to the necessity of dividing the Old Testament from the New Testament from the standpoint of law and binding authority.  Unless this separation is made, one is not “handling accurately the word of truth”.  We have previously emphasized our reverence for the Old Testament Scriptures as the word of God and our utmost respect for their relevance unto modern man.  Thus, there should be no misunderstanding concerning our appreciation for the Old Testament Scriptures when we speak of them as not being binding as a law upon anyone since the time of Christ’s death and the coming of the gospel.

Initially we should realize that the covenant or law of the Old Testament was limited in at least two senses.  First of all, it was not given to all men but to Israel only (Deut.5:1-3).  Secondly, it was limited in that it was to last only “till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made”, namely Jesus Christ (Gal.3:19,16).  Thus, the Old Law did pass away with its fulfillment in the Messiah (Matt.5:17).  Notice the following passages: “Having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us.  And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.” (Col.2:14).  “But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.” (Rom.7:6).  “Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.  But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.”  (Gal.3:24,25).  In fact, if the Old Law is still in force, Christ is not now our High Priest nor did He accomplish the bringing in of the New Covenant as the Hebrew writer so claims. (Heb.7:11-28; 10:9,10).

Think not that such a conclusion leaves man to do as he pleases for man is not without law before God.  We simply are not under the law of Moses (including the Ten Commandments) as a covenant, and we are not under the Old Law of the Sabbath, incense, animal sacrifice, and such.  Paul declared us as “not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ” (1 Cor.9:21).  We have become dead to the Old Law, not to be freed from law, but to be joined to another (Rom. 7:4).

Again, do not worry that man is not bound by the great principles found within the Ten Commandments.  It is true that none of the Ten Commandments as such are a part of the law of Christ.  But the principles taught in nine of the Ten Commandments are not only included as a part of the Christian dispensation but are enlarged upon and given new emphasis.  Only the fourth commandment pertaining to the observance of the Sabbath is not included as a duty of the Christian.

The Old Testament is to be regarded as the word of God.  But to properly understand both the Old and New Testaments we must make the proper distinction between them in terms of binding authority.  The Old Testament Scriptures are relevant and beneficial unto the Christian, but they are not binding upon him as law.  We follow Jesus under “a new and living way”, the gospel of Christ (Heb.10:20).  The danger of failing to “rightly divide the word of truth” is plainly stated in Galatians 5:4.  “You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.”  Let us not be guilty of such and fall into the same condemnation.

Y2K or the Judgment Day?

by Phil T. Arnold

Is there anyone who hasn’t heard of Y2K?  Fear of the “unknown” that the year 2000 will bring is spreading like wildfire.  The news contains some related story almost every day.  Last week we received an advertisement at the meeting house for the Y2K Readiness Expo held at the fairgrounds here in OKC.  It instructed us to be sure to let all our members know about this important event.  Carol and I were also fortunate enough(?) to receive a personal warning in the mail from a concerned relative who told us about the provisions we should have on hand when the New Year strikes.  These provisions included, among other things, a handgun because, after all, we will be without the protection of the police for a period of time and things will evidently revert to the Wild West and everyone will have to personally protect themselves and their property.

While I obviously do not share their alarm, I do not mean to make fun of those fearful of what the New Year will bring.  To them this is a very real concern.  But what does strike me in all this is the fact that people are so concerned about something that may or may not ever take place while remaining indifferent to the most certain event in the history of mankind – eternal judgment.  Unfortunately, it would not surprise me at all if this same imbalance were not evident in many denominational pulpits with more mention of Y2K than judgment in Sunday sermons.  All of this simply illustrates the emphasis that most people and many human religions place upon this life over that which is to come.

To anyone who believes in the divine inspiration of the Scriptures, the FACT of the judgment is without question.  It is not the proverbial “death and taxes” that are unavoidable but “death and judgment”.  The Hebrew writer affirmed, “it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” (Heb.9:27).  Paul also told the Athenians “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained.  He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.” (Acts 17:30-31).  Just as surely as it is appointed unto all men to die and just as surely as Jesus Christ was raised from the dead, there will be a day of eternal judgment.

The Scriptures likewise teach that the BASIS of that judgment will be the words of Christ.  Jesus said, “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him – the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.” (John 12:48). Each one of us will be judged “according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Cor.5:10) “by the things….written in the books” (Rev.20:12-13).  “In that day” it will not be enough to have said that Jesus was “Lord” nor even enough to have been religiously active and attributed our works to Jesus.  We must have done “the will of” the “Father in heaven.” (Matt.7:21-23).  Of course we will all have fallen short of doing the Father’s will perfectly and thus have sinned (Rom.3:23).  Therefore, our hope in that day is that we will stand forgiven of our sins by the blood of Christ (Rom.5:6-10).  But this hope does not rest upon belief without obedience (Jam.2:17,20,24,26) nor confession without compliance (Lk.6:46; Heb.5:9).  We must have a faith (absolute conviction about Jesus as the Son of God and confidence in Him) that works (obeys and strives to keep all of  Christ’s law, His gospel) through love (motivated by loving Him who first loved us). (See Gal.5:6; Matt.16:16; 10:32,33; John 14:1,6; 8:24; Matt.7:21; Heb.5:9; Rev.22:14; John 14:15; Matt.22:37-38; 1 John 5:3).

To all Bible believers the IMPORTANCE of that day of eternal judgment cannot be questioned and is without equal.  This judgment will be eternal.  Our destiny for time without end will have been determined.  As the song so beautifully expresses about the glory of heaven, “When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun; we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we first begun.” (Amazing Grace).  And in spite of what some teach, the torment of hell will be equal in duration.  Paul wrote, “And to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance, on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.  These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes, in that Day…” (2 Thess.1:7-10a).  Jesus succinctly said, “When the Son of Man comes in His glory…All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another…these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (Matt.25:46).

There is a panic in the tone and actions of some as they view the coming millennium with great trepidation.  It seems to me that others may be “making a dollar” by preying upon these fears.  I don’t know how large the crowds will be at the upcoming Y2K Readiness Expo at the fairgrounds, but safe to say that the crowds will probably greatly exceed the number who would attend a Judgment Day Readiness Expo.  In this world, we can expect nothing more.  “For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the son of Man be.” (Matt.25:38-39 – Note: In context, I believe these passages refer to Christ’s coming in the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, but in principle they apply to the Lord’s final return and the eternal judgment to follow).

Have you been to the post office lately?  In our post office there is a lighted display counting down the days, hours and minutes remaining in the year until the coming of the year 2000.  Whether we want to think about it or not, each of us are on the clock and the time is running out.  Our death (or the Lord’s return) is coming (when we do not know) and then the judgment.  Are you ready for Y2K?  There may or may not be anything to get ready for.  We may not be alive.  The Lord might return.  There may be no general failure as some predict.  Much more importantly, are you ready for the judgment day?  It is certain and its significance is not overstated!

You Must Be Born Again

by Phil T. Arnold

To Nicodemus, the ruler who came to Jesus by night, Jesus clearly said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3).  There are few religious groups or individuals, if any, who claim belief in Jesus as the Christ and the Bible as the word of God who would deny the absolute necessity of one being “born again” to have access to “the kingdom of God” and thus salvation.  True there may well be considerable debate and disagreement as to what constitutes this new birth, but its essentiality is seldom disputed.  Since such is the great consensus of Bible believers, it would seem that identifying this new birth and one being born again would be likewise of absolute necessity.  What then is the “new birth” and exactly how is one “born again”?

Many there are who have attempted to force their theological bias upon the text to bring about harmony between the words of Christ and their distorted views of how salvation is received by man.  To accomplish this, some aspects of the new birth that are affirmed in some passages are emphasized while others are ignored.  It should be obvious for one to have “the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth” all of what God has had to say about being “born again” must be considered.

First of all, it should be noted that this “new birth” is not connected with the physical birth by which all come into the world.  Nicodemus revealed error in his initial comprehension of Jesus’ statement when he said, “How can a man be born when he is old?  Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” (John 3:4).  That this was a misunderstanding of Jesus’ teaching is made obvious by Jesus’ response to Nicodemus’ inquiry.  “Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.  That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (John 3:5-6).  The Jews of Jesus day thought that because they were the physical (fleshly) descendants of Abraham, they were the favored of God and needed nothing else to be in His kingdom and recipients of salvation.  Jesus wanted them and all men to know that our fleshly lineage is not enough.  John the baptizer had previously warned the Jews about this in calling them to repentance by affirming, “Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’  For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.” (Matt.3:9).  No, one’s earthly descent does not determine one’s standing before God – good or bad (see Ezek.18:4ff).  God shows no partiality (Acts 10:34-35; Rom.2:11).  “Unless one” (any one, Jew or Gentile, male or female, bond or free – see Gal.3:28) “is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3).

Likewise it should be obvious from the response of Jesus to Nicodemus that being born again is accomplished by being born of the water and the Spirit.  To what could this refer?  Most all are in agreement that the “Spirit” in this text refers to the Holy Spirit although there are wide differences concerning the matter of how the Spirit is involved in the new birth.  Concerning the identity of the “water” involved in the new birth there is not as much agreement.  Here is where the theological bias of many is so easily seen as they attempt to explain away the “water” that is so prominently connected with man’s salvation in the gospel.  In the household of Cornelius, Peter inquired, “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized…” (Acts 10:47).  On the road to Gaza after Philip preached to him Jesus, the eunuch of Ethiopia asked, “See, here is water.  What hinders me from being baptized?” (Acts 8:36).  “And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.” (Acts 8:38).  Peter, in his first epistle, would draw a comparison between the Christian’s salvation and that of Noah and his family during the time of the flood by saying they “were saved through water.  There is also an antitype which now saves us – baptism…” (1 Pet.3:20,21). 

These references could be multiplied but they would make no clearer the fact that the “water” connected with the preaching of Jesus and the salvation that comes through His name referred to “baptism”.  This makes baptism absolutely essential for one’s salvation for “unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5).  But then of course this is the same truth stated by Jesus in sending His apostles out into the world to proclaim His gospel of salvation.  He said, “And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.  He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”  (Mk.16:15-16). 

If one must be born again to enter the kingdom, and he must.  And if one must be born of the water and the Spirit to be born again, and he must.  And if the water involved in being born again has reference to baptism, and it does; then one must be baptized in water to be born again and to see the kingdom of God.  If not, why not?  There is complete agreement by all believers in the Bible as the word of God that one must be born again to see the kingdom.  So there should be agreement by all believers in the Bible that one must be baptized in water to be born again and have this wonderful salvation found only in Jesus.  If not, why not?

“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.  That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.” – John 3:5-7 

Stand Fast

by Phil T. Arnold

This past week we have been made acutely aware of the passing of our fortieth president, Ronald Wilson Reagan.  His memory has been honored through services and ceremonies from coast to coast and through numerous interviews and TV specials.  Most of us (even those who were adults during his presidency) who have been following all the events probably know more about Ronald Reagan now that he has died than we ever knew about him while he was alive.  Both his accomplishments and what some view as his failures have been debated and underscored.

One of the points concerning Reagan that has brought the greatest agreement was his determined stand for a few firm convictions that he held.  This was seen most certainly in his economic policies and his world view (both our enemies and our place in the world).  Yes, like all politicians he had advisers and made compromises, but when it came to certain convictions he held fast – often even at the dismay of many of those supporters nearest to him.  This was true in one of the speeches for which he is best remembered – his speech at the Berlin Wall.  His closest advisers advised him to temper and change his plain remarks directed at the USSR.  But change he would not and he spoke his convictions.

Whether you agree with him or not, there is something to be admired when people are willing to stand fast for what they believer.  There is little to commend that man who “waffles”, compromises what is suppose to be his deepest convictions and comes to stand for nothing more than what people want to hear at the moment.  And such is true, not only in political circles but, in life and religion as well.

In a number of passages throughout God’s word, God’s people are called upon to be uncompromising, never wavering, but to stand fast.

Romans 5:2 “through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

1 Corinthians 15:1 “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand.”

1 Corinthians 16:13 “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.”

Galatians 5:1 “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”

Ephesians 6:11 “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

Philippians 4:1 “Therefore, my beloved and longed for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.”

2 Corinthians 1:24 “Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand.”

2 Thessalonians 2:15 “Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.”

1 Thessalonians 3:8
“For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.”

1 Peter 5:12 “…I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.”

The preceding texts not only call upon us to “stand fast in the Lord” (Phil.4:1; 1 Thess.3:8) but give us insight into how God intends for us to take our stand.  Our stand is not to be based simply on our own feelings or opinions but is to be “in the faith”, “the gospel” – God’s eternal truth (1 Cor.15:1; 16:13; 2 Thess.2:15) – and the convictions we hold based on that revelation (2 Cor.1:24).  Likewise, our ability to stand is not to be merely the result of our ability or strength but rather is to be drawn from the great grace we have received (Rom.5:2; 1 Pet.5:12) and protected by the armor that God equips us with (Eph.6:11).  Our motivation to stand comes not from the desire to be honored by man but to please Him who has loved us so much that He has saved us and set us free (Gal.5:1).  Finally, we stand fast because it is the Lord’s will and because the Lord stands with us wherever we go and in whatever triumph or trial we may find ourselves in.
Yes, we admire those who stand fast.  Let us be among that number who “stand fast.”  Brethren, “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.” (1 Corinthians 16:13)  Ronald Wilson Reagan has received great earthly honor for being a man stood fast and served his country.  A greater and eternal honor awaits those who stand fast and serve their Lord.  “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” (1 John 3:1-2)

Respect for the Scriptures of the Old Testament

by Phil T. Arnold

There is often a great deal of misunderstanding concerning the beliefs and practices of almost every religious body, and the church of the Lord is no exception.  We have been charged with believing, teaching and practicing a number of things which have never had any “part or parcel” of the church of Christ.  These false charges may at times be deliberate attempts to slander and “speak evil of that which is good”.  More often perhaps it is simply the result of misunderstanding.  This misunderstanding may have resulted from generalizations (such as “all Baptists believe the same thing” or “all ‘antis’ are opposed to Bible classes an multiple containers for the Lord’s Supper, etc.).  Or it may be the result of prejudice (that is, drawing conclusions without considering the subject or the situation completely).  Of course the source of this misunderstanding may also often be traced to the actions, attitudes and statements of the members themselves.  One of the most common misunderstandings concerning the Lord’s church relates to our belief concerning the Old Testament Scriptures.  I cannot really speak for others or for “the church” but only for myself, and I can only hope to “speak as the oracles of God” in an attempt to clear up this misconception concerning the church of our Lord.

All Scripture is inspired of God… including the Old Testament

It is sometimes charged that “YOU PEOPLE DON’T BELIEVE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT”.  That charge simply is not true.  The Bible is the inspired word of God and that includes both the Old and New Testaments.  Paul wrote unto Timothy and said, “And that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  All Scripture is inspired by God…” (2 Tim.1:15,16a).  All Scripture is inspired of God including the Scriptures of Timothy’s youth, which of necessity would have been the Old Testament Scriptures.

In fact, I fail to see how anyone could possibly believe in the New Testament without believing in the Old Testament and vice versa.  The New Testament constantly affirms the inspiration of the Old Testament and constantly looks to it for confirmation and agreement.  In fact, how could anyone believe in Jesus as the Christ without believing in the Old Testament?  Jesus continually quoted those Scriptures in proof of His own person.  Would the Son of God have lent support to writing which claimed to be the Word of God if they were not?  This is what the Old Testament Scriptures claim for themselves when they state, “Thus says the lord”, “Hear now what the Lord is saying”, “The word of the Lord which came to me”, and other such phrases.  I believe that the claims are true.  I firmly believe the Old Testament to be just as much the word of God as the New Testament, and on this I have staked my soul’s eternal destiny.

It is sometimes also charged that “YOU PEOPLE DON’T BELIEVE THE OLD TESTAMENT HAS ANY USE TODAY, THAT IT IS A DEAD LETTER AND THAT IT SIMPLY DOESN’T SPEAK TO US TODAY IN ANY WAY.”  Again the charge is false.  Unfortunately, I could see how some might draw such conclusions by viewing the attitudes and practices of some members of the church.  Sometimes members of the church are not prepared to properly discuss the abolition of the Old Law and as a result  they  just tell  people  that it doesn’t  have  anything to do  with us and leave people with the wrong impression.  Or perhaps the misunderstanding comes from the unwillingness of some members of the church to study the Old Testament Scriptures.  If someone would charge us with not studying the Old Testament, there are times that it might be pretty hard to refute.

I don’t believe that the Old Testament is a dead letter.  It does speak to us today and contains words of benefit for us.  “Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come.” (1 Cor.10:11).  “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” (Rom.15:4).  In each of these texts, it is obvious that the writing under consideration is the Old Testament Scriptures.  Yes, God has preserved the Old Testament Scriptures for us and they have a definite value and purpose.  They are not a dead letter nor are they just some ancient history that is without relevance to modern man.  If no other reason for their importance to us could be offered than but simply that they are Scripture (God-breathed, inspired by Jehovah), that would be sufficient to make them precious to us, worthy of our study and demanding of our reverence.

Don’t Insult My Bride

by Phil T. Arnold

“For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so {let} the wives {be} to their own husbands in everything.  Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it, that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish.” – Eph.5:23-27

It is amazing to me how unattractive the bride of Christ apparently is in the eyes of so many who claim to be attracted to Christ.  The bashing of the church while continuing to profess Jesus Christ as Lord has become a popular response on the part of many.  How must that make Christ feel?  Perhaps this is to be expected from those who only have a denominational concept of the church and think of the church as merely the product of men in their hopefully honest efforts to serve Christ.  It would be reasonable that such uniformed individuals regard the church as an option and that one might “choose the church of their choice” or in fact choose no church at all but only choose Christ.  While such ignorance is apparent, this would seem to lessen little the insult to Christ to count as trivial or meaningless that which He cherishes.

Many great dowries may have been paid for other brides but none compares to the price Jesus paid for His bride. “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” -  Acts 20:28

Many husbands may have given much in demonstration of their undying love for their wives, but none greater than the sacrifice Jesus made for His bride whom He loved.  “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it.” -  Ephesians 5:25

Any loving husband would do all he could to spare His wife torment and pain, but only Christ can save and the only ones He will save are His bride, the church.  “For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.” – Ephesians 5:23 (See also Eph.1:21-22)

Consider the following two statements of Scripture:  In speaking of the importance of Jesus in our relationship with the Father, Paul wrote to the church at Colosse: “For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him…” – Colossians 2:9-10  In other words, all of the blessings and benefits that “the Godhead” offers to bestow upon us are found in and through Jesus Christ, who was the physical manifestation of God in this world.  Is that true?  If so, think about the significance of the following statement of Paul to the Ephesians regarding the church of which Christ is head.  “And He put all {things} under His feet, and gave Him {to be} head over all {things} to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” – Ephesians 1:22-23  Just as Christ is “the fullness of the Godhead” so too is the church said to be “the fullness of” Christ.  Just as all that God offers to us is found in Jesus so too all that Jesus offers to us is found in His church.  If not, why not?

We must remember the principle set forth by Jesus concerning acknowledging Him as Lord.  “But why do you call Me `Lord, Lord,’ and do not do the things which I say?” – Luke 6:46  The church (purchased by His blood, for which He sacrificed Himself, over which He is head, which He has promised to save, and His fullness) is the Lord’s teaching and not man’s.  We truly do not accept Him as Lord without accepting His bride, the church.  And we can only truly honor Him as we honor His bride.

Also, we in the Lord’s church need to be reminded of the priceless gift that is ours in this wonderful relationship called the church that “yes” is most significantly my saved relationship with God but that also involves my relationship with fellow forgiven sinners and fellow heirs.  We, who are members of that precious body, need to also remember that the visible manifestation of the church which belongs to Jesus in this world today is seen in local congregations of which we are blessed to be members  -  to be aided in our spiritual journey and in which we serve the Lord, one another and the world.  Do we think of the Lord’s church as incidental?  No, not in the universal sense of all the saved who belong to Christ – but in the congregational sense, the practical, daily, participatory sense?  What value do we place upon the local church of which we are members?  Do we regard it merely as the product of men in their hopefully honest efforts to serve Christ?  Do we view it as an option to be chosen when it serves us and cast aside when we feel it does not?  Just as surely as the church universal is the bride of Christ, so too is the local church that belongs to Him for He is head of both, Lord of all and the only Savior that any will ever know.  Love and loyalty to Him is seen in this wonderful relationship to which we have been called – His bride, the church. 

Praying for Our Nation

by Phil T. Arnold

Most of those reading this article have been blessed by the providence of God to have been born and live in the “land of the free and home of the brave”.  The majority of the world’s population today can only dream of the freedom and prosperity that we enjoy, and sadly we often take them for granted here in America.  Each of us ought to give thanks unto God for putting us in such a blessed position and we also ought to recognize the responsibility that accompanies such blessings.  As our nation struggles under the process of selecting our next President, it is most appropriate that as Paul instructed Timothy, we offer up prayers for our nation.  Paul wrote, “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, {and} giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

It is in complete harmony that we pray for our nation and it’s leaders “that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence”.  In fact, such prayers are not an option but are a stated instruction (command) from an inspired apostle.  This being so, we must ask, “Do we and are we praying such prayers?”  “If not, why not?”  “Is this a command that is optional and can be ignored without consequence?”  Truly we ought to be a people of prayer and our prayers ought to include our nation and political leaders.

As we are moved to pray for our nation should we not pray “if the Lord wills…” as we should in all matters of God’s providence? (Jam.4:15).  Our view of God’s providential work in the world is so limited we generally see only the immediate and personal outcome of matters.  Moving us to often think that there can be only one answer to our prayers.  As Habakkuk could not imagine how God’s purposes could be furthered by Assyria being triumphant over Israel, so too we may find it hard to imagine how that what is harmful to the security and prosperity of America may be used by God to further His will.  As an Egyptian, the Pharaoh in the days of Moses would not have been my choice for the leader of my nation, but he was the right man for the job that God wanted done.  The answer to our prayers and outcome to our nation should not ever shake our faith concerning who is in control of all things.  “But the just shall live by his faith.” (Hab.2:4b).  “But the Lord is in His holy temple.  Let all the earth keep silence before Him.” (Hab.2:20).  “Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls – Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” (Hab.3:17-18).

As we think about our prayers for our great nation, it provides us with a good opportunity to examine our prayer life and life as a whole.  For which do we pray more often: our nation or the Lord’s kingdom, our physical health or our spiritual health, our treasures on earth or our treasures in heaven, etc.?  While we certainly are authorized and even commanded to pray concerning temporal affairs, they are never to outweigh our concern for eternal matters.  Truly the importance of temporal affairs are most clearly seen as they relate to eternal matters.  We should be a thankful and patriotic people in relation to our wonderful land, but our faith and true citizenship should ever be in that kingdom which is unshakable and which will never be destroyed. (Phil.3:20-21; Heb.12:28) (PA)

“Mom! What Are You Thinking?”

by Phil T. Arnold

A few weeks ago, I was walking in one of the local Wal-Marts getting something.  I forget what.  I came up behind what I assumed to be a mother with her young daughter of perhaps 14 or 15.  The mother was dressed rather conservatively – nothing to draw undue attention.  But the daughter!  She was wearing shorts – as short as possible and still be shorts – and a tee shirt that forgot to come down to meet the shorts.  To top it off a vulgar, suggestive, one word message appeared in large letters across the young lady’s back-side.  Surely, a young LADY of 14 or 15 is old enough to know better than to leave her room dressed in such a fashion but my first thought was, “Mom! What are you thinking?”  What are you thinking letting your teenage daughter appear in public in such a lascivious fashion?  What are you thinking when you decide that to dress like a harlot is acceptable for your daughter? Don’t misunderstand.  I’m not suggesting that the young lady was a harlot nor that her mother intended for her to appear as one, but that was the resulting message of their fashion choices. 

What was she thinking?  Most people act as though they are not thinking – at least not about decency and modesty.  A commercial that ran a while back sadly depicts the world in which we live.  It portrayed a young girl, dressed in jeans and a short top revealing the midriff about to leave the house.  Her father stopped her and said, “You’re not leaving the house dressed like that!”  The young lady was devastated when her mother appeared to agree.  But then her mother pulled her jeans down to reveal even more and all was well.
The fashion industry has never been about modesty – only sales.  And today sales seem to be directed at having young ladies (and not so young foolish women) mimic the example of pop singers and worldly actresses wearing extremely seductive clothing.  And although I continue to be shocked, such is, I must sadly admit, to be expected of the world which has never been concerned with decency.  But even some Christians are wearing the worldly fashions without a blush and young ladies are wearing them apparently without parental restraint.  We act like God doesn’t care what we wear.  Since when is an exposed belly button godly?  Have we forgotten that Jesus is Lord both of our bodies and how we clothe them? (1 Cor.6:19-20).  Have we forgotten Paul’s inspired instruction concerning our choice of clothing?  “that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation….which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.” (1 Timothy 2:9-10)  Does the way we dress (whether male or female) reflect our claim that we are Christians or does it contradict?

This article may be a few weeks too late for all the back-to-school shoppers, but hopefully not too late for our young people to learn modesty.  I would ask all parents to stop and look again at what your children are wearing – not only to school but everywhere.  Mom, are you just allowing your daughter to pick out her own clothes without any input or are you buying clothing for your daughter that will prompt the world to look upon her in some way other than pure and chaste?  I know there is a desire for your daughter to be accepted and popular, but at what price?  I truly believe that there is still enough variety in today’s fashions that one can be fashionable and still be modest.  But even if there is not, what choice should we make?

And fathers, I realize full well as a father of two little girls who have grown into young women that that transformation takes place so suddenly that we are often the last to realize it.  While it may be difficult for you, I urge you to look again and be actively involved in what your daughter chooses to wear when it comes to decency.  Look at what she wears when she stands and sits, moves and walks!  Does it rise above the knee and reveal her thighs when she sits down?  Does it gap open when she moves?  Is it too tight when she walks?  Would it move others (try to see it from their perspective) to think of your daughter as anything other than the godly young lady you strive to raise her to be?

Doesn’t issues of modesty apply to the young men as well?  Well, of course it does!  Happily the fashion industry for the most part has made young men’s shorts so long that it’s really hard to call them shorts and pants so baggy that it disguises almost anything.  But when young men choose to wear their trousers so low that it reveals their backside or wear jeans so tight that one doesn’t have to guess if they’re boxers or briefs, the same principles apply to them.

There used to be an expression that “the clothes make the man.”  I don’t agree.  I do believe that our clothes say something about us.  Does what we choose to wear and allow members of our family to wear say that we are “professing godliness with good works”?  Such a choice may not mean that we will always be dressed like everyone else, but then they may not be professing the same thing we are!  In fact, Paul would suggest that we should stand out “as lights in the world”.…”in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation” (Phil. 2:15).

Welcome to Phil Arnold’s File Cabinet

On Thanksgiving Day, 2004, Phil Arnold, beloved minister of the 84th Street church of Christ in Oklahoma City passed away after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. Following his passing, these articles and lessons were found on his computer, a small cross section of his entire work in the service of God. Phil’s soft hearted spirit will ever be a part of the lives of those who knew him and these lessons, a tribute to his life’s work, will hopefully benefit all who are seeking to find and grow strong in Christ Jesus our Lord!

By His Stripes We Are Healed: Isaiah 53

Sermon Outline by Phil T. Arnold

Text: 1 Pet 2:21-24 NKJV

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: {22} “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; {23} who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; {24} who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed.

Introduction
By His stripes we are healed. In this short phrase is summed up the whole Gospel and the greatness of God. For the greatness of God is revealed most powerfully in the atonement of our sins. The heart of the Gospel is Jesus’ substitutionary sacrifice.

1 Cor 15:3
For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the
This Gospel is presaged wonderfully in Isaiah 53.

Isaiah begins with the statement “Who has believed our report?” This story of atonement is so wonderful as to be unbelievable: God who is just and holy reclaims us, who are vile and sinful, for His own by taking on the form of man and offering himself up in the place of man. (Mat 20:28 NKJV) “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” That we might be made whole (2 Cor 5:21 NKJV) For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

This substitution in our place for our sakes when we did not deserve it proves to be a powerful force for our redemption not only in paying the price of our sins but in motivating us to be what we ought to be. As Peter says: (1 Pet 2:21-24 NKJV) For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: {22} “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; {23} who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; {24} who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed.
In Isaiah 53 where we learn first of the fact of His suffering, second of the world’s erroneous estimation of His suffering, third of the vicarious nature of His suffering, fourth of the atoning purpose of His suffering and finally of the blessed results of His suffering.

II. The Fact of His Suffering
All of you have considered the excruciating pain that Jesus suffered on the cross. This passage aptly describes all that and more. The words pile up. There are 20 words or phrases indicating the extent of His suffering: He was despised, rejected, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief (and how well He knew them). He has borne griefs, carried sorrows. He was stricken, smitten of God, afflicted, wounded bruised. He suffered chastisement, stripes, and the iniquity of us all was laid on Him. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, cut off, stricken, bruised, put to grief. He poured out His soul unto death.

There is a double meaning of these strong words of suffering 1) They obviously refer to the pain of His crucifixion. 2) They also refer to the inevitable and painful consequences of sin. We need to learn this lesson first before His atonement can become meaningful to us.

Rom 3:23 NKJV
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Rom 6:23 NKJV
For the wages of sin is death,

Our state is aptly characterized in this passage by the words transgressions, sin, and iniquities. These are strong words. We are not guilty merely of shortcomings or mild imperfections but of desperate wickedness. Indeed the punishment heaped on the Servant in our place would be excessive if we were guilty merely of shortcomings. But our sins are more than that. They are a violation of the essential nature of man’s relationship with the Almighty. (Isa 59:2 NKJV) But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.

How wicked is man? Hear God’s assessment.

Gen 6:5 NKJV
Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

Isa 64:6 NKJV
But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.

Jer 17:9 NKJV
“The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?

Thus, the punishment that God authorizes for sin is not spite, not just levying a legal claim but a natural consequence of our sin of separating ourselves from God, Who is the source of all light, life, reason and hope. It is these consequences that Jesus bore for us and suffered in our place. Thus, the cross becomes the symbol and fulfillment of the supremacy of the power of darkness brought on by this wholesale departure from God and giving over to wickedness. It reached its culmination metaphorically though not practically on the night that Jesus was arrested. (Luke 22:53 NKJV) “When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”

Imagine a world in which evil men got what they think that they want- to be left alone by God. Left to their own tender mercies (Prov 12:10 NKJV says the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel) and the dark imaginations of their heart unbridled by morality or reason or hope. Not even the worst criminals really want such a world. What they want is to live in a moral world but not to live by moral rules and thus to benefit by harming others who are themselves restrained from evil by morality. But I fear that we are beginning to see just such a world as law has become inimical to religion and violence and terror are let loose on the world.

The horror of evil embedded in the shooting of children by children, parental abuse of the innocent so horrible as to be nauseating, tortured self abuse in sexual relationships that are worse than what others would do in anger, drug induced paranoias that surpass our worst nightmares, and the general degradation of man to a merely physical resource to be used abused and used up like any other physical thing- the daily killing of the unborn by the thousands and prostitution of women by the millions. It was just these consequences of sin and separation from God that Jesus took on Himself for our sakes. And there is no describing the horror of being made sin for our sake or bearing the sins of the whole world especially for one who was pure and sinless Himself. The fastidious like my wife would suffer more in the slaughter house than I would. Imagine then the pristine pure creator taking to Himself the garbage of our lives. The cross itself is painful, but being pierced though with our sorrows was surely worse. This is the fact of His suffering. How do we understand it? There is in the passage a recognition that many didn’t understand it correctly.

IV An Erroneous Estimation of His Sufferings
Such suffering surely indicates a very bad person. So reasoned Job’s friends as they tried to consol him.

Job 11:6 NKJV
Know therefore that God exacts from you Less than your iniquity deserves.

So reasoned Jesus’ disciples when the saw the man born blind. John 9:1-2 NKJV
Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. {2} And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

And so reasoned men when they saw Jesus suffering. Isa 53:3-4 NKJV
He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. {4} Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted.

BUT WE WERE WRONG!
We thought it was His fault that He suffered but it was our fault and our suffering all along. Instead of looking to Him with wonder and gratitude we looked at Him as a pariah.

WE WERE WRONG!
Artists could not see his beauty and theologians could no more interpret His substitutionary sacrifice than they could understand Job’s suffering. Even today philosophers are unable to properly assess sufferings much less His atoning suffering. But despite philosophy’s judgement or lack thereof, His sufferings were not through His own fault and they were not meaningless. In fact His sufferings were the most significant event in human history and in your life and mine. For He suffered for me and for you.

V. Vicarious nature of His sufferings
His suffering was not His own it was ours. There are in the passage 11 statements of the vicarious nature of his sufferings.

1) He has borne our griefs. 2) He has carried our sorrow. 3) He was wounded for our transgressions. 4) He was bruised for our iniquities. 5) The chastisement of our peace was upon Him. 6) With His stripes we are healed. 7) For the transgressions of my people was He stricken. 8) The Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. 9) Thou shalt make His soul an offering for sin. 10) He shall bear their iniquities. 11) He bare the sins of the many.

Though He suffered and though He suffered for our sins He never sinned:

1 John 3:5 NKJV
And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.

2 Cor 5:21 NKJV
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Heb 4:15 NKJV
For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Thus He was the perfect sacrifice: a lamb without spot or blemish like the requirement of the old law. Lev 22:21 NKJV
‘And whoever offers a sacrifice of a peace offering to the LORD, to fulfill his vow, or a freewill offering from the cattle or the sheep, it must be perfect to be accepted; there shall be no defect in it. But much more than the old law.

1 Pet 1:18-19 NKJV
knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, {19} but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

These griefs He suffered were not his own, but He lifted them up off of us. He embraced them as His own, and carried them away personally, in His body, for our good not His own.

1 Pet 2:24 NKJV
who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed.

VI. The Atoning Purpose of His sufferings
But He didn’t just suffer with us. He suffered for us that we might not have to suffer. He took away our sins.

1 John 3:5 NKJV
And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.

His sufferings satisfied God’s legal requirements for sin. Isa 53:11 NKJV
He shall see the travail of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities.

The greatness of God is revealed in this monumental undertaking of carrying away all our sins. All the sins committed since the beginning of the world. How many lies? How many acts of meanness? How much injustice? How many murders? How loud the cacophony of the cries of pain caused by others if they were all added together? How high the pile of ill gotten gain over the centuries? How many tears? And how many pangs of conscience and sleepless nights racked with guilt with no way to find relief until God’s atoning work in Christ.

Thus atonement is a greater work than the destruction of the wicked by the flood. Greater even than the eternal punishment in the hereafter. Greater than the creation of the world in the first place. And greater that we may live there than the work of creating the New Jerusalem, that magnificent city He has prepared for us. How great thou art!

Taking away even one sin is no easy matter as we all know. Like Esau we’ve searched futilely for repentance with many a tear. Sin is a stain too deep for even the most modern of cleaners to remove. It is a burden too heavy for even the most powerful machinery to lift. It is a debt too great for even the greatest treasury to pay. It is an illness too malignant for even the most powerful medicines to cure. It is an obligation too great for even the most fervent religious practices to pay. Even the Old Law was unable to completely remove sin.

Heb 10:3-4 NKJV
But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. {4} For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.

And how many were the sacrifices that were futilely offered. On one occasion 1 Ki 8:63 NKJV:
And Solomon offered a sacrifice of peace offerings, which he offered to the LORD, twenty-two thousand bulls and one hundred and twenty thousand sheep. But even then not a single sin was forgiven. And these sacrifices had to be repeated over and over.

Heb 10:11 NKJV
And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.

But God had a plan- and it was effective. It accomplished the salvation of our souls by the atoning sacrifice of Jesus in the place of our sins.

Heb 10:12-13 NKJV
But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God.

Heb 10:14 NKJV
For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.

The greatness of God’s plan of salvation is further indicated by the fact that this subsitutionary and propitiary sacrifice of Jesus on our behalf is not a radical departure from His creative work but is instead foreshadowed in the rest of creation and is an extension of the moral order of His created world.
Substitutionary sacrifice is principle at the very heart of the natural world.

Life everywhere is fed by death
In earth and sea and sky;
And that a rose may breathe its breath
Something must die.

1 Cor 15:36-37 NKJV
Foolish one, what you sow is not made alive unless it dies. {37} And what you sow, you do not sow that body that shall be, but mere grain; perhaps wheat or some other grain.

John 12:24 NKJV
“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.”

And it is at the very heart of human society as well. The altruistic thread runs throughout man’s history and is one of its most ennobling and powerful forces. Maternal sacrifice is a parable. So is real sacrificial love. Love is in principle, vicarious and self sacrificing. What is love but identifying oneself with others so as to suffer their adversities and pains and to take on the burden of their faults. (1 Cor 13:5 NKJV) does not seek its own, (Phil 2:1-4 NKJV) Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, {2} fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. {3} Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. {4} Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

The law of sacrifice is the law of the home: there is no home without sacrifice. Whether rich or poor good parents give their children the very best thing they can- themselves.

The law of sacrifice is the law of society. There is no society of men without the willingness and the fact of service for others that is rendered despite no hope of being repaid. We recently celebrated memorial day to remind ourselves however fleetingly of the war dead who sacrificed that we might have freedom. (John 15:13 NKJV) “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

The suffering of the innocent for the guilty is one of life’s great mysteries. This too has become a parable “No good deed goes unpunished.” The innocent wife who suffers for here profligate husband, the honest business man who is taken advantage of , the merciful by passer who is robbed for his trouble. On and on the list goes. It is a mystery that we cannot solve outside of scripture that the good suffer for the sake of the wicked. (Eccl 8:14 NKJV) There is a vanity which occurs on earth, that there are just men to whom it happens according to the work of the wicked; again, there are wicked men to whom it happens according to the work of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity. But we may live with it even if we do not understand it in light of the Scripture’s teachings about atonement and eternal justice. (Rom 2:3-11 NKJV) {3} And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? {4} Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? {5} But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, {6} who “will render to each one according to his deeds”: {7} eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; {8} but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness; indignation and wrath, {9} tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; {10} but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. {11} For there is no partiality with God.

But suffering even when we are not guilty is more than something to be borne, it has value. (1 Pet 2:20 NKJV) For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.

1 Pet 3:17 NKJV
For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

1 Pet 4:16 NKJV
Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.

Col 1:24 NKJV
I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church,

Substitutionary suffering is the law of moral reclamation in the lives of men. Dr. Lyman Abbott the Superintendent of an alcohol withdrawal institution in NY said “Some men are driven here by their friends; and no such man is ever cured. No man has ever gone from here cured unless there was someone- a sister, a wife, a mother- who prayed for him, hoped for him and wept for him at home. The great redemptive power in life is the power of a suffering heart.”

This power of reclamation reached its pinnacle in the life and death of Jesus for whom these principles were after all and all along a type, an effort of creation to prepare us for the ultimate atonement of His death. The death of Christ is not only the central event of history it is also its most powerful. It is the climax of all feeble imitations of substitutionary sacrifice that had occurred in the world up to and even since that point and gives meaning to the lives of those who have given up their lives for others. For the results of His sacrifice are wonderful indeed.

VI. The Blessed Results of His sufferings
Peace – with God, that which passes all understanding (Isa 53:5 NKJV)The chastisement for our peace was upon Him ….

Health- well-being life abundant. Isa 53:5 - And by His stripes we are healed.
Satisfied (Isa 53:11 NKJV) He shall see the travail of His soul, and be satisfied.
Justify (Isa 53:11 NKJV) …..By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities.
Intercession (Isa 53:12 NKJV) ….. And made intercession for the transgressors.
How his suffering heals us: 1) justification 2) calls us to him 3) makes demands of us 4) Sets example for us 5) Demonstrates His love for us.

By His suffering we are at peace with God and we may enter into the healing that follows forgiveness. We may start afresh with the renewed motivation for goodness that characterizes the innocent.

There is an ethical force to vicarious suffering. The ultimate end of atonement is not merely waving away of the proper consequences but the restoration of proper character. The guilty past is forgiven not for the sake of escaping punishment alone but that a better future may be attained. Forgiveness aims not just at restoration of relationship or reputation but of heart and character as well.

Ethical teaching unless it is reinforced by a compelling motivation is useless to curb the excesses of the human heart. Christianity is the story of the cross not the sermon on the mount. Certainly it has the highest ethics but it also has the highest motivation it furnishes us with a virtue making power and adequate moral motive. (John 14:23-24 NKJV) Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. {24} “He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.
We need such enabling power as much as we need forgiveness for we are inherently weak and cannot save ourselves without His power. (Jer 17:9 NKJV) “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked;

Who can know it?
Jer 10:23 NKJV
O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.

Rom 5:6 NKJV
For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
The power of forgiveness is intimated in the Berenger’s Law so called for Senator Berenger through whose efforts it was instituted in France in 1891. First time offenders sentenced to a term of two years or less were put on probation with the stipulation that if they lived five years without a further offense they were pardoned of the first. During the first ten years of its operation it is estimated that the rate of second crimes fell from above 90% to less than ten percent. And this thorough the mere offering or parole. How much more powerful the moral force of subtitutionary sacrifice. In a recent movie Red Corner, an American named Jack Moore is arrested in China and accused of murder. He is assigned a defense lawyer but there is little hope that he will prove his innocence. He escapes to the American Embassy where the lawyer comes to see him and tearfully congratulates him on his escape. She leaves and the American counsel tells Jack that she will now suffer the punishment that he would have since he had escaped while paroled to her. He is so moved by her willingness to die for him that he leaves the embassy and returns to the custody of the Chinese and the trial that is stacked against him.

Though the atonement of the cross is much more efficacious than this pale imitation, the atonement of the cross does not free us of obligations but instead binds us more tightly than any other method God may have chosen to obedience and character building. Yes Jesus did it all- all that could be done both inside and outside the human heart but to suppose that His sacrifice frees us from the bonds of moral obligation is a compete misunderstanding of atonement and a travesty of the doctrine of Grace (Rom 3:31 NKJV) Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! (Rom 6:2 NKJV) How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?

The passage tells of this victory for Him and for Us
Isa 53:10-12 NKJV
Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand. {11} He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities. {12} Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors.

And Peter in one of my favorite passages because with it’s irony and satire it makes the same point of absolute and total victory.
Acts 2:24 NKJV
“whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.
Acts 2:32, 36-40 NKJV
“This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.’ {36} “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” {37} Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” {38} Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. {39} “For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” {40} And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.”