A Purpose For Every Trial

Someone wrote to me recently and asked, “What was Paul’s thorn in the flesh?” I replied, “I do not know, but it really does not matter WHAT it was; the important thing is WHO gave it and WHY He gave it.”

The Heavenly Father gave the thorn, and it was given for Paul’s spiritual good and well-being. The Lord’s answer to Paul’s prayer that the thorn be removed was satisfactory to Paul. “MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR THEE!”

Our Lord has a purpose for ever trial I encounter, and He will fulfill that purpose for my good and His glory. I believe I have learned this: His grace, His gospel, and His strength are more manifest, more glorified, and more appreciated in my weakness and during trial. When I have nothing to SAY, nothing to CONTRIBUTE, nothing in which to find COMFORT or JOY, I will look more to Him and find all I need. Then, if infirmities and trials serve to make me look more to my Lord and have less confidence in and concern for this flesh, then I rejoice in infirmities! Pastor Henry T. Mahan (1992)

“Bringing Many Sons Unto Glory” Hebrews 2:10

The ultimate destination of God’s elect is glory, eternal glory! Not one of the chosen shall fail to attain it. Not one true believer in the Lord Jesus Christ shall fail to obtain perfect, complete salvation at the right hand of the Majesty on high. This glory, which is the consummate perfection of eternal life, is the gift of God. “The LORD will give grace and glory” (Psalm 84:11). All to whom he gives grace, to them he shall also give glory. As he does not give grace by degrees, neither will he give glory by degrees.

It is written in the Scriptures that we who believe are “joint-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17). That means, all that Christ has obtained as the reward of his obedience to God as our Mediator, we shall possess with him. All spiritual blessings belong to God’s elect forever. The very glory that God the Father gave his Son, the God-man, upon his return to heaven, Christ has given to us. “The glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one” (John 17:22). Our salvation will be finished when God has brought us unto and given us the possession of glory.

Pastor Don Fortner

MISTAKEN OR SATANIC?

Is doctrine that is contrary to the Gospel of grace mistaken or Satanic? Is it misinformed or the Devil’s deception? Is it not full light, or is it darkness? Paul spoke of Satan’s ministers as angels of light and ministers of righteousness (II Cor. 11:13-15). The Lord spoke of the teaching of Jezebel as the depths of Satan (Rev. 2:24). He spoke of those in the church at Philadelphia who are “them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not” (Rev. 3:9). Clearly, that which is contrary to the Gospel is Satanic. As I think of men and women all over the world, using the name of Christ in their “worship services”, I feel both sad and angry - sad that they are so deceived; angry at the wickedness of the deception. But not only do I feel sad and angry, I feel determined by the grace of God to preach the Gospel in such a way that the Gospel is seen for what it is, and that which is contrary is seen for what it is, and men will call upon the name of the Lord. Pastor Todd Nibert

HOW IS SALVATION RECEIVED?

“Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed” (Rom. 4:16).

Most everyone would agree that there is immense need of salvation in the soul of all people. Just look around, there are churches and different denominations of religion everywhere. Surely, people are saying there is a necessity of salvation. The scriptures certainly make it plain that there is a need of salvation. For we read, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). The difference among men is, how is salvation received and who accomplished it? Some say it is received and accomplished by works, efforts and ceremony or being a member of a certain church. However, the scriptures plainly teach that salvation (the Lord Jesus Christ) is received by faith, and accomplished by Christ. It was said of Abraham, “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God and being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform” (Rom.4:20-21). God in His infinite wisdom has sovereignly chosen faith as the method and means to receive His salvation (Rom.5:1). God reveals to us at least two reasons why salvation is received by believing and not by doing.

1). “That it might be by grace.”

Grace and works are opposites and pull apart. Grace and faith are cooperative and pull together (Rom.11:6). Faith is the fruit of the sovereign grace of God given to the sinners in regeneration (1John 5:1; Eph.2:8-9). Faith traces its very existence, cause, reason and purpose to be all of grace (1Cor.15:10). True saving faith when it is given to the sinners quickly recognizes that it is the gift of God and glorifies Him alone (Rom. 4:20-21; Phil.1:29).

2). “To the end the promise might be sure to all the seed.”