There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased. I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:6-8

A New Commandment

“A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another; as I have loved you” (John 13:34).

This is certainly no new commandment in the sense that it is only at this time given, for we find it in the law of Moses (Lev. 19:18); and John said that we have it from the beginning (2 John. 1: 5). Why, then, is it called a new commandment?

It is called new in that it is ALWAYS NEW in the excellency of it – THE ROYAL LAW OF THE KING! It is called new because it is set forth in a new argument and example – the love of our Lord Jesus for us. “LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS I HAVE LOVED YOU!”

Christ loves all His own, whether male or female, rich or poor, old or young, weak or strong, greater or lesser, and not in the word only but in deed and truth. Let us who are sons of God learn to love as our Master, forgiving and forbearing one another, preferring one another, and love freely and continuously, notwithstanding weaknesses and imperfections. Pastor Henry T. Mahan (bulletin article 1991)

THE BATTLE IS NOT YOURS BUT GOD’S

“Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.”

(2 Chronicles 20:15)

This is what the Lord says to all of His people about every one of our enemies: “The battle is not yours, but God’s!” What comfort that brings to the hearts of God’s people. The Captain of our salvation, the Mighty Conqueror, has taken it upon Himself to defeat every enemy of His people, and He has done it.

The battle against sin is not ours, but God’s. Sin is defeated. “But now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself” (Heb. 9:26)

The battle against the law is not ours, but God’s. The law cannot condemn God’s people. “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross” (Col. 2:14)

The battle against Satan is not ours, but God’s. Satan’s head has been crushed. “The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.” (Rom. 16:20)

The battle against the world is not ours, but God’s. “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

The battle against death is not ours, but God’s. Death cannot harm God’s elect. “But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” (II Tim. 1:10) “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” (I Cor. 15:26)

The message of scripture to sinners is quit your fighting and rest in Christ the Mighty Conqueror (Rev. 6:2). Pastor Frank Tate

PERSEVERANCE AND PRESERVATION

“And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me” (Jer. 32:40).

Believers do continue to abide faithful to the gospel (1 John 2:28), to the Lord Jesus and to the work of the ministry where the Lord has placed them, because they love the Lord Jesus Christ (1Cor. 13:13) and they are kept by His power (1Peter 1:5).

There are two sides to this blessed truth, like that of faith and repentance where you find one you find the other. Along with perseverance of the saints, we see the dynamic, sovereign and vigorous power of God’s keeping grace, we call that preservation. God keeps them sealed until the day of final glory (Eph. 1:13-14). His sheep shall never perish (John 10:27-30).

CONTENDERS OR PRETENDERS?

Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. (Jude 1:3).