The Scope of It All

When we read the epistles to the Romans and to the Ephesians carefully, we cannot but see the difference between where the Gospel places us on earth, and where knowledge of our position puts us. In Romans I am a justified man going on to glory, fulfilling (because walking is the Spirit) the righteousness of the law (Rom 8:4)—all that God had required of a man, magnified in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Hence such an one presents the body as a living sacrifice, and serves according to the gift given him of the Father, known by the measure of faith (Rom 12:3). As a believer, he is hated by the world (Jhn 15:18, 24). There is nothing of position in all this, though no one could walk in the truth of the mystery (concerning Christ and the Church - Eph 5:32—NC), if he had not all this. I am through grace as much an Ephesian saint as I am a Roman saint; but I must be the lesser, or I could not be the greater (Mat 23:12).

In Romans I am a delivered one on the earth, walking in the Life of the Lord Jesus (Col 3:4), by the Holy Spirit dwelling in me (Jhn 14:16; Rom 8:11; 1Co 3:16). In Ephesians I am a member of the Body of Christ, in union with Him who is the Head in heaven (Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 5:23) and a member of His Body set there where He is, by the same power that placed Him there (Eph 2:6). The power that positioned me there works in us here (Eph 3:20), and now I am united wih the exalted Man: and by His Life I grow into a manifestation of Him where He has been rejected.

The Body of the glorified man is down here on the earth is to “grow up unto Him in all things” (Eph 4:15), “till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Eph 4:13). Now we are not only opposed by the power of Amalek, who cut off the weak ones (Deu 25:18), but the whole subtlety of Satan is arrayed against us, in order to prevent our being in heavenly beauty down here (the devil can delay a believer’s growth in the faith in Christ, but never effect salvation, nor prohibit faith—NC). The Enemy cannot deprive us of our heavenly position, but he tries to prevent the manifestation of it from us.

This is the scope of the grace given to us in the whole, though we grow into it in parts (in position saints are everything Christ is - 1Jo 4:17, but are learning its application and fullness gradually—NC). The only way to grow is to be conscientiously true to what we so see. “He that hath, to him shall be given” (Mar 4:25). The more separate I am from the world (some separate themselves more than others—NC), and the less I am conformed to it, the less am I warped, and the better I can “prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Rom 12:2).

Every true heart knows its own world. My world may not be the world to you. Music is one man’s world; painting, another man’s world; politics another’s, riches another’s, his family another’s and so on. Whatever is most difficult to surrender is your world; (“surrender” - place after God—NC) and as you advance, according as you seek separation to the Father, you have to separate from what you are most bound by (“bound” worldliness that means too much to you—NC), for it is that which influences you the most. It may even be a paltry thing. Isaac was warped by his son’s deception. Peter wanted to stand well with those who “came from James” (Gal 2:11-14 - these were Judaizing Christians believing in Christ, but were zealous of the law - Act 21:20—NC).

The Lord give you to see the whole scope of His grace, and give you grace to lay aside every hindrance, dealing honestly and truly with the one next to you. Many occupy themselves with the branches instead of with the root. The root is the seat of the evil, and the Spirit of God always leads to it (to put it off at the source—NC).


—J B Stoney





MJS daily devotional excerpt for November 27

“The Lord Jesus Christ is the only object for faith, the only One that satisfies us, as indeed He is the Father’s Object; and if we have got but one mind with the Father about Him, our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.” If you are walking in the Spirit, the Lord Jesus is the Object before you; when you are walking in the flesh, yourself is your object.” William Kelly (1821-1906)
 
Hey netchaplain;

I have a question regarding The Scope of It All for all disciples of Christ. How would you use this teaching against our struggle with sin?

The reason I ask is because Christians can read the Bible yet forget what we learn.

Does this make sense?

God bless you, Bob, and Happy Thanksgiving.

Bob
 
I have a question regarding The Scope of It All for all disciples of Christ. How would you use this teaching against our struggle with sin?

The reason I ask is because Christians can read the Bible yet forget what we learn.
Our "wrestle" (Eph 6:12) with sin involves "putting of the old man" and "putting on the new man." God does the rest as we trust Him for everything needed to grow in our faith. One cannot grow in salvation because it doesn't admit in degrees, as one is either saved or not.

I believe Christians remember what they learn, and either apply it or not. To me, the article speaks of how God causes us to be like Christ (1Jo 4:17).

Not sure I could answer you in the best way! God bless Brother Bob!!
 
Our "wrestle" (Eph 6:12) with sin involves "putting of the old man" and "putting on the new man." God does the rest as we trust Him for everything needed to grow in our faith. One cannot grow in salvation because it doesn't admit in degrees, as one is either saved or
Could you explain what you mean by God does the rest?
The scripture that comes to mind is Philippians 2:12
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,...
We have work to do, the Holy Spirit will work thru us, but we must do our part to pick up our cross and crucify the flesh.

If I've misunderstood, please forgive me.
 
Could you explain what you mean by God does the rest? The scripture that comes to mind is Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,...
We have work to do, the Holy Spirit will work thru us, but we must do our part to pick up our cross and crucify the flesh. If I've misunderstood, please forgive me.

Hello Cocoa;

That's a great question! For personal reasons netchaplain hasn't been able to fellowship with us since December 30. Let's hope he is able to join us soon.

Meantime, let's us keep our brother in our prayers.

God bless you and thank you, Cocoa.

Bob
 
Cocoa,
If I may add my thoughts. Netchaplain said "God does the rest as we trust Him for everything needed to grow in our faith." We need work in order to grow in faith and God gives us work to do, not more than we can handle but often times it can make us rather uncomfortable but as we grow in our faith and trust in God we find we have grown to trust Him more. God gives us everything we need in order to grow in our faith and trust, sometimes through struggles and adversity, or leading us into His service in some form of ministry. For me personally, God showed me that my pastor had more on his plate than he should and that someone should offer to take on some of that burden, then God let me know that I was that someone. Now I teach the Sunday school/ bible study. Had God not directed me as He did, I would still just be sitting in the pew. God led me into His service to grow my faith. Hope this helps.
Dave.
 
Could you explain what you mean by God does the rest?
The scripture that comes to mind is Philippians 2:12
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,...
We have work to do, the Holy Spirit will work thru us, but we must do our part to pick up our cross and crucify the flesh.

If I've misunderstood, please forgive me.
The "work" is our gratitude to God for our salvation. There's nothing we can do for salvation for it's a gift that cannot be earned. Everything we do now is not for salvation but because of salvation! Everything we do for God always starts after being saved. Like your reply!
 
Cocoa,
If I may add my thoughts. Netchaplain said "God does the rest as we trust Him for everything needed to grow in our faith." We need work in order to grow in faith and God gives us work to do, not more than we can handle but often times it can make us rather uncomfortable but as we grow in our faith and trust in God we find we have grown to trust Him more. God gives us everything we need in order to grow in our faith and trust, sometimes through struggles and adversity, or leading us into His service in some form of ministry. For me personally, God showed me that my pastor had more on his plate than he should and that someone should offer to take on some of that burden, then God let me know that I was that someone. Now I teach the Sunday school/ bible study. Had God not directed me as He did, I would still just be sitting in the pew. God led me into His service to grow my faith. Hope this helps.
Dave.
Everything we do now is not for salvation, it's a gift. Now we work, not for salvation but because of salvation! Nice reply, thanks for it!!
 
Good morning, netchaplain;

Please explain in your opening thread, "the difference between where the Gospel places us on earth, and where knowledge of our position puts us."

Is there a difference between
"where the Gospel places us" and "knowledge of our position?"


At first reading it sounds the same.
 
The "work" is our gratitude to God for our salvation. There's nothing we can do for salvation for it's a gift that cannot be earned. Everything we do now is not for salvation but because of salvation! Everything we do for God always starts after being saved. Like your reply!
Yes, I agree, salvation, by God's grace, is a gift. "Work" is more than simply believing but the sign of a living faith. Faith is an action word-James 2.

Nice to meet you, Netchaplain ☺️
 
Yes, I agree, salvation, by God's grace, is a gift. "Work" is more than simply believing but the sign of a living faith. Faith is an action word-James 2.

Nice to meet you, Netchaplain ☺️
Your right, "work" is only done only by faith! Nice to meet you too!!
 
Good morning, netchaplain;

Please explain in your opening thread, "the difference between where the Gospel places us on earth, and where knowledge of our position puts us."

Is there a difference between
"where the Gospel places us" and "knowledge of our position?"


At first reading it sounds the same.
"the Gospel places us on earth," that is, that the Gospel speaks of what Christ did on the earth, and what He does in heaven; the knowledge of our position is only in Christ who is in heaven. All we did on the earth comes from our place in heaven. On the earth we just speak of Christ, but we will not see Him until we have our new bodies in heaven.
 
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