Newsletter: November 3, 2003 GODISFORUS.COM NEWSLETTER November 3, 2003 Volume I, Issue 5 Greetings to all! I hope this newsletter finds everyone standing firm in the grace of God! This is the fifth issue of our bi-weekly newsletter designed to bring encouragement for the Christian walk and witness and to help others better understand the website and how and it be used to evangelize the lost. Please feel free to forward any questions or comments you may have regarding the topics being discussed. You can view previous issues of the newsletter at this URL: http://www.godisforus.com/Archives.htm. OUR WALK AND WITNESS: In our last newsletter we learned from scripture that it is the washing and renewing work of the Holy Spirit that is the means by which sanctification is accomplished. I commented then that this is not however some mystical process that takes place in a mysterious way. There is another resource which is also an essential part of sanctification which the Holy Spirit will use in our lives to accomplish our sanctification. That resource is the written word of God. The new life which we have received through the Holy Spirit, we learn from Peter, was brought about by the Spirit of God through the written word of God: (1 Pet 1:22-25 NASB) Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, {23} for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and abiding word of God. {24} For, "ALL FLESH IS LIKE GRASS, AND ALL ITS GLORY LIKE THE FLOWER OF GRASS. THE GRASS WITHERS, AND THE FLOWER FALLS OFF, {25} BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ABIDES FOREVER." And this is the word which was preached to you. So we see that the new life which is given in Christ is the work of the Holy Spirit through the written word of God. Likewise, just as we have learned from scripture of the washing and renewing work of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5- 6), we also learn from scripture of the washing of the water of the Word of God: (Eph 5:25-27 NASB) Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her; {26} that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, {27} that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she should be holy and blameless. In the above verse we learn that Jesus gave Himself for His church to first redeem us and second to sanctify us. We also learn that this sanctifying work is a cleansing process which takes place as we are "washed" by the word of God. Here again, just as was the case in the new birth, we have the Spirit of God and the written word of God at work in the heart of the believer. We learn from the Apostle Paul that the "washing" process takes place as our minds and hearts are renewed by God's word. (Rom 12:1-2 NASB) I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. {2} And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. As we meditate on God's Word learning what is right and good in every sphere of life we can begin to cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit and experience true inner transformation as we become conformed to the image of Christ. Even in the Old Testament the Psalmist gives witness to the dynamic nature of the written word of God: (Psa 19:7-11 NASB) The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. {8} The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. {9} The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether. {10} They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. {11} Moreover, by them Thy servant is warned; In keeping them there is great reward. With these things in mind it becomes clear that if we wish to see God's will in the matter of sanctification become a reality in our lives we must make sure that we are diligently studying God's word on a daily basis. This of course is made very clear to us by both Paul and Peter: (2 Tim 2:15 NASB) Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth. (1 Pet 2:1-2 NASB) Therefore, putting aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, {2} like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation Jesus came that we might have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10). We can begin to enjoy this type of life as we cleanse and purify our lives from sin through sanctification and become more like Him. In closing lets consider the words of Jesus taking note of the unique dynamic revealed between the Spirit and the word in the giving of true life to mankind. (John 6:63 NASB) "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. THE WEBSITE: The key to the spiritual issues of life today is the Bible. Through the creation we can come to an understanding of the existence of God but only through direct revelation from God can we "fully" understand Him and His will for our lives. This direct revelation from God can only be found in the Bible. God has spoken to our world through the Prophets, the Apostles and through His Son Jesus Christ and He has seen fit to preserve and pass down this communication in written form in the pages of the Bible. Tragically, many in our day do not take the Bible seriously and are in fact woefully ignorant of its true nature and contents. Because of this the first topic in the Library, "God's Word the Bible" is designed to provide an in- depth presentation of this most important subject. It seems to me that before we can expect people to embrace the Bible as having authority over their lives relating to issues of both time and eternity we must be able to demonstrate to them that it is indeed the written "Word of God" to man. In this topic you will find a comprehensive explanation of why we believe the Bible to be God's Word which will strengthen your own faith and convictions in this area and give you the ability to share your faith and convictions with others more confidently. Let me encourage you to visit the introductory page of this topic to begin to learn more about its contents: http://godisforus.com/information/bible/intro/purpose.htm. However, please don't stop there but continue on to gain a fuller understanding of why we believe the Bible to be Gods' written word to this world today. Because God is For Us! Kevin McGill