A Measure of Ambiguity

'Should we support our president?', we wonder. I think we should. 'Should we support our men and women in the military?' By all means. But then it's asked...'what about the ethics of invading Iraq?' should we? The fact is, I don't know that any one of us has enough accurate information to make that decision in a spirit that can be all together confident of its rightness. So what do we do? We pray for our leaders, we support our leaders, but admittedly some measure of hestitation always accompanies our conclusions given the fact that political leaders have misled us in the past. Given the fact that the sources of information through which things come to us are often shaped and clouded by those who give it to us. And so the questions linger, 'Is this the right thing to do? Is this the right time to do it?' Given the limitations of our knowledge, and our awareness of the inherent weakness of all human beings, regardless of political party, we always feel, beloved, a measure of ambiguity regarding such matters, don't we? Given our limitations then, a lack of ambiguity does not reflect intelligence. A lack of ambiguity reflects arrogance.

-A. G. Azurdia, from sermon 'Lethal judgment pt.1'

Problems with Premillenialism

Why does the Amillennialist reject the Premillennial interpretation of Scripture? Sam Storms provides for us some weighty exegetical observations in favor of the view commonly (and misleadingly) called 'Amillenialism'. For your consideration...
"Problems with Premillenialism"

A Winter's Pursuing

A Winter's Pursuing Dec, 2009

Oats and seeds and honeybees'

fruits of labor in my bowl.

Drink Kava tea while windy breeze

blows outside my window.

It's mid December and I've frozen toes.

It's too cold for roofing.

O for wood stoves and heartwarming prose

in such a winter's pursuing.

God of embers, kindle within

more love to your dear Son.

Let not my heart get frosty cold

as December's not half past done.

Workmen Found Wanting

"Upright and faithful Christians ever think they are not faithful, nor believe as they ought; and therefore they constantly strive, wrestle, and are diligent to keep and to increase faith, as good workmen always see that something is wanting in their workmanship. But the botchers think that nothing is wanting in what they do, but that everything is well and complete. Like as the Jews conceive they have the ten commandments at their fingers end, whereas, in truth, they neither learn nor regard them." Martin Luther, Table-Talk Ch.295

His love: Like Himself, Like the Sun

"The love of God is like himself. His love is the same for all he has chosen to love. His love is constant and not capable of being increased or diminished. Our love is like ourselves, never the same, but increasing or decreasing, growing or declining. God's love is like the sun, always the same in its light, though a cloud may sometimes hide it. Our love is like the moon. Sometimes it is full. Sometimes it is only a thin crescent." John Owen, Communion with God pp.23-24

The Immanuel Principal

Throughout the biblical record of God's administration of the covenant, a single phrase recurs as the summation of the covenant relationship: "I shall be your God, and you shall be my people." The constant repetition of this phrase or its equivalent indicates the unity of God's covenant. This phrase may be designated as the "Immanuel principal" of the covenant. The heart of the covenant is the declaration that "God is with us."

O Palmer Robertson, The Christ of the Covenants

Living and Trading Above

“As birds that light upon the ground to pick up a little seed, immediately fly up to heaven again; so the redeemed of the Lord use the world, and take the lawful comforts of it, but their hearts are presently off these things, and they ascend to heaven. They live here, and trade above.”
Thomas Watson, A Body of Divinity IV.8

All Things are Yours... Including Death

ALL THINGS ARE YOURS, INCLUDING DEATH

“Neither death nor life… will able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 8:38-39). In fact, not only can death not separate us from the love of God, it is, along with every other hardship, a gospel gift. Listen to the way Paul says it in 1 Corinthians 3:21-23. “Let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas of the world or life or death or the present of the future- all are yours, and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.” All things are yours- including death! Death is included in the treasure chest of gifts from God through the gospel. So in one text Paul says that we are “more than conquerors” in death. And in another text Paul says that all things are ours, including death. I take him to mean that because of the truths of Romans 8:28 and 8:32 God takes every hardship and makes it serve us, including death. Death is “ours”- our servant. The fact that we are “more than conquerors” means that death doesn’t just lie dead at our feet after the battle- it is taken captive and made to serve us.
And how does death serve us? How does the blood-bought servitude of death bless the children of God? Paul answers, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil 1:21) Why is dying gain? He answers two verses later: “My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.” Being with Christ after death is “far better” than staying on earth. That is why we are more than conquerors when death seems to triumph. It becomes a door to better fellowship with Christ.

-John Piper, God is the Gospel pp125-126

Stolen Moments in Autumn... the Kleins

A video I made of the Klein life we live shot on my new digital harenizumi.

enjoy.

Why are Creeds and Confessions Necessary?

"Why are Creeds and Confessions necessary, and how have they been produced?

The Scriptures of the Old and New Testament having been given by inspiration of God, are for man in his present state the only and the all-sufficient rule of faith and practice. This divine word, therefore, is the only standard of doctrine which has any intrinsic authority binding the consciences of men. All other standards are of value or authority only as they teach what the Scriptures teach.But it is the inalienable duty and necessity of men to arrive at the meaning of the Scriptures in the use of their natural faculties, and by the ordinary instruments of interpretation. Since all truth is self-consistent in all its parts, and since the human reason always instinctively strives to reduce all the elements of knowledge with which it grapples to logical unity and consistency, it follows that men must more or less formally construct a system of faith out of the materials presented in the Scriptures. Every student of the Bible necessarily does this in the very process of understanding and digesting its teaching, and all such students make it manifest that they have found, in one way or another, a system of faith as complete as for him has been possible, by the very language he uses in prayer, praise, and ordinary religious discourse. If men refuse the assistance afforded by the statements of doctrine slowly elaborated and defined by the church, they must severally make out their own creed by their own unaided wisdom. The real question between the church and the impugners of human creeds, is not, as the latter often pretend, between the word of God and the creed of man, but between the tried and proved faith of the collective body of God's people, and the private judgment and the unassisted wisdom of the individual objector. As it would have been anticipated, it is a matter of fact that the church has advanced very gradually in this work of accurately interpreting Scripture, and defining the great doctrines which compose the system of truths it reveals. The attention of the church has been especially directed to the study of one doctrine in one age, and of another doctrine in a subsequent age. And as she has gradually advanced in the clear discrimination of gospel truth, she has at different periods set down an accurate statement of the results of her new attainments in a creed, or Confession of Faith, for the purpose of preservation and of popular instruction, of discriminating and defending the truth from the perversion of heretics and the attacks of infidels, and of affording a common bond of faith and rule of teaching and discipline."

A.A. Hodge's Outlines of Theology

A Public Apology

It has been brought to my attention that I have hurt a brother in Christ. It was pointed out to me that my exhorting Abraham Juliot publically to "consider his ways and humble himself under the mighty hand of God that He may exalt him in due time" seems to imply that I was rebuking Abe for a sinful prideful heart. This would be wrong to do because I never personally came to him with a concern of his pridefulness. It was never my intention to bring that upon him. For this, I am very sorry.
I use this verse in 1 Pet 5 to constantly exhort myself to keep my own soul humbled under His mighty hand because this is where His gracious blessings reside. This exhortation is a daily one for all Christians. (See context of 1 Pet 5)
I do, however, see that it is very possible to misunderstand what I meant by using that scripture. My lack of clarity is shameful and a brother has been hurt by it.
Even though I am seriously concerned about Abraham's recent doctrinal convictions, I have absolutely no reason to believe that he arrived at them because of pride.
Please accept my apology.

Humbled under His mighty hand,
Joshua

Homosexuality and the Bible by Dr. Robert Gagnon

A few weekends ago I had the privilege of attending a weekend seminar on Homosexuality and the Bible by Dr. Robert Gagnon of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Dr. Gagnon was called upon to speak on this topic because our state recently had a vote on the marriage referendum.
My pastor, Russell Hamilton, read his book on the subject last year and said it was the best one on the subject he’d found. The lectures were incredibly helpful. He presented the clear Bible teaching that marriage is designed as between one man and one woman and that homosexual behavior is an inordinate affection and is sinful. He dealt with major objections gracefully. The audience was split about 50/50 in regards to support of Gagnon’s presentation. Needless, to say there were some pretty heated objections directed at him. He handled the situation with grace and patience. Gagnon, the second day shared some more pastoral advice. This was no rah-rah fundamentalist party. It was a precise, gracious, and confident exposition of God’s thoughts about homosexuality revealed to us in His Sacred Word. I highly recommend Dr. Gagnon’s teaching on this topic.

The most helpful thing to me was the answer to the objection raised that people have ‘biological causation’ (they are just born with it) so therefore it can’t be condemned as sin. This erroneous idea has given birth to the idea that the right for two people of the same sex to be married is a civil right. They are comparing sexual preference to a person’s race. “They can’t help it.” The answer he gave was extremely helpful. He pointed out that even secular, homosexual supporting scientists have concluded that every behavior is biologically caused and therefore is no determiner of the morality of it. I was born a liar, but that doesn’t make it right. It is indisputable that some people are going to have a greater tendency to have homosexual desires than others. This does not negate the sinfulness of it. Some people have inherited their father’s genetic traits of anger. They still have a responsibility to control their temper.

The other observation was that he was lumping incest, polyamory (multiple partners), and homosexuality in one category. He said, “On what basis can you say that adult, consenting, monogamous homosexual relationship is appropriate but adult consenting monogamous incest or polyamory is to be condemned?” At this point, a man identifying himself as homosexual stood up and expressed his disgust that Dr. Gagnon would compare his sexual behavior to incest or polyamory. He basically walked into a trap. He tried to say those behaviors were bad based upon his personal preference. This is no way to determine truth. If we don’t have the Bible’s definition of marriage, then whatever anyone can conceive of (as long as it is adult, consenting, and monogamous) is okay. The objector had no answer.

I recommend his resources. His website is here.

Follow Up on Abraham Juliot

A previous post of mine concerning Abraham Juliot and Hyper-Calvinism has caused a small stir amongst mutual friends. My intention in the post was not so much to provide a polemic writing but rather to state a disagreement and warning. I felt that something needed to be said as these teachings greatly undermine the Reformed understanding of scripture in which our circle of friends has found a home. The warning was more or less to say, “To all those concerned: Please be aware that the orthodox Reformed faith is in serious opposition to these teachings. Do not be confused about what is being said. The Reformed community as a whole warns about these things as being dangerous.” The public withdrawal of my support of Abraham was necessary.
I have since had conversation with this brother. He feels that the links I provided misrepresent what he personally believes. Surely, this is most unfortunate. I would remind my readers that Abraham’s writings can be found here. (Specifically the post entitled ‘6 Reasons Why I am Not a 5 Point Calvinist’ will show these views.) The links to articles that I gave were only intended as a resource of information explaining the error of those who embrace hyper-calvinistic beliefs and the dangers of holding them. I am in the process of writing a response specifically addressing Abe’s words. In the mean time, I am still concerned with His views of eternal justification, anti-duty faith, denial of what is commonly called ‘the general call’ of the gospel, and what I see as minimizing the responsibility of man.
My previous post stands as stated.

Grace and Peace,
Joshua

M'Cheyne on Open Communion

A Defense of Open Communion by Robert Murray M'Cheyne
...
I believe it to be the mind of Christ, that all who are vitally united to Him, should love one another, exhort one another daily, communicate freely of their substance to one another when poor, pray with and for one another, and sit down together at the Lord’s Table. Each of these positions may be proved by the Word of God. It is quite true that we may be frequently deceived in deciding upon the real godliness of those with whom we are brought into contact. The apostles themselves were deceived, and we must not expect to do the work of the ministry with fewer difficulties than they had to encounter. Still I have no doubt from Scripture that, where we have good reason for regarding a man as a child of God, we are permitted and commanded to treat him as a brother; and, as the most sacred pledge of heavenly friendship, to sit down freely at the table of our common Lord, to eat bread and drink wine together in remembrance of Christ.
The reason of this rule is plain. If we have solid ground to believe that a fellow sinner has been, by the Holy Spirit, grafted into the true vine, then we have ground to believe that we are vitally united to one another for eternity. The same blood has washed us, the same Spirit has quickened us, we lean upon the same pierced breast, we love the same law, we are guided by the same sleepless eye, we are to stand at the right hand of the same throne, we shall blend our voices eternally in singing the same song: “Worthy is the Lamb!” Is it not reasonable, then, that we should own one another on earth as fellow travelers to our Father’s house, and fellow heirs of the incorruptible crown? Upon this I have always acted, both in sitting down at the Lord’s Table and in admitting others to that blessed privilege.
I was once permitted to unite in celebrating the Lord’s Supper in an upper room in Jerusalem. There were fourteen present, the most of whom, I had good reason to believe, knew and loved the Lord Jesus Christ. Several were godly Episcopalians, two were converted Jews, and one a Christian from Nazareth, converted under the American missionaries. The bread and wine were dispensed in the Episcopal manner, and most were kneeling as they received them. Perhaps your correspondents would have shrunk back with horror, and called this the confusion of Babel. We felt it to be sweet fellowship with Christ and with the brethren; and as we left the upper room, and looked out upon the Mount of Olives, we remembered with calm joy the prayer of our Lord that ascended from one of its shady ravines, after the first Lord’s Supper: “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe in me through their word, that they all may be ONE.”
The Table of Christ is a family table spread in this wilderness, and none of the true children should be absent from it, or be separated while sitting at it. We are told of Rowland Hill that, upon one occasion, when he had preached in a chapel where none but baptized adults were admitted to the sacrament, he wished to have communicated with them, but was told respectfully,“ You cannot sit down at our table.” He only calmly replied, “I thought it was the Lord’s Table.”
The early Reformers held the same view. Calvin wrote to Cranmer that he would cross ten seas to bring it about. Baxter, Owen, and Howe, in a later generation, pleaded for it; and the Westminster Divines laid down the same principle in few but solemn words: “Saints, by profession, are bound to maintain an holy fellowship and communion in the worship of God—which communion, as God offereth opportunity, is to be extended unto all those who in every place call upon the name of the Lord Jesus.” These words, embodied in our standards, show clearly that the views maintained above are the very principles of the Church of Scotland.

from "Communion with Brethren of Other Denominations" in Bonar, Andrew A., Memoirs of McCheyne, (Escondido, CA: Ephesians Four Group) 1999.

Eden Videos

Russell Hamilton "Who Forgives Sin?"

This is our church.
October 25, 2009 our pastor preached a wonderful sermon on Mk 2:1-12
I considered it a birthday gift.
Russell Hamilton "Who Forgives Sins?"

Milk and Not Meat

"I have fed you with milk and not with meat..."

The same truth in one form is milk, in another form strong meat. “Christ,” says Calvin, “is milk for babes, and strong meat for men.” Every doctrine which can be taught to theologians, is taught to children. We teach a child that God is a Spirit, every where present and knowing all things; and he understands it. We tell him that Christ is God and man in two distinct natures and one person for ever. This to the child is milk, but it contains food for angels. The truth expressed in these propositions may be expanded indefinitely, and furnish nourishment for the highest intellects to eternity. The difference between milk and strong meat, according to this view, is simply the difference between the more or less perfect development of the things taught. This view is confirmed by those passages in which the same distinction is made. Thus in Heb_5:11-14, the apostle speaks of his readers as having need of milk and not of strong meat. The reference is there to the distinction between the simple doctrine of the priesthood of Christ and the full development of that doctrine. The important truth is that there are not two sets of doctrine, a higher and a lower form of faith, one for the learned and the other for the unlearned; there is no part of the gospel which we are authorized to keep back from the people. Every thing which God has revealed is to be taught to every one just so fast and so far as he has the capacity to receive it.

CHARLES HODGE on 1 Cor 3:2

Abraham Juliot... A Retraction of Support

It brings me great sorrow to announce that I can no longer in good conscience support the writings of Abraham Juliot. He has begun propagating teachings that seem, in my judgment, worthy of caution. Many within the orthodox reformed faith warn of these teachings. I share this concern. He has replied here.

Things Worth Fighting For

“Clear cut definition of terms in religious matters, bold facing of the logical implications of religious views, is by many persons regarded as an impious proceeding. May it not discourage contribution to mission boards? May it not hinder the progress of consolidation, and produce a poor showing in columns of Church statistics? But with such persons we cannot possibly bring ourselves to agree. Light may seem at times to be an impertinent intruder, but it is always beneficial in the end. The type of religion which rejoices in the pious sound of traditional phrases, regardless of their meanings, or shrinks from "controversial" matters, will never stand amid the shocks of life. In the sphere of religion, as in other spheres, the things about which men are agreed are apt to be the things that are least worth holding; the really important things are the things about which men will fight." J. Gresham Machen, Christianity and Liberalism

Honey Requires the Honeycomb

"As honey requires honeycomb, so devotion needs to be structured by a learned and orthodox mind. As honeycomb needs to be filled, so ideas of the mind must also warm the heart and lead to activity in the world." Jean Gerson (1363-1429), On Mystical Theology

The Well is Deep

Study hard, for the well is deep, and our brains are shallow...
R. Baxter "the Reformed Pastor"

Truth Loves Light

All our teaching must be as plain and simple as possible. This doth suit a teacher's ends. He that would be understood must speak to the capacity of his hearers. Truth loves light, and is most beautiful when most naked.
R. Baxter "the Reformed Pastor"

Reverence

Reverence is that affection of the soul which proceedeth from deep apprehensions of God and indicateth a mind much conversant with him.
R. Baxter "the Reformed Pastor"

New Pics!

To see more pics from our late summer, click here. Featuring Eden, chicken processing (total for the day approx 210 birds), friends in Flordia, and vegetable harvest!

More Sorrow More Pleasure

Though it is a deep sorrow for sin that God requires as necessary to salvation, yet the very nature of it necessarily implies delight. Repentance of sin is a sorrow arising from the sight of God's excellency and mercy, but the apprehension of excellency or mercy must necessarily and unavoidably beget pleasure in the mind of the beholder... How much soever of a paradox it may seem, it is true that repentance is a sweet sorrow, so that the more of this sorrow, the more the pleasure.
Johnathan Edwards "The Pleasantness of Religion"

Schaff, the Church, and Jesus Christ

"Paul defines the church as the body of Jesus Christ. He thus represents it as an organic living system of various members, powers, and functions, and at the same time as the abode of Christ and the organ of his redeeming and sanctifying influence upon the world. Christ is, in one view, the ruling head, in another the all-pervading soul, of this body. Christ without the church were a head without a body, a fountain without a stream, a king without subjects, a captain without soldiers, a bridegroom without a bride. The church without Christ were a body without soul or spirit — a lifeless corpse. The church lives only as Christ lives and moves and works in her. At every moment of her existence she is dependent on him, as the body on the soul, or the branches on the vine."

Philip Schaff, HISTORY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH Ch 10.65

Gill on "The Almost Christian"

"Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." Acts 26:28

"An almost Christian is one that has much light and knowledge, but no grace; he may know something of himself and of sin, of its being a violation of the law of God, and of the bad consequences of it, but has not true repentance for it; he may know much of Christ in a speculative way, concerning his person and offices, as the devils themselves do, and of the good things which come by him, as peace, pardon, righteousness, and salvation; but has no application of these things to himself; he may have a large notional knowledge of the doctrines of the Gospel, but has no experience of the power, sweetness, and comfort of them in his own soul; all his knowledge is unsanctified, and without practice: he is one that has a taste of divine things, but has not the truth of them; he may taste of the heavenly gift, of the good word of God, and of the powers of the world to come; yet it is but a taste, a superficial one, which he has; he does not savour and relish these things, nor is he nourished by them: he has a great deal of faith in the historical way, and sometimes a bold confidence and assurance of everlasting happiness; but has not faith of the right kind, which is spiritual and special, which is the faith of God's elect, the gift of God, and the operation of his Spirit; by which the soul beholds the glory, fulness, and suitableness of Christ, under a sense of need, and goes forth to him, renouncing everything of self, and lays hold upon him, and trusts in him for salvation; and which works by love to Christ and his people, and has with it the fruits of righteousness: he may express a great deal of flashy affectation to the word, and the ministers of it, for a while, but has nothing solid and substantial in him; he may partake of the Holy Ghost, of his gifts largely, but not of special and internal grace; and indeed he can only be an almost Christian, that becomes one merely through the persuasion of men: it is one part of the Gospel ministry to persuade men, but this of itself is ineffectual; a real Christian is made so by the power of divine grace. Agrippa was only persuaded, and but almost persuaded by the apostle to be a Christian, but not by the Lord, nor altogether, who persuades Japheth to dwell in the tents of Shem."

John Gill, Commentary

Video Camera Trigger Happy Parents!!!

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The Psalms are for Christians!

"It hath been pretended, that the language and manner of these Psalms are not suited to the spiritual nature of our Gospel-worship. That, however, may as well be urged against the reading of them, as against the singing of them: nay, against the reading of a great part of the Old Testament in our Christian worship. It is certain, many passages in the Book of Psalms, or of other Scripture songs, are expressive of the exercises of faith, repentance, love, or the like graces, which still remain of the same form as under the Old Testament. The predictions are either accomplished, and so may be sung to the honour of God's mercy and faithfulness; or, if not accomplished, may be sung in the hopes that God will accomplish them in his time. The history of what God did for his Jewish servants and church, may be sung with admiration of his love, wisdom, power, and grace therein manifested. It is further to be considered, that much of what related to David, or the Jewish church, was typical of the character and concerns of Jesus Christ, and of the Gospel church; and so ought to be sung with a special application thereto." John Brown, Preface to The Psalms of David in Metre

Henry on Perpetual Peace

"Those that trust in God must have their minds stayed upon him, must trust him at all times, under all events, must firmly and faithfully adhere to him, with an entire satisfaction in him; and such as do so God will keep in perpetual peace, and that peace shall keep them."

M. Henry commentary on Isa 26:3

Eden Growing up!!!

Setting Forth the Love of Jesus

"O you who have found Jesus Christ assisting you, and supporting you under all the temptations of this life, will you forsake him? Have you not found him a gracious master? Is he not the chiefest of ten thousand, and altogether lovely? Now you see a form and comeliness in Christ, which you never saw before. O! how do you and I wish we had known Jesus sooner, and that we had more of his love; it is condescending love, it is amazing, it is forgiving love, it is dying love, it is exalted and interceding love, and it is glorified love. Methinks when I am talking of the love of Jesus Christ, who loved me before I love him; he saw us polluted in blood, full of sores, a slave to sin, to death and hell, running to destruction, then he passed by me, and said unto my soul, "Live;" he snatched me as a brand plucked from the burning. It was love that saved me, it was all of the free grace of God, and that only. The little experience I have had of this love, makes me amazed at the condescension, the love, and mercifulness of the blessed Jesus, that he should have mercy upon such a wretch. O, my brethren, the kingdom of God is within me, and this fills me so full of love, that I would not be in my natural state again, not for millions of millions of worlds; I long to be with Jesus, to live with the Lord that bought me, to live forever with the Lamb that was slain, and to sing Hallelujah's unto him. Eternity itself will be too short to set forth the love of the Lord Jesus Christ. I cannot, indeed I cannot forbear speaking again, and again, and again, of the Lord Jesus." - George Whitefield 'Sermon 19: Christ the Support of the Tempted'

Edwards on Grace and Glory

"Grace is but glory begun, and glory is but grace perfected." - J. Edwards

Defining "Expository Preaching"

“Expository preaching means making God’s Word plain. In an expository sermon the preacher simply tries to explain what the Bible teaches. The main points of his sermon are the points made by a particular text in the Bible. The minister not only begins with Scripture, but also allows the Scripture to establish the context and content for his entire sermon. The way he decides what to say is by studying what the Bible has to say, so that the Scripture itself sets the agenda for his interpretation and application.
This kind of preaching is most helpfully done when a minister follows the logic of the Scriptures, systematically preaching chapter by chapter and verse by verse through entire books of the Bible. This helps ensure that a congregation hears what God wants them to hear, and not simply what their minister thinks they ought to hear.
But expository preaching is not so much a method as it is a mind-set. A minister who sees himself as an expositor knows that he is not the master of the Word, but its servant. He has no other ambition than to preach what the Scriptures actually teach. His aim is to be faithful to God’s word so that his people can hear God’s voice. He himself is only God’s mouthpiece, speaking God’s message into the ears of God’s people, and thus into their minds and hearts. To that end, he carefully works his way through the Scriptures, reading, explaining, and applying them to his congregation. On occasion he may find it necessary to address some pastoral concerns in a topical fashion, but even then his sermons come from his exposition of particular passages of Scripture. Rather than focusing on his own spiritual experience, or on current events, or on what he perceives as his congregation’s needs and interests, the minister gives his fullest attention to teaching what the Bible actually says.” Philip Graham Ryken ‘City on a Hill’ p.48-49

The Difficulty with God-Centered Worship

“There is one major difficulty with God-centered worship. God is dangerous, and thus is not altogether safe to come into His presence. Just ask Moses. Or Nadab and Abihu. Or Uzzah. Or Isaiah. Or Job. Or Ananias and Sapphira. All of these people had close encounters with the God of glory. In some cases they were utterly destroyed by the terror of His majesty. In other cases they were simply undone by the brightness of His glory. But in every case they discovered that it is not completely safe to worship a God who is glorious in His holiness. It is for this reason that we give praise to God in Jesus’ name. Our worship must be Christ-honoring. … God’s name is never simply a title, but it always represents the full majesty of His being and attributes. The name of Jesus refers specifically to His person and work as the Savior of sinners. It is the name of salvation. … It is only on the basis of Christ’s atoning work that anyone can ever approach God. Before we approach God in worship, we must be reconciled to Him through Christ and His cross.” – Philip Graham Ryken ‘City on a Hill’ p.68-70

Counselling with Sincerity

"When you counsel and warn others, do it earnestly, affectionately, and thoroughly. And when you are speaking to your equals, let your warnings be intermixed with expressions of your own unworthiness and of the sovereign grace that makes you differ. And, if you can with a good conscience, say how you in yourself are more unworthy than they." Jonathon Edwards 'Advice to Young Converts'

Tozer... Truth has two Wings

"Lack of balance in the Christian life is often the direct consequence of overemphasis on certain favorite texts, with a corresponding underemphasis on other related ones. For it is not denial only that makes a truth void; failure to emphasize it will in the long run be equally damaging. And this puts us in the odd position of holding the truth theoretically while we make it of no effect by neglecting it in practice. Unused truth becomes as useless as an unused muscle. Sometimes our dogmatic insistence upon 'It is written' and our refusal to hear 'Again it is written' makes heretics of us, our heresy being the noncreedal variety which does not rouse the opposition of the theologians." A W Tozer 'That Incredible Christian'

Hot Headed Religion

"It very often happens that the converts that are born in excitement die when the excitement is over. They are like certain insects which are the product of an exceedingly warm day, and die when the sun goes down. Certain converts live like salamanders, in the fire; but they expire at a reasonable temperature. I delight not in the religion which needs or creates a hot head. Give me the godliness which flourishes upon Calvary rather than upon Vesuvius. The utmost zeal for Christ is consistent with common-sense and reason: raving, ranting, and fanaticism are products of another zeal which is not according to knowledge." C. H. Spurgeon, The Soul Winner

Salos "The Branch of His Planting"

I have been working for the past little while on recording some music. I used to play guitar in bands and never have to worry about any other parts. Since I've been moving around so much in the past few years, I haven't able to get together with like-minded people to write with. So I built a computer and started to teach myself how to record. This is what I've come up with. The EP is called "The Branch of His Planting". Here is what theopenlife.com said about the album, "Tell your friends to settle down and listen up. The sophomore release of Joshua Klein's solo project, Salos, is a restful and contemplative selection of instrumentals. Aficionados may find it reminiscent of Unwed Sailor or Explosions in the Sky. More like a Chaniwa tea garden than an overgrown field, the album cuts back excess brush to plot comfortable and sometimes poignant paths with modestly overlayed guitars, e-bow, drums, and occasional viola. The Branch of His Planting comes with an accompanying sheet of texts and an invitation: the listener is encouraged to print out and read selected scriptures along with the music. Consider it a sort of guided tour through the well-cultivated vineyard of Joshua's fruitful thoughts."

For free download of the whole album, go here!

Take note in the following passage... what is the content of the 'evil boasting' this person is charged with?

"Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. " James 4:13-16

The 'evil boasting' described is "tomorrow we will". Godless speech is evil. Forgive us, O LORD.

Rick Gamache of Sovereign Grace Fellowship in Bloomington, MN reminds of the importance of constant recognition of Divine Providence. Download here > If the Lord Wills.mp3

Grudem on Spiritual Presence in the Lord's Supper

"Sometimes Protestants have become so concerned to deny the Roman Catholic view of the "real presence" of Christ in the elements that they have wrongly denied even any spiritual presence. Millard Erickson notes the humorous situation that results: "Out of a zeal to avoid the conception that Jesus is present in some sort of magical way, certain Baptists among others have sometimes gone to such extremes as to give the impression that the one place where Jesus most assuredly is not to be found is the Lord's supper. This is what one Baptist leader termed 'the doctrine of real absence' of Jesus Christ" (Christian Theology p.1123)"- Wayne Grudem Systematic Theology p.996 (footnote)

D.A. Carson on How to Wait For Jesus

Recently listened to D.A. Carson on "How to Wait for Jesus". Was stirred and blessed. Faith By Hearing summed it up this way...
"In two messages, Don takes us through 5 of our Lord’s parables that teach us how we must wait until he returns: The parable of laborers in the vineyard, the parable of two sons, the parable of the tenants, the parable of the ten virgins, and the parable of the talents.

The lessons of these waiting parables are as follows: Wait for the Lord Jesus as those who do not wish to be surprised at the masters return, as stewards who must give an account of their service, as those who knows the masters coming may be long delayed, as slaves commissioned to improve the masters assets, as people whose lives are transformed by the gospel and they unconsciously serve their brothers and sisters in Christ in selfless ways."

How to wait for Jesus 1
How to wait for Jesus 2

Calvin... meditating on the future life

"WHATEVER be the kind of tribulation with which we are afflicted, we should always consider the end of it to be, that we may be trained to despise the present, and thereby stimulated to aspire to the future life. For since God well knows how strongly we are inclined by nature to a slavish love of this world, in order to prevent us from clinging too strongly to it, he employs the fittest reason for calling us back, and shaking off our lethargy. Every one of us, indeed, would be thought to aspire and aim at heavenly immortality during the whole course of his life. For we would be ashamed in no respect to excel the lower animals; whose condition would not be at all inferior to ours, had we not a hope of immortality beyond the grave. But when you attend to the plans, wishes, and actions of each, you see nothing in them but the earth. Hence our stupidity; our minds being dazzled with the glare of wealth, power, and honours, that they can see no farther. The heart also, engrossed with avarice, ambition, and lust, is weighed down and cannot rise above them. In short, the whole soul, ensnared by the allurements of the flesh, seeks its happiness on the earth. To meet this disease, the Lord makes his people sensible of the vanity of the present life, by a constant proof of its miseries. Thus, that they may not promise themselves deep and lasting peace in it, he often allows them to be assailed by war, tumult, or rapine, or to be disturbed by other injuries. That they may not long with too much eagerness after fleeting and fading riches, or rest in those which they already possess, he reduces them to want, or, at least, restricts them to a moderate allowance, at one time by exile, at another by sterility, at another by fire, or by other means. That they may not indulge too complacently in the advantages of married life, he either vexes them by the misconduct of their partners, or humbles them by the wickedness of their children, or afflicts them by bereavement. But if in all these he is indulgent to them, lest they should either swell with vain-glory, or be elated with confidence, by diseases and dangers he sets palpably before them how unstable and evanescent are all the advantages competent to mortals. We duly profit by the discipline of the cross, when we learn that this life, estimated in itself, is restless, troubled, in numberless ways wretched, and plainly in no respect happy; that what are estimated its blessings are uncertain, fleeting, vain, and vitiated by a great admixture of evil. From this we conclude, that all we have to seek or hope for here is contest; that when we think of the crown we must raise our eyes to heaven. For we must hold, that our mind never rises seriously to desire and aspire after the future, until it has learned to despise the present life." John Calvin , Institutes III.9 "Of Meditating on the Future Life"

Matthew Henry on Hosea 2:21-22

"And it shall come to pass in that day, I will hear, saith the LORD, I will hear the heavens, and they shall hear the earth; And the earth shall hear the corn, and the wine, and the oil; and they shall hear Jezreel." Hosea 2:21-22

That, though the heavens had been to them as brass, and the earth as iron, now the heavens shall yield their dews, and by that means the earth its fruits, v. 21, 22. God having betrothed the gospel-church and in it all believers to himself, how shall he not with himself and with his Son freely give them all things, all things pertaining both to life and godliness, all things they need or can desire? All is theirs, for they are Christ’s, betrothed to him; and with the righteousness of the kingdom of God, which they seek first, all other things shall be added unto them. And yet this promise of corn and wine is to be taken also in a spiritual sense (so the learned Dr. Pocock thinks): it is an effusion of those blessings and graces which relate to the soul that is here promised under the metaphor of temporal blessings, the dew of heaven, as well as the fatness of the earth, and that put first, as in the blessing of Jacob, Gen. 27:28. God had threatened (v. 9) that he would take away the corn and the wine; but now he promises to restore them, and that in the common course and order of nature. While they lay under the judgment of famine they called to the earth for corn and wine for the support of themselves and their families. Very gladly would the earth have supplied them, but she cannot give unless she receive, cannot produce corn and wine unless she be enriched with the river of God (Ps. 65:9); and therefore she calls to the heavens for rain, the former and latter rain in their season, grapes for it, and by her melancholy aspect when rain is denied pleads for it. "But,’’ say the heavens, "we have no rain to give unless he who has the key of the clouds unlock them, and open these bottles; so that, if the Lord do not help you, we cannot.’’ But, when God takes them into covenant with himself, then the wheel of nature shall be set a-going again in favour of them, and the streams of mercy shall flow in the usual channel: Then I will hear, saith the Lord; I will receive your prayers (so the Chaldee interprets the first hearing); God will graciously take notice of their addresses to him. And then I will hear the heavens; I will answer them (so it may be read); and then they shall hear and answer the earth, and pour down seasonable rain upon it; and then the earth shall hear the corn and vines, and supply them with moisture, and they shall hear Jezreel, and be nourishment and refreshment for those that inhabit Jezreel. See here the coherence of second causes with one another, as links in a chain, and the necessary dependence they all have upon God, the first Cause. Note, We must expect all our comforts from God in the usual method and by the appointed means; and, when we are at any time disappointed in them, we must look up to God, above the hills and the mountains, Ps. 121:1, 2. See how ready the creatures are to serve the people of God, how desirous of the honour: the corn cries to the earth, the earth to the heavens, the heavens to God, and all that they may supply them. And see how ready God is to give relief: I will hear, saith the Lord, yea, I will hear. And, if God will hear the cry of the heavens for his people, much more will he hear the intercession of his Son for them, who is made higher than the heavens. See what a peculiar delight those that are in covenant with God may take in their creature-comforts, as seeing them all come to them from the hand of God; they can trace up all the streams to the fountain, and taste covenant-love in common mercies, which makes them doubly sweet. - M. Henry

Eden laughing

My beautiful baby boy laughs for the first time and we got it on video!
See more home videos of the kid here.

Pitchford on Love, Unity, and Doctrinal Precision

Nathan Pitchford has written a wonderfully stirring article called "Love, Unity, and Doctrinal Precision". It has been a blessing to me (as well the rest of his writings).

Here a snippet of the article...

“How many doctrinal dissimilarities should I be willing to gloss over before I make a big deal of something?” “At what point should I refuse to cooperate/fellowship/associate with another Christian who believes differently than I?” “To what extent should I carry out my severance of fellowship?” “If I cannot join together with him to worship in church, may we still enjoy a cup of coffee together at the local diner?” My contention is that this sort of reasoning is informed by underlying errors in one’s understanding of the true nature of love, of fellowship, and of purity. What we need is not more wisdom in determining the precise spot of “balance” on the continuum, the spot which would at once do justice to the importance of both love and doctrine. What we need is to call into question the metaphysical undergirdings of the continuum itself. Let us not be content to do the best we can within the paradigm we have been given; on the contrary, let us be careful that our paradigm reflects as closely as possible the paradigm of New Testament Christianity. That in itself is the larger portion of the battle.

I believe we all would be greatly helped to consider our calling to Christian unity and charity. You can find the article here.

Grace and peace be to you all!

New pictures...

Eden's grandparents and uncles came out to visit, we've been working on our garden, working on a lighthouse doing maintenance, and serving the Lord our GOD who is our everlasting strength.
To see more pictures, click here.
Praise be to God.

Taking away the stones - Sibbes

"In a contentious age, it is a wise thing to be a Christian, and to know what to pitch our souls upon. It is an office of love here to take away the stones, and to smooth the way to heaven. Therefore, we must take heed that, under pretence of avoidance of disputes, we do not suffer an adverse party to get ground upon the truth; for thus may we easily betray both the truth of God and souls of men." -Sibbes 'The Bruised Reed'

The Manifestation of the Children of Promise

My wife and I have been on a theological journey for quite sometime now. A while back, I began praying Psalm 43:3, "O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles." I prayed that every morning for a year during my searching into the Sovereignty of God and Divine Election. I do believe, by the grace of God, the LORD has made known unto me straight paths of truth concerning such Scriptural teachings as Election and Predestination. I thank my God for such revelation!
My Christian background was that of Arminianism and Dispensationalism. Surely this has taken a serious toll on my perspective on scripture. It is my prayer that my Lord would remove all my presuppositions before I come to study God's Sacred Word as I know that there lies deep within rubble from that previous foundation.
When it came to the nation of Israel and current news headlines about the Middle East, I was very confused. I did not know what to believe. I heard that there were differences of opinion on this, and I felt a little overwhelmed trying to study that topic in isolation. I quickly realized that there were a lot more issues that needed to be sorted out before I could have any fair perspective on these current events.
The first thing I discovered is that knowing who, according to Scripture, the people of God are was extremely critical before being able to come to further conclusions. So I laboured in relatively focused study and prayer about that topic for a little over a year. I did read a number of different opinions; however these were merely supplements to my commitment to Scriptural exploration. I submerged myself in the scriptures from both Old Testament and New Testament, with sincere prayer and crying out to God for wisdom. I soon came to realize my second hurdle in study: hermeneutics.
Just exactly how do I understand what is being written? How am I to read this? Is this somewhat of a declaration of plain facts as an encyclopedia or dictionary might speak, or is this to be understood in context of figurative language like Isaiah’s trees of the field that “clap their hands”? Surely no one would teach that there are/will be trees somewhere that have hands and that they clap them together rejoicing because of God’s work of restoration. We all understand that to be figurative poetic language communicating a real truth.
So how is someone to figure out what hermeneutic to use and at what times they are to be implemented? The only answer I could come up with was to look to the only source that is one hundred percent reliable: God’s Word. My thoughts went like this: I know that God had progressively revealed His Word through history. The New Testament comes after the Old, and therefore is the final word on all interpretation of those texts. There will be no more Testaments. The New Testament is the final Testament. Since there is one Author of this Word, I must be willing to submit my thoughts underneath the New Testament interpretation and embrace it. Here’s one quick example: We read in Psalm 22:18, “They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.” Now how are we to properly understand how this scripture is to be interpreted? I mean, David is writing that as his experience, isn’t he? The only interpretation that is appropriate is the one that the New Testament gives. God’s final word on the matter says, “Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.” Jn 19:23-24 So if we were to have read that Psalm and concluded some other interpretation, we would be wrong because the Divine Interpretation reveals that when David wrote that, it was written as a prophecy about Roman soldiers taking Jesus’ clothing. There is no other possibility. God has told us what it means.
So now, if I am reading the Old Testament and I get to Genesis 17 and see God making a covenant with Abraham and his seed that God will be their God and they are promised a land for ever, how should I find out what to make of that today? The New Testament! Does the New Testament talk about Abraham and his seed and the promises that are made to them? I found that it does! Actually, it talks quite a bit about it as if it was a pretty important issue.
So, the following is the result of my study. I have told you my method of interpretation so that now you can see how it is that I read the Bible. I believe the New Testament is the final word and inspired interpretation of the Old, and therefore is the key to properly understanding it. This list of scriptures is intended as a list of references for your own personal study. My recommendation is that this list is to be read as a guide only. It is important to read the context of both the Old and New Testament references. Seek to observe the way in which the New Testament interprets the Old. Then, submit yourself under that truth. If the New says, “When that was written, Such and such was talking about this and that”, it is my conviction that when Such and such was writing, they were talking about this and that. (Even if the writer didn’t fully understand it, that is what God meant when He included it in His Bible.)
May God bless the reading of this list. May you find it helpful and profitable to your Bible study! Remember, as well, all understanding into spiritual truths comes from God Himself. “Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures” Lk 24:45 Spiritual understanding is not an end in itself, either. It is to gird our loins (emotions) with truth, increase our vision of God, and intensify our affection for Christ. I think it was best put by the men whose understanding was opened on the road to Emmaus, “Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” Lk 24:32 Beloved, may God’s truth wedge its way deep down into our souls and stir us to praise. May we exclaim with Paul, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” Rom 11:33 Grace be upon you all!

The Manifestation of the Children of Promise
A brief overview of the History of Redemption.


God called a peculiar people out for himself from all the people on the earth.

“For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.” Deut 7:6-8

It was to Abraham that He appeared, promising to make a great nation of his seed and to give them the land and to be a God to them. Abraham was told that the sign of the covenant was circumcision.

“And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing” Gen 12:2

“And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God. And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations. This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.” Gen 17:7-10

Then to Abraham’s son Isaac was the covenant established. He was the promised child unlike Ishmael which was a product of the flesh.

“But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.” Gen 17:21

“Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac. And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight because of his son. And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.” Gen 21:10-12

Then to Isaac’s son Jacob was the covenant established.

“And Isaac called Jacob, and blessed him, and charged him, and said unto him, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan. Arise, go to Padanaram, to the house of Bethuel thy mother's father; and take thee a wife from thence of the daughters of Laban thy mother's brother. And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people; And give thee the blessing of Abraham, to thee, and to thy seed with thee; that thou mayest inherit the land wherein thou art a stranger, which God gave unto Abraham.” Gen 28:1-4

God changed Jacob’s name to Israel which means “Chosen by God” and then reminded him that He would give Him Abraham’s blessing.

“And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel. And God said unto him, I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins; And the land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, to thee I will give it, and to thy seed after thee will I give the land.” Gen 35:10-12

Israel was a nation made up primarily of ethnic descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. However, Gentiles could convert to Judaism and “become Jews”. They were called “proselytes”. They were real citizens of Israel and were under the same law.

“And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them.” Est 8:17

“And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof. One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you.” Ex 12:48-49

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.” Mt 23:15

Through Moses, God declared His Law to the people as a covenant which they were commanded to keep.

“Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him. And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD.” Ex 19:5-8

“And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's. And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.” Ex 20:1-18

The nation of Israel, broke the Mosaic covenant that God established with them.

“And say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel; Cursed be the man that obeyeth not the words of this covenant, Which I commanded your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace, saying, Obey my voice, and do them, according to all which I command you: so shall ye be my people, and I will be your God: That I may perform the oath which I have sworn unto your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as it is this day. Then answered I, and said, So be it, O LORD … Yet they obeyed not, nor inclined their ear, but walked every one in the imagination of their evil heart: therefore I will bring upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do; but they did them not. And the LORD said unto me, A conspiracy is found among the men of Judah, and among the inhabitants of Jerusalem. They are turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, which refused to hear my words; and they went after other gods to serve them: the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my covenant which I made with their fathers.” Jer 11:3-5, 8-10

So God promised to make a New Covenant with them wherein He would put His Law in their hearts and enable them to walk in His ways. They would inherit the land, their sins would be forgiven, and they would be His people and God Himself would be with them and be their God.

“Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” Jer 31:31-34

“Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went. And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God. I will also save you from all your uncleannesses: and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you. And I will multiply the fruit of the tree, and the increase of the field, that ye shall receive no more reproach of famine among the heathen. Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations. Not for your sakes do I this, saith the Lord GOD, be it known unto you: be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel.” Eze 36:22-32

These promises were to come through the Messiah who would deliver them. He would be a King on the throne of David and reign forever. He would be a Prophet that they would follow. He would be their Shepherd to guide them.

“And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.” 2 Sam 7:12

“The LORD hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.” Ps 132:11

“The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken…I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.” Deut 18:15, 18-19

“And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. And I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the LORD have spoken it.” Eze 34:23-24

“He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.” Isa 40:11

When that Messiah came, it was the Son of God who was named Jesus because he would save His people from their sins.

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” Mt 1:21

Jesus Christ is the Prophet, the King, and Shepherd promised in the Old Testament.

“For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days. Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.” Acts 3:22-26

“Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.” Act 2:30-36

“That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords” 1 Tim 6:14-15

“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.” Jn 10:11, 14-15

This Jesus was crucified according to the Scriptures, bearing the just penalty for the sins of His people. He was raised from the dead and ascended to the right hand of the Father.

“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” 1 Cor 15:3-4

“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 Jn 4:10

“And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.” Acts 8:30-35

Salvation is through faith in the Messiah alone. This is not new. Abraham, David, and all Old Testament saints were justified by placing their faith in the crucified sin-bearing Saviour promised in all the Scriptures.

“For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.” Rom 4:3-8

“Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.” Jn 8:56

“Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.” Acts 2:29-31

“By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.” Heb 11:24-26

“For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.” Gal 3:10-11

Faith is a gift of God and fruit of the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit promised in Jeremiah and Ezekiel’s prophecies of the New Covenant.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Eph 2:8-9

“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me… It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” Jn 6:44-45, 63

“But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.” Heb 8:6-13

This message of the Messiah’s redeeming work, which is called ‘the gospel’ (or good news) was brought to Abraham’s descendants according to the promises.

“Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.” Acts 3:25-26

“Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.” Acts 13:26

“Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.” Rom 9:4-5

“These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Mt 10:5-6

At that time, the majority of Abraham’s descendants rejected the Messiah. They were looking for a physical king rather than a spiritual King. Christ told them that His Kingdom is not physical but spiritual. The inauguration of His Kingdom was evidenced by miracles. Some were regenerated and believed, becoming messengers of this gospel of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.

“He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” Jn 1:11-13

“Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers” Acts 7:51-52

“Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” Jn 10:24-27

“And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” Lk 17:20-21

“Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.” Jn 18:33- 36

“Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.” Mt 12:22-28

“After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him.” Jn 7:1

Since Abraham’s descendants rejected the promised Messiah, these messengers then turned to the Gentiles with this same gospel holding out the promise of being grafted into the Olive Tree, which is Israel. All those physical descendants that remained unbelieving in the Messiah were cut off from the Olive Tree.

“But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.” Acts 13:45-48

“And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Mt 8:11-12

“Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.” Mt 21:42-45

“For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them. For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again. For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?” Rom 11:13-24

This rejection of the Messiah was not a failure on the part of the Word of God. Abraham’s descendants did not thwart the work that God was trying to do by their unbelief. His word always accomplishes what He sends it forth to do. The New Testament reveals that not all those that are of physical Israel are of true Israel. Abraham’s fleshly descendants (the seed “through the law”) were not the people intended to be heirs of the promises made to Abraham, but rather those that have the faith of Abraham out of every nation.

“I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.” Rom 9:1-8

“For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isa 55:10-11

“They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.” Jn 8:33-45

“For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.” Rom 2:28-29

“Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised. For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.” Rom 4:9-17

God has declared this from the beginning even in the very name of Abraham, which means “father of many nations”. This promise to Abraham of many nations being blessed through him is the heart and soul of the gospel. That is why Jesus corrects a Jewish teacher that expected a Saviour exclusively of the Jews by explaining that God loved the whole world, not just the Jewish nation. God’s love extends to people of every tongue, tribe, and nation. Abraham is the father of all believers.

“Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.” Gal 3:6-9

“Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Jn 3:10-16

“And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.” Jn 11:49-52

“Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.” Rom 4:16-17

A great number of people from diverse tongues, tribes, and nations are converted and saved by the atoning work of Jesus the Messiah.

“After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.” Rev 7:9-10

The promises made to Abraham were not made to his physical seed, but with Christ and all those in Him. All those that are Christ’s are now called the Circumcision because of the spiritual circumcision of the heart that the Spirit accomplished. This spiritual circumcision enables men to worship God in spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ… For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Gal 3:13-16, 26-29

“And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses” Col 2:10-13

“For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.” Rom 2:28-29

“For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.” Phil 3:3

When God originally made these promises, He had a promised people in mind. The promises of the covenant were not made with the children of the flesh, but with the children of the promise. The children of promise spoken of are people that have been “born after the Spirit”. All Christians are, as Isaac was, the children of promise because of the spiritual regeneration and grafting into the people of God which is the “Church”, meaning “called out ones”.

“Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.” Rom 9:6-8

“Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband. Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.” Gal 4:21-31

The epistle to the Galatians is written about law verses faith. Paul emphasizes over and over that, according to the scriptures, those that seek justification by law keeping are not God’s people, but rather that those that are Christ’s by faith. All those that walk according to the rule of “a new creature” (regeneration) are called the Israel of God. That is, true Israel.

“For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.” Gal 6:13-16

The land is yet to be given to the inheritors of the promise, they are said to be strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For, here they have no permanent city. They are expectantly waiting for one to come. The Promised Land is the same as Abraham was expecting, one whose builder and maker was God. It was an heavenly one. This is Zion, the New Jerusalem found in the New Heavens and New Earth. According to the prophet Isaiah, the “Zion of the Holy One of Israel” is the land to be inherited. He describes the same City as is found in Revelation chapter 21. Seeing our “land” far off, we are told to persevere in faith unto the end. All those that have faith in Christ unto the end will receive the promised heavenly inheritance.

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul” 1 Pet 2:9-11

“By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.” Heb 11:8-16

“For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.” Heb 13:14

“The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel. Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no man went through thee, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations. Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shalt suck the breast of kings: and thou shalt know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob. For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron: I will also make thy officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness. Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise. The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory. Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended. Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.” Isa 60:14-21

“Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.” Heb 3:12-4:2

That these promises made to Abraham were to be understood as spiritual and that from him would come a spiritual nation made up of people from every tongue, tribe, and nation is called the mystery of Christ. This mystery was hidden from the world until it was revealed to the Apostles and prophets in the New Testament, making known the manifold wisdom of God. God purposed every inch of this work according to His own eternal purpose, working all things after the counsel of His own will. This brings praise to our lips and confidence to our hearts to see the infinite wisdom, knowledge, and power of God in the history of God’s Redemptive work. To God alone be the glory!

“How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.” Eph 3:3-12

“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.” Rom 11:33-36