A Christmas Poem

by Pastor J. C. O'Hair

The Christmas season is again at hand,
With thoughts of Christ in every land;
The Christmas message again we'll hear,
The songs of Christ Who brought good cheer;
The Lord of glory, God's gift of love,
Who left His home in heaven above.
We'll sing and tell the Saviour's birth,
How He dwelt with men on earth.

Redemption's story, God's own plan,
The Lord Himself in form of man;
Yes, lower than the angels made,
In Bethlehem's manger Christ was laid;
The virgin's Son, the King Divine,
In David's house the royal line;
Conceived as was no other child;
The Seed of woman, undefiled.

God's ancient prophets, holy men,
Foretold Christ's work by mouth and pen.
Christ came these Scriptures to fulfill,
He came to do His Father's will.
He left His heavenly home on high;
He came on earth to serve and die.
His mission was to seek and save:
He suffered much; Himself He gave.

On Calvary's cross the Saviour died,
By wicked men was crucified,
But God foreknew this awful crime:
It was His own appointed time.
The death of Christ was by God's grace
That He might save the human race;
Save lost sinners, every one
Who will believe on Christ the Son.

Then God raised Him from the dead
To make His Son the living Head;
The living Christ on heaven's throne
Is interceding for His own.
Because Christ lives and intercedes
God supplies the Christian's needs.
Because Christ's there within the vail,
The Christian's anchor cannot fail.

When you know what God has done
Why do you reject His Son,
Despise His grace and spurn His love,
And miss a home in heaven above?
Believe God's Word, accept God's way;
'Tis worse than folly to delay.
Christ will save you from your sin
And give you joy and peace within.

And then from condemnation free
A Merry Christmas yours will be.
When you yourself have thus been freed
You will believe man's greatest need,
In this world so filled with strife,
Is God's free gift-eternal life.
And all who take what God will give
Shall with Christ forever live.




O'Hair, J. C. "Grace Poems." Berean Bible Society, https://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/GRACE-POEMS.pdf.

The God of all Grace

by Pastor J. C. O'Hair

"The God of all grace" is a wonderful name:
What a privilege it is, His grace to proclaim;
To tell forth the gospel at home and abroad,
To teach guilty sinners the great love of God.

How He planned it in heaven, to send from above
His bosom Companion, the Son of His love,
To live among sinners, to die on the tree,
To receive Divine judgment for you and for me.

What love and what mercy! What infinite grace!
Christ Jesus was willing to die in our place.
Then God sent the Spirit to convict us of sin,
To make us new creatures and abide then within.

Grace excludes boasting, religion or deeds;
Provides for the sinner all that he needs.
In Christ we're accepted, complete in God's Son;
Saved without doing, by the work He has done.

Not by man's wisdom, endeavor or plan;
How utterly futile the best work of man!
Because Christ was sinless God can be just
And justify freely all who will trust.

And all who trust Jesus of glory are sure,
Preserved by God's power, forever secure.
For Christ, in God's presence, appears for His own
And makes intercession as He sits on God's throne.

And sealed by the Spirit who abides all the way,
The believer is waiting for that glorious day;
When the blessed Lord Jesus shall in glory appear;
The day of redemption! We wonder how near!

Then all that is mortal no longer shall be,
In glorified bodies our Lord we shall see.
And if we are faithful, with Him we shall reign,
For our labours in Jesus shall not be in vain.

With such grace abounding, such power Divine!
Why do we falter, doubt or repine?
And why do lost sinners remain in their state
Condemned now already and hereafter such fate?




O'Hair, J. C. "Grace Poems." Berean Bible Society, https://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/GRACE-POEMS.pdf.

The Gospel (The "DBR")

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 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:

Death

What's good about death? Nothing, that is if we are talking about physical death for you, for me, for our family and friends. Death often brings sadness. Nobody likes to lose someone that they dearly loved and cared for. We learn from Romans 6:23a that the wages (consequences) of sin is death. "For the wages of sin is death." Death entered the picture after Adam first sinned in the Garden (Gen. 3; Rom. 5:18a). Humanly speaking, death is no good. But, we're not just talking about any man's death. We are talking about the Lord Jesus Christ's death. What did Christ's death accomplish for you and for me? Well, 2nd Corinthians 5:19 puts it this way. 2 Corinthians 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. God was in Christ not imputing or not counting the world's sins against them. He has reconciled the world unto Himself in the person of Christ (who is God as well, John 1:1,14). We just read in Romans 6:23 that the "wages of sin is death." So, in order to pay for sin a sacrifice is required. That's why Israel was required to offer animal sacrifices. Their sin was imputed on the sacrifice. But, instead of offering animal sacrifices today, Christ Himself is that once for all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10). Our sins were imputed to Christ on the cross. His death paid for all of our sins. Therefore, He is no longer counting our sin against us today, because it was already counted or imputed on Him when He hung from the cross of Calvary. That work is finished. As Christ called out on the cross, "It is finished (John 19:30)."

Burial

Once again we ask what's good about the burial? Or what is good about burying people? Humanly speaking, it is no good. It follows naturally right after death, when people gather to bury their loved ones. But, once again we are not talking about any man's death and burial. We are talking about the Lord Jesus Christ. Why is Christ's burial important? The first time burial is mentioned in Scripture it is when Abraham buries his wife Sarah in Genesis 23:19. To bury someone or something is to put it out of sight. Christ died for our sins by becoming that once for all sufficient sacrifice and was buried, therefore, our sin too was buried. In other words, Christ put our sins away forever. He left them buried. He put it out of His sight. To sum up so far, Christ has died for all of our sins and has buried them, putting them out of His sight forever. What great news this is!

Resurrection

But, we are not done yet. As proof that Christ did what He said He did, he arose from the grave. He rose again so that you and I might have eternal life in Him in Heavenly places. The last part of Romans 6:23 says "but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." As well as Romans 5:18b, "through one Man's  (Jesus Christ) righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life." This free gift is offered to all men (all mankind). In order to receive eternal life in Christ, all you have to do is believe. Believe what? Believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins on your behalf, was buried, and rose again the third day! Simply believe what Christ said He has already done. Then you will be justified or made righteous. You will be made "the righteousness of God in Him" (2nd Corinthians 5:21). Believe today!

Rejoicing in Hope

Romans 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Believers have been justified by faith and therefore, we now have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:1). We then also now have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand. We have a perfect position in Christ. We are complete in Him (Col. 2:10).

Now that we have been justified, or made righteous,  and have a perfect standing before God in our Savior Jesus Christ, we can now rejoice in hope or eager anticipation of the glory of God that we are waiting for, known as our blessed hope (Titus 2:13). On one hand, because of our perfect standing in Christ, we too are already seated in the Heavenlies in Christ at the right hand of the Father. But, we also are looking forward to the coming of our Lord when He shall catch us away from this world and we shall meet Him there in the air (1 Thess. 4:13-18). And from that point on we shall be with the Lord for all eternity. We shall share in His glory. We shall be in His presence forever more. In verse twelve of chapter twelve, it again says that we are to be rejoicing in hope. The tense of the verse suggests that that we are to rejoice continuously. We are to keep on rejoicing in that hope we now have as believers in Christ Jesus as we walk in the Lord on this earth while we wait for the Lord to catch the Church (Body of Christ) away.

Romans 4:18

Romans 4:18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.

Earlier in chapter four of Romans Abraham is used to explain how someone is justified today in the Dispensation of Grace. In verse five, a man is justified by faith apart  from works or without works. Abraham's faith was accounted to him for righteousness. Righteousness was counted to his account, because he believed. And in verses 9-12, it explains that Abraham's faith was accounted for righteousness while he was still uncircumcised.

The word "against" in verse 18 means "beyond." Humanly speaking, both Abraham and Sarah had no hope of ever reproducing because they were old. It was beyond hope. But God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things that don't exist as though they did exist (verse 17) gave them that hope. And hope, according to the Bible, means an earnest expectation (Phil. 1:20). Abraham could expect what God told him would happen. Where there seemed to be no hope from man's perspective, from God's perspective there was hope. And Abraham simply believed/trusted God. And because of that faith, righteousness was accounted to him. It wasn't by works or by circumcision. It was by faith alone.

We too are justified by faith today!

Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

God has already reconciled the world unto Himself by not imputing our trespasses unto ourselves, but instead He imputed (counted) our sin on the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Christ, who knew no sin, was made sin for us (2 Cor. 5:21). God is no longer counting your sin against you. All of your sin is paid for! All you have to do to receive eternal life, or in other words, be made the righteousness of God in Christ is believe! Take God at His Word. He said he has already paid for your sins. He said that he is no longer charging you with your sin. All you have to do is believe! Believe that Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose again the third day! (1 Cor. 15:1-4) By believing what Christ has already done on your behalf you are then made the righteousness of God in Him.

Our Calling

2 Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

Jesus Christ has saved us (those who have trusted in Him and His finished work) by His own shed blood on the cross. He went to Calvary to die for the sins of the world. He knew no sin, but instead was made sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him (2 Cor. 5:21). He died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day (1 Cor. 15:3,4). All we have to do is believe!

He has also called us with a holy calling. The word “calling” means an invitation. The word “called” means to call aloud. God has called aloud to us with a holy calling or invitation to do His will and to walk in Him.

Ephesians 1:18-20 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

Paul prays that we believers should know three things. These three things will help us with our walk in the Lord.

1. We are to know what the hope of His calling is. God has called us wit a holy calling. He has called aloud to us to walk worthy (Eph. 4:1) of that calling with which we were called into. There is a hope that goes along with that calling too. That hope is called a blessed hope in Titus 2:13. In 1 Thessalonians, the saints (dead and alive) will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. This meeting is called the Rapture. It will take place before the tribulation. We have a heavenly hope to reign with Christ in Heaven, while Israel had and earthly hope where they will in the future reign with Christ on the earth.
2. We are to know what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in saints is. God has an inheritance in us just as much as we have an inheritance in Him. Eph. 1:11 says that “in Him we have obtained an inheritance.” And in verse 13 and 14, the Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our inheritance and we are sealed for the day of redemption (Eph. 4:30). In verse 14, it says we are His purchased possession. We belong to Christ now. We have been redeemed.
3. We are to know what the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe is. The same power that raised Christ from the dead and the same power that saved us and called us with a holy calling is the same power that now works in us (Eph. 3:20).

God now gives us the power to walk in Him. To know these things is to appreciate what we have in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ even more. To know what our hope is, that God has an inheritance in us, and that He gives us the power to walk worthy of that calling that He has called us into is to give us the strength to be able to walk in Him. We can now do good works, which God had prepared beforehand that we should walk in them (Eph. 2:10), because of what Christ has done for us. The law of Moses couldn’t do this for us. All it did was condemn us (Rom. 3:19-20). But now, because of the law of the Spirit the righteous requirement of the law is now fulfilled in us; because, we walk according to the Spirit not after the flesh (Rom. 8:2-4).

Also, read Colossians 1:9-11 and Philippians 1:9-11.

Priests or Ambassadors

1 Peter 2:9 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:

There are many that teach that believers today are also priests. Their belief is based on the verse above. For it does say that ye are a “chosen generation, a royal priesthood.” However, to whom is Peter writing to? In verse 1:1, he is writing to the “strangers scattered throughout.”  The “strangers scattered throughout” would also be those who were scattered after the persecution broke out after the stoning of Stephen (Acts 11:19). This is also said in Acts 8:1. So, Peter is talking to Jews. The believing remnant of Israel, or scattered Jews, were those to whom Peter was addressing in his epistle.

Also, back under the law, Israel was called to be a holy nation and a kingdom of priests.

Exodus 19:6 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.

One of the roles of a priest was to mediate. For example, only the high priest could enter the Holy of holies and present the sacrifice unto God. They were acting on behalf of the rest of the nation. They were there to mediate between God and man.

However, today there is only one mediator. That one mediator is the Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

Jesus Christ, today, is that one mediator between God and man. God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses against them (2 Cor. 5:19). He did that while “in Christ.” We have “peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1). Our job now is to be Christ’s ambassadors to take the word of reconciliation to the world.  Christ has already done the work of salvation. He has provided salvation to everyone who believes the “gospel of Christ which is the power of God unto salvation” (Rom. 1:16). Our job is to proclaim the gospel to lost sinners, but it is Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit who will save them if they believe on Him (Acts 16:31). The only mediating that we may do is between man and another man. The role of the priest or Christ’s role as the one mediator is to mediate between God and man. So, the role of mediator is given to Jesus Christ. Israel’s role is to be a kingdom of priests. Our role, on the other hand, is to be Christ’s ambassadors (2 Cor. 5:20).

Our Grace Commission

1 Corinthians 1:17-18 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

·       Paul was not sent to baptize, but to preach the gospel. The Twelve apostles on the other hand were sent to baptize (Matt. 28:19,20). We are to imitate Paul, as Paul imitated Christ (1 Cor. 11:1). Paul received a different message than the twelve received (Gal. 1:11,12). Water baptism in this verse would be the same as what is called the wisdom of words. Paul tells us to just preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words. The preaching of the cross is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes (Rom. 1:16,17). There is no need to add anything to the gospel. Just preach it!

Ephesians 2:8-9 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.

·       We are saved by grace through faith. We are not saved by doing good works or getting water baptized. Instead, it is a free gift from God. All we have to do is believe the gospel. That is, believe that Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose again the third day (1 Cor. 15:3,4).

Romans 1:16-17 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

·       The twelve apostles were given the power to forgive the sins of a person. However, we today under the Dispensation of Grace are not given that power. Forgiveness of sins is by the power of God. We have forgiveness of sins through our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:6,7). God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their sins upon them (2 Cor. 5:16-21). Our sins have been paid for, all we have to do is believe it. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved. All you have to do is accept the free gift.

1 Timothy 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

·       God desires all men (all persons) to be saved. This is the first part of our commission. It is to preach the gospel. Preach that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day! He paid for all of our sins on the cross. The second part of our commission is to see that all men come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Ephesians 3:9 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:

·       This is the second part of our commission from the verse above. To have all men come to a knowledge of the truth is to make (cause) them to see what is the fellowship of the mystery. The mystery was hidden in God before the foundation of the world. It was only revealed to the Apostle Paul in due time.

·       What is the mystery? At least one part of it is the truth about the one new man (the new creation). God has reconciled both Jew and Gentile in one body (the Body of Christ). There is now no difference between the two. That middle wall has been broken down (Eph. 2). We are now all one in Christ Jesus (Gal. 3:28).

2 Corinthians 5:19-20 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

·       We aren’t told in Paul’s Epistles that we have to start in Jerusalem or anywhere else for that matter. We can start preaching the gospel wherever we happen to be. The Jews, the disciples, on the other hand, were told to start in Jerusalem (Acts 1:8). God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them. He, therefore, has committed to us the word of reconciliation to take to the world. God has reconciled both Jew and Gentile in one Body. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile today. We can and should preach to both Jew and Gentile about the gospel, as well as the mystery that was given to Paul.

The So-called "Great" Commission

The so-called “Great” Commission is also called the Kingdom Commission. God promised Israel that they would inherit the earth (Matt. 5:5), they would receive a King, and that King would deliver her from her enemies. In Matthew through Acts, there are six key passages that explain the Kingdom of Heaven. The Kingdom of Heaven (which means kingdom out from Heaven) will be that earthly reign of Christ when He sets up His Kingdom on the earth. The gospel of the Kingdom says you must believe in the name of Christ (John 1:12) to be saved. That means to believe that Christ is the prophesied Messiah (King) of Israel. To believe that He is the Christ [Messiah], the Son of the living God (Matt. 16:16).

Matthew

Matthew 10:5-7 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. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

·       This is the first part of the Kingdom Commission. The twelve apostles were originally told and sent to go only to the Jews. Why? It was because Israel, according to prophecy, had to be saved first. The children must be filled first (Mark 7:27).

Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

·       Then the twelve apostles, after Christ’s resurrection, were sent out to and supposed to take the Kingdom gospel to the nations. They were told two things. 1) Baptize them (the nations) in the name (or authority) of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 2) Teach them to observe all things whatsoever Christ had commanded them to do. That would mean they were instructed to follow all the law and so were the Gentiles. They were still under law. However, they never fulfilled this part of the Commission. Why? Because, they were still to carry out the first part which is in Matthew 10:5-7. Israel still had to be saved first. Israel was to be that light unto the world to bring blessing and salvation to the Gentile nations. Gentiles would be saved through the rise of Israel. However, we read in Acts 8:1 that all the Jews at Jerusalem scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. They have not yet gone out to all the nations with the Kingdom gospel. They will in the future, but this part of their commission hasn’t been fulfilled yet.

Mark

Mark 16:15-18 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

·       Again, they were instructed to go into all the world and preach the gospel of the Kingdom. There are two conditions to being saved under this gospel and commission and both must be met. 1) He that believeth. Faith is required in every dispensation. 2) And is baptized. Water baptism is a requirement under this commission. Salvation under the Law and the Kingdom gospel is faith plus works. Works were required to show your faith to be saved. But, faith is still important. If you didn’t have faith to begin with, then there is no point in doing good works or being water baptized. You’re damned from the very beginning. After you believe and are baptized, then signs will follow those that believe. We don’t see this today.

Luke

Luke 24:47-49 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

·       Repentance and remission of sins were also to be preached in Christ’s name among all the Gentile nations. Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. But, where were they to start? They were to start in Jerusalem. Why? Because, Israel had to be saved first. Also, they were told to tarry in Jerusalem, until they received the Holy Spirit (endued with power from on high). In Acts 2:4, the twelve apostles were all filled with the Holy Spirit.

John

John 20:23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

·       The twelve were also given the power to forgive sins or not to forgive them. This is because they were to reign with Christ on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel (Matt. 19:28). We certainly don’t have this power today. And why would we need it since we are told that Christ himself has forgiven us of all our sin in this current Dispensation of Grace. God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them. We are instructed to forgive others, because Christ has forgiven us. 

Acts

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

·       Again, the twelve apostles are told to be witnesses of Christ both in Jerusalem, in Judea, in Samaria, and then the uttermost part of the earth. They were to begin in Jerusalem, and then work their way out to the rest of the world. But, they never left Jerusalem, because the nation’s leaders and the nation as a whole never repented and didn’t believe Christ was their Messiah.

Our Grace Commission

Christ, then set aside Israel as a nation temporarily and raised up a new apostle (Paul). Paul was given the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24) and the revelation of the mystery (Rom. 16:25). He is called the apostle of the Gentiles (Rom. 11:13). He was given a commission to take this new message, the word of reconciliation, to the world (both Jews and Gentiles). Now, there is a new creation (the Body of Christ) where there is neither Jew nor Greek, male or female, bond or free (Gal. 3:28). Instead, we are all one in Christ Jesus (Gal. 3:28). The gospel today is to just believe that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day (1 Cor. 15:3,4).

Jesus Christ is God!

Here are some verses that show that Jesus Christ is God, manifest in the flesh.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

John 3:31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.

John 5:22-23 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

John 8:56-58 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

John 10:30 I and my Father are one.

John 12:44-45 Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.

John 14:7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

John 17:22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

John 20:28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Romans 1:3-4 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

Romans 9:5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

Ephesians 1:22-23 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Colossians 1:18-19 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Hebrews 1:8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

Hebrews 1:13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?

2 Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:

1 John 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

Salvation comes to Gentiles thru Israel's Fall

Luke 13:6-9 He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.

The Lord forgave Israel on the cross and they were given one more year to repent and be baptized and come back to that covenant relationship that they had with God. They still needed to accept Christ as her Messiah.

The three years refer to Christ’s earthly ministry. Christ entered the priesthood at age 30, as it was required under the law (Num. 4:3,23). He ministered for three years, until He was crucified.

He was hungry for fruit. He wanted to see His chosen nation produce the fruit that she was supposed to, since she was supposed to be a kingdom of priests that was to be a light unto the world. But he found no fruit. (Matt. 21:18-22; Mk 11:12-14)

The one more year ends with the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7), which is where they rejected the Holy Spirit and committed the unpardonable sin (Matt. 12:31,32). Whoever speaks against the Son of man, it would be forgiven them. And it was forgiven them when Christ called out to the Father, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do (Luke 23:34).” But, when they resisted the Spirit, they weren’t forgiven for that. God set them aside, as a nation, in His eyes at that point. We know that the book of Acts is a transitional book and it took a while for Israel to be cast away (it was a gradual process). But, in God’s eyes He set her aside at the stoning of Stephen. That was the one more year that was given to Israel, before they were cut down.

Israel didn’t bear any fruit, so she was cut down. She didn’t repent.

Therefore, God raised up another Apostle, the Apostle Paul (Acts 9), after He set Israel aside temporarily. He commissioned Paul with the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24), not the gospel of the Kingdom (Matt. 24:14). God revealed to Paul the “revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began” (Rom. 16:25). Paul received the revelation from the Lord Jesus Christ directly. He didn’t receive it from man, nor was he taught it by man either (Gal. 1:11,12).

Romans 11:11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

Since Israel fell, salvation has now come to the Gentiles. Romans 11:32 says that God has concluded us all (Jew and Gentile) in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon us all (Jew and Gentile).

God is now dealing with everyone on an individual basis, whereas before He was dealing with nations, particularly the nation of Israel. Salvation is now offered to everyone (Rom. 1:16; 3:22) by the grace of God. You don’t have to become a Jew to be saved. Once you believe in Christ Jesus as your personal Savior, you are immediately baptized (identified) into Christ’s body. You are placed into the Body of Christ, the church (Eph. 1:22,23). The Body of Christ is a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17). Every believer in the Dispensation of Grace (whether Jew or Gentile, male or female, bond or free) is now one new man (Eph. 2:14-18). Believers today are not Israel or spiritual Israel, they are a new creation. They are each a new creation individually. And they are all one new creation collectively. The new man or new creation is the Body of Christ.

Once the fullness of the Gentiles come in (Rom. 11:25), the Body of Christ will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air and be with Him forever at that point and God will resume the prophetic program with the nation of Israel. As the next verse says (Rom. 11:26), “and so all Israel will be saved.” God will resume His plans for her as a nation of priests. They will inherit the earth as it was promised to Abraham. They will receive the promised Messiah that was promised to come from David’s royal line. 

But, for the time being, we are still living in the Dispensation of Grace today. The message for today is to believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins, was buried, and rose again the third day (1 Cor. 15:1-4). If you believe in Him as your personal Savior and His finished work on the cross, then you will be saved. You will have eternal life in Christ Jesus! Please, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ today (2 Cor. 5:20,21)!

A Ransom for Many vs. A Ransom for All

Mark 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

1 Timothy 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

In Mark, Jesus Christ is talking to the twelve disciples and is telling them that He came to minister or to serve and to give His own life a ransom for many. In Matthew 21:43, Christ tells the leaders of Israel at that time that He will take the kingdom of God away from them and will give it to a nation bearing the fruits of it. He said He will give it to a nation, not nations. The nation is still the nation of Israel, but He will give it those in Israel who believe in His name, who believe that He is the Messiah. That will be the twelve disciples/apostles. Matthew 19:28 says that the twelve apostles will reign with Christ over the twelve tribes of Israel.

Paul says in Galatians 4:4 that Christ, in his earthly ministry, came to redeem those who were under the law. The law was given to Israel. They (Israel) were under the law. Paul also says about Israel in Romans 9:6 that “they are not all Israel who are of Israel.” So, Israel (the believing remnant of Israel) is the “many” that Christ is talking about in Mark 10:45. Christ, according to prophecy, came to redeem Israel, who was His chosen nation.

Christ later, according to His heavenly ministry, revealed to Paul that He (Christ) gave Himself a ransom for all. That was testified in due time. When? To the Apostle Paul. Now, while Gentiles could be saved under the law, at the same time they had to become a Jew in order to be saved. However, now it is revealed to Paul that because of Israel’s fall, not their rise, salvation has come to the Gentiles (Rom. 11:11).

Since salvation has now come to Gentiles, because of Israel’s fall, there is now no difference between Jew and Gentile (Gal. 3:28). God has concluded us all in unbelief, that He might have mercy upon us all (Rom. 11:32). God has broken down that middle wall of partition or separation that was between us (Eph. 2:14). God has reconciled both Jew and Gentile in one body through the cross (Eph. 2:16). So, you don’t have to become a Jew anymore to be saved. God is not dealing with man on a national basis. He is dealing with us on an individual basis. If anyone believes that Christ died for their sins personally, was buried, and rose again the third day, then they will be saved (1 Cor. 15:1-4; Acts 16:31). It doesn’t matter whether your Jew or Gentile, bond or free, male or female. All that matters is do you believe in Christ as your personal Savior? Do you believe that He died for you on your behalf? Christ died for all our sins! He died for everyone. He gave His life a ransom for all, in this Dispensation of Grace in which we live today.

This is one example that shows the importance of rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15).

The Beatitudes vs. The Dispensation of Grace

The beatitudes are written to the Jewish nation, Israel. It is not directly written to the church, the Body of Christ, for today. All of the beatitudes are conditional in nature. It tells the Jews that if they are this or if they do this, then they will receive blessing. If they don't do what is commanded, then they won't receive the blessing. The Mosaic Law itself was a conditional covenant or contract telling the Jews do certain things. And if they didn't, then they would be cursed, not blessed.

Today, however, during the Dispensation of Grace God is showing His love toward us even if we don't follow His perfect law. For the Scriptures tells us that we are all sinners and can't follow God's law perfectly (Rom. 3:19-23). But, God has shown His mercy because He loves us and by grace, He has provided salvation as well as all spiritual blessings as a free gift. The only requirement is if we believe in Him as our Lord and Savior. If we believe that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day, then we will be saved. Our salvation is not based on any work that we do (Eph. 2:8,9), but what God has done through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross.

Beatitudes vs. Dispensation of Grace

Justification by Faith

All of mankind are sinners by nature. We all have a sin nature. The moment we each were born into this world, we were placed into Adam. There are two kinds of people in this world. You are either a dead sinner or a living saint. Every sinner is “in Adam.” Every believer is “in Christ.” In order to go from death unto life, from being “in Adam” to being “in Christ,” it is necessary to be justified. To be justified means to made righteous.

We learn in the early chapters of Romans that there is none righteous among us.

Romans 3:10-11 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

Romans 3:19-20 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

The law makes everyone in the world guilty before God. We have sinned against God and continued to do so that there is no righteous person who could keep God’s perfect law. We can’t be justified by the deeds of the law (by following the law). The law itself reveals to us that we are sinners. We have all come short of the glory of God. So, how can one be saved and justified? Read Romans 3:21,22.

Romans 3:21-22 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

The righteousness of God without the law is manifested or revealed. The righteousness of God is by the faith (or faithfulness) of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ who is the Son of God, God Himself in the flesh, died on the cross of Calvary for all the sins of the world. He has offered salvation as a free gift to all, and upon all them that believe. He was obedient unto death, even the death of the cross (Phil. 2:8). It is offered to all, but it is only conferred upon those who believe (those who have faith that He died for them personally by dying for their sins).

2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

It is because of Christ’s finished work on the cross that we can be justified or made righteous. We are made the righteousness of God in Him or “in Christ.”

Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

We are justified freely (without a cause) by his grace. It is through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Salvation is made possible because of Christ’s work on the cross. We cannot save ourselves. So, we conclude as the Apostle Paul does in Romans 3:28 that “a man is justified by faith without [apart from] the deeds of the law.” To receive salvation and be justified (made righteous), all you have to do is believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day (1 Cor. 15:3,4).