03/01
The word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
Spirit of Bible
The Bible is not a book of moral law, but a book that witnesses the way to the source of morality, God. Thus it discloses God's will to humans according to their stage of development. The Bible does not say the slave system should be abolished. But it destroyed the foundation of the slave system by teaching that human is God's son. The Bible does not enforce renunciation of war. But it is turning war as "not-to-be" by teaching the reason why the human soul is so precious. The Bible teaches the fundamentals of morality, and not its formality. This in itself proves the Bible is the word of God.
03/02
Not everyone who says to Me, "Lord, Lord," shall enter the Nation of Heaven, but one who does the will of My Father in Heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, "Lord, Lord, Did we not prophesy in Your name, and through Your name throw out demons, and through Your name do many wonderful works?" And then I will say to them, "I never knew you. Depart from Me, those working iniquity." Matthew 7:21-23
Baptism of Heart
Who is a Christian? The baptism and membership of a church does not make a Christian. What makes a Christian is to do God's will and to follow Lord Jesus Christ. It does not matter whatever the form and the name appear outwardly. True baptism comes only from the Holy Spirit, not from the formal ritual of a church. It therefore is baptism of the heart, performed not by human but by God. Human sees outward but God inward. Worldly human seeks outward guarantee of baptism, but a true Christian treasures God's baptism inwardly.
03/03
Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the Nation of heaven. Matthew 5: 3
Poor in Spirit
Anyone who wants to be wealthy in heaven must be poor on earth. Moreover poverty shall be of the soul rather than of the flesh. In poverty, one can stand upright and honorable toward Heaven. Such a person is really wealthy spiritually, though poor materially. Poverty is two kinds: external and internal. Spiritual poverty is to account nothing for one's self. Its example is Paul the Apostle. He was poor in spirit, having no wisdom to boast of, no virtue to rely on, while behaving, as he confessed, as "the chief of sinners" (I Timothy 1:15). He was, as a matter of fact, humiliated to the uttermost bottom before God; but, by getting his virtues appraised in Christ, he was lifted up heavenward in glory.
03/04
By Christ were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers; all things were created by him, and for him; And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. Colossians 1:16-17
Jesus and Universe
Christ is the center of the universe; Jesus of Nazareth is the revelation of the innermost power of the universe. Love is the power which moves and upholds the universe, and Jesus' love is the highest and deepest and purest one. To say, therefore, that "the universe consists (holds together) in Him" is conceivable. It reveals that the uniting power of the Pleiades and the Orion originates in this love. Not as a church-dogma, but as a serene transcendental truth we can accept this wonderful statement by inspired Paul. Jesus, my savior, is the central power of the universe. Immensity itself is thus brought to a focus in my little heart.
03/05
They came to a place named Gethsemane. And Jesus said to His disciples, . . . My soul is exceedingly sorrowful to death. Stay here and watch. And He went forward a little and fell on the ground. And He prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. And He said, Abba, Father, all things are possible to You. Take away this cup from Me. Yet not what I will, but what You will. Mark 14:32, 34-36
Suffering of Cross
Tribulation on Christ's flesh symbolizes His spiritual sorrow. Grace of redemption comes not from His nervous pain but from His spiritual suffering. Not Calvary (where He was crucified) but Gethsemane (where He prayed alone throughout the night before His capture) is the very site where human sins were redeemed. My sins put the crown of thorns upon Christ's head. My sins caused Him to drink a better cup and nailed Him on the cross. This should never be rejected as a superstition.
03/06
Commit your way to the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your judgment as the noonday. Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him. Psalms 37: 5-7
Submit to God
God lives. He never leaves things as they go. He will, instead of you, accomplish what you should do. It is a truth that God helps those who help themselves. But it is a greater truth that God saves those who submit themselves to Him. Faith does not mean idleness. It means submitting one's own way to God's aid and waiting for its accomplishment. Constant prayer is necessary for this. Watchfulness should not be neglected. We must believe that God's will cannot fail to realize throughout the universe and human life, inasmuch as these are sustained by living God. And thus believing and thus acting, there cannot be any doubt about fruition by God's hand of what we wish to attain. "He will do this." All believers' peace rests upon this word. Nothing should be unsuccessful as long as we believe and wait.
03/07
A good tree does not bring forth corrupt fruit, neither does a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Luke 6:43
Fruits of Faith
It is evident that by looking up to Jesus the fruit of our faith will gradually ripen within. The fruit of faith, as clearly seen, brings about health of body and spirit, as well as an integration of personality. But faith should not at once be take account for its result. Faith alone by its own accord, should be the sole power of salvation. Expecting the result of faith, we will be disappointed. If human can be saved by only the result of one's faith, there will be no hope forever of being saved. Faith as such will bring the unbounded joy of peace within.
03/08
The Father would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner person; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith. Ephesians 3:16
Love to Christ
We should not inquiry other's faith, like an examiner who tests pupils' understanding, by saying "Do you know this or that?" Faith is not of the knowledge, but of the heart. It is exactly how much we think of Christ. A Believer joys an enduring love to Christ. If not, he or she is an unbeliever. No one who comprehends Christianity, but one who loves Christ is a true believer.
03/09
The Lord is the spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:17
Christ is Spirit
Lord Christ is a particular spirit. His spirit is not "a spirit in human" (Job 32: 8), but the spirit to originate a new life; that is, the spirit of the inner being. It is an embryo of new life as told "for God's seed remains in him" (1 John 3: 9). With this seed planted within, one's spiritual being begins to grow, even into an everlasting life after resurrection and heavenly ascension. This is explained by the Lord as "I am the resurrection, and the (eternal) life" (John 11:25). A Christian's resurrection cannot be apart from Jesus. Resurrection can only occur with Jesus, yea, in Him alone.
Pre
Up
Next