Unity # 21: Restoration of the Regenerate

 Unity # 21: Restoration of the Regenerate

Theme Song: Let Faith Arise 

Dear Father,

Have I made You the Lord of my life? No, I did not. You are our Lord and in Your Lordship You cause us to acknowledge that You are Lord more and more. You are Lord of my heart, Lord of my dear saint-friends, and Lord of Your bride. Thank You that in every generation You are perfecting the love and the light of the knowledge of Your glory in the souls of Your people. You teach us together and lead us in one heart, one way, and one mind. For we are all driven by the Mind of your Son, the Firstborn of all creation. Please revive us, restore us, and give us Your strength. Purify our hearts to see Your glory in Your divine restoration. Jesus Christ is Lord and He has come in the flesh.

In Jesus Christ's Name,

Amen 

Dear Beloved,

One the main themes in this series of unity letters is the work of the Spirit who inhabits our being to effect increasing measuring of holiness and the ongoing bearing of fruit in our lives. To continue in ongoing unrepentant sin is in awful contradiction to our new natures made to be like Christ in true righteousness and holiness. So what happens when we fall? What has happened to you when you strayed from God at some point after being regenerated? What is happening to your lingering strongholds and weaknesses? We who know the Good Shepherd are witnesses of His divine restoration preceded by the conviction of the Spirit, the Fatherly discipline, and the witness of our faithful Lord Jesus Christ who has offered His own blood, the Blood of the Covenant. A righteous man falls seven times and rises again (Prov 24:16). Oh, what a glorious restoration the Trinity brings about in the lives of the true children when they have fallen. This restoration happens in His beautiful time and way. The Hebrew Word for restoration means “to bring back”. This restoration results in renewed sweet fellowship with Christ. 

In God's eternal covenant spoken through Jeremiah He promises to not stop doing good to His people. He will put the fear of Himself in their hearts so that they will not turn away from Him. He will rejoice over them to do them good and will faithfully plant them in the land of Himself with all His heart and with all His soul. (Jer 32:40-41) In the same way, we know that God causes all things to work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called to His purpose. Those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the Image of His Son so that He would be the Firstborn among many brethren. And these whom He predestined He also called and these whom He called He also justified. And these whom He justified He also glorified. (Rom 8:28-30) So even though we sin and stray for a time as believers, we must remember that God has never stopped doing good to us because the curse and penalty for our sin has been removed. He will indeed remove whatever hinders our

fellowship with Him and ongoing belief in the Gospel. In the process of that refinement, we will see His glory and will experience a double portion of His greatness. As God says, "Return to the stronghold O prisoners who have the hope. This very day I am declaring that I will restore double to you(Zech 9:12)". The Lord will be zealous for His Kingdom among His people and will have pity on His people. He will answer and speak to them Words of restoration. He will send them the blessings of knowing Christ and will remove the power of sin from their lives. He tells them not to fear, but to be glad in the Lord their God. He promises that He has given them the early rain, the living Water of His Word, for their vindication. They will again bear fruit. The desolation of the Fatherly discipline will be removed and He will make up for the creeping, stripping, and gnawing locust-eaten years. They will have an abundance in the Body and Blood of Christ. We will praise the Name of our God who has dealt wonderfully with us and we will never be put to shame. Thus we will know that He is in the midst of His people. He has poured His promised Holy Spirit on us that we may prophesy, dream dreams, and see visions of what is portrayed in the all-sufficient Word of God. (Joel 2:18-19) 

What happens when we have strayed? God tells the Israelites, “So it shall be when all of these things have come upon you, the blessing and the curse which I have set before you, and you call them to mind in all nations where the LORD your God has banished you, 2 and you return to the LORD your God and obey Him with all your heart and soul according to all that I command you today, you and your sons, 3 then the LORD your God will restore you from captivity, and have compassion on you, and will gather you again from all the peoples where the LORD your God has scattered you. 4 If your outcasts are at the ends of the earth, from there the LORD your God will gather you, and from there He will bring you back. 5 The LORD your God will bring you into the land which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it; and He will prosper Deut 30" Dear saints, God tells us to you and multiply you more than your fathers.humble ourselves under the mighty Hand of God that He may exalt us at the proper time, casting all our anxiety on Him because He cares for us. We must of sober spirit and on the alert for our adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. We must resist him, standing firm in our faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by our brethren here in the world. After we have suffered a little while, the God of all grace who called us to His eternal glory in Christ will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish us. To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 5:6-11)

The fruit of His divine restoration is far greater than everything we feel we may have lost. Why? Because remember that He never stops doing good to His children and He is working everything for their good that they may have the increasing knowledge of Christ. And remember that knowing Christ is eternal life. For this reason James tells us to consider it all joy when we encounter various trials knowing that the testing of our faith produces endurance and let endurance have its perfect result so that we may be perfect and complete lacking in nothing. In this we greatly rejoice even though now for a while, if necessary, we have been distressed by various trial so that the proof of our faith being more precious than gold which is perishable even when tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory ,and honor, at the revelation of Jesus Christ. And though we have not seen Him, we love Him. And though we do not see Him now, we believe in Him,. We rejoice greatly with joy inexpressible and full of glory obtaining as the outcome of our faith, the salvation of our soul. (1 Peter 1:6-9) 

Divine restoration of our souls when we have gone astray is a work of God to move our hearts to repentance to the throne of grace so that we may continue to bear fruit unto His glory. God tells us to return though we have been faithless. We will return willingly and yet it is His spirit who causes us to do so because God remains faithful to His covenant with His people. He will not look on us with anger for He is gracious. We must only acknowledge our iniquity, that we have transgressed against the Lord our God, and have scattered our favors to the strangers under every green tree and have not obeyed His Voice. He tells us to return though we have been faithless children for He is a Master to us. (Jer 3:12-14) And He will bring us back to sweet fellowship with Himself. He is our good Shepherd and by His rod of discipline we will no longer walk in the stubbornness of our wicked behavior. 

Dear saints, we have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in our striving against sin. And we ought not to forget the exhortation which addresses us as sons that we, as children of God, should not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord nor faint when we are reproved by Him. For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines and He scourges every son whom He receives. God disciplines us for our good so that we may share in His holiness. All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful but sorrowful. But for those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. Therefore we should strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble and make straight paths for our feet. So that the limb which is lame may not be out of joint but rather healed. (Heb 12) God heals our former faithlessness. We come to Him because He is the Lord our God. Surely the hills of our idolatry are a deception, a tumult on the mountains. Surely in the Lord our God is the salvation of His people. (Jer 3:22-23) God has heard our grief. He has chastised us and we are chastised as an untrained calf. He will bring us back that we may be restored for He is the Lord our God. (Jer 31:18) Jeremiah speaks of God's divine restoration: " 10 “For thus says the LORD, ‘When seventy years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill My good word to you, to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will restore your fortunes and will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into Jer 29” If we return to God, He restores us. We will stand before Him and if we exile. extract the preciousness of Christ from the worthless world, we will be His spokespeople. The people of the world may turn to us, but we must not turn to them. (Jer 15:19) 

As God's children, we should not stray. And if we do sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous (1 John 2:1). If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the Truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:8-9) Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, we should arm ourselves also with the same purpose because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men but for the will of God. (1 Pet 4:1-2) In our straying may we weep and may our eyes stream down with water because we long to be with our Comforter, the One who restores our souls (Lam 1:16). May we call out to the Lord that we may be restored and to renew our days as of old (Lam 5:21). When we do not walk with Spirit, we are slaves. Yet, in our bondage our God has not forsaken us, but has extended loving kindness in the sight of others to give us reviving to raise up His house. (Ez 9:9) The God of hosts restores us, causes His Face to shine upon us, and we are saved (Ps 80:9). He restores to us the joy of His salvation and sustains us with a willing Spirit (Ps 51:12). The salvation of God's people has been achieved. When God restores His captive people, they are glad together and called the city of righteousness, the faithful city, the abode of righteousness, the holy hill (Jer 31:23, Is 1:26). He restores our soul. He guides us in the paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake. (Ps 23:3) He sustains us on our sickbed. In our illness He restores us to health. As Hezekiah prayed when God restored Him from His lethal illness, “O Lord, by these things men live, and in all these is the life of my spirit; O restore me to health and let me live!Is 38:16". He restores the ones who are preserved in the Father's hands. He also makes us a light of the nations so that His salvation may reach the ends of the earth (Is 49:6). We shall know the Truth and the Truth shall set us free. We are no longer slaves to sin, but we are slaves to His righteousness. He sees our ways but He will heal us. He will lead us and restore comfort to us and to those who mourn because of us. (Is 57:18)

God restores us because He is faithful to the glory of His Name. When we are faithless during our straying, He remains faithful for He cannot deny Himself (2 Tim 2:13). Thus He restores us to Himself in His time. He restores the fortune of His people and has mercy on His whole house. He will be jealous for His holy Name. (Ez 39:25) Not only will there be certain restoration, but there is a harvest appointed for them when they are restored (Hos 6:11). They will rebuild the ruined cities and will live in them. They will also plant vineyards and drink their wine and make their gardens and eat their fruit. (Amos 9:14) When He brings us back and gathers us together, He will indeed give us praise and renown among the people of the earth when He restores our fortunes before our eyes (Zeph 3:20). What is our fortune? Our fortune is knowing Christ! The glory which the Father has given the Son, the Son has given to us so that we may be one just as the Trinity is One. Christ in us, and the Father in Christ, that we may be perfected in unity so that the world the world may know that the Father has sent Christ and has loved us even as He has loved the Son. (John 17:22-24) 

Dear saints, we must be on our guard. If our brother sins, we must rebuke him and if he repents we must forgive him. And if he sins against us seven times a day and returns to us seven times saying “”, we must forgive him because we have been I repentforgiven of our infinite debt (Luke 17:4). If anyone is caught in any trespass we who are spiritual should restore the one in a spirit of gentleness each one looking to ourselves so that we too will not be tempted. We must bear one another’s burdens and therefore fulfill the law of Christ. (Gal 6:1-2) Our prayers offered in faith will Lord-willing restore the one who is sick and the Lord will raise him up and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. (James 5:14-15) Christ restores the hearts of the father to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers so that He will not come and smite the land with a curse (Mal 4:6). The words of the prophets agree when they proclaim that Christ will rebuild the tabernacle which has fallen and rebuild its ruins. He will restore it so that the rest of mankind will seek the Lord and all the Gentiles who are called by His Name. The Lord has spoken and decreed these things known from long ago. (Acts 15:15-18)

Dear saints, because we have a righteous standing in Christ and His blood-bought robe of righteousness covers us, our Father treats us as righteous. So even when we have strayed, He never stopped showing us His goodness. For the blessings and bestowing of wisdom and love through His glorious restoration more than make up for what we feel that we were losing in the time of straying and the sorrow of His discipline. Thus, in spite of our failures He is progressively sanctifying us and conforming us into the Image of His Son. In all our afflictions He is afflicted and the Angel of His Presence saves us. In His love and mercy, He has redeemed us. And He lifts us and carries us all the days of old. (Is 63:9) He is the Lord of the Universe and the Lord of His Bride. 

Love in Christ,

Preethi

Unity # 20: He Has Provided All

Unity # 20: He Has Provided All

Theme Song: By Faith

Dear Father,

     Your glory will be revealed to all mankind. You are the Great King, the Mighty Warrior by our side. What a dreadful thing it is to fall into Your Hands, the Hands of the living God. Teach us to keep Your Name holy, not to speak of You in vain, but to uphold Your true Character: Your justice, Your infinite unfailing love for righteousness and Your people and Your infinite and dreadful hatred against wickedness and all that is devoted to destruction. We do not want to leave You, Abba, Father. Where else can we go? Help me to have Christ’s attitude towards all men. Jesus Christ is Lord and He has come in the Flesh.

In Jesus Christ’s Name,

Amen

Dear Beloved,

     In last week’s letter, I spoke of the Covenant of Peace which God has established for His people through the blood of Christ. By this Covenant, we are reconciled to God through Christ, and experience the eternal Life of knowing Christ. This knowledge of Christ increases over time in the lives of all believers until they see Him Face to face and the knowledge of Christ is perfected. Even when the children of God stray, the result of the Shepherd’s discipline and omnipotent search-warrant is a peaceful harvest of righteousness and a magnificent restoration marked by exceeding underserved Spiritual growth. He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or think. As God spoke through the prophet Zechariah , “Return to the stronghold, O prisoners who have the hope; this very day I am declaring that I will restore double to you” (Zech 9:12). He repays the locust eaten years of His painful loving discipline. This letter is about God’s certain provision of all the needs of all of His people from all time through His grace shown at the cross.

     Dear saints, our God will truly supply all of our needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Phil 4:19). This promise is not simply for some saints, or with regard to some or most of their needs. God surely will meet all of our needs. Those of us who feel that we lack something, whether  Spiritually or physically, can trust in the faithful Provider for He will surely give His children all that they need. King David said, “I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread. All day long he is gracious and lends, and his descendants are a blessing (Ps 37:25-26).” An important principle we must consider is God’s perspective of what is considered a need in our lives. For many lust and do not have so they commit murder. Some are envious and cannot obtain, so they fight and quarrel. God says that they ask and do not receive because they ask with wrong motives, so that they may spend it on their pleasures. Those who are friends with the world are adulteresses and live in hostility towards God. For whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us. He gives us a greater grace. He is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. (James 4:1-6). Thus, our needs do not involve anything that is born either consciously or subconsciously from a love for the world. Rather our needs involve what is a part of God’s will for our souls to be preserved under His New Covenant. For He has made an everlasting Covenant with us, ordered in all things, and secured; for all our salvation and all our desire, will He not indeed make it grow (2 Sam 23:5)? Our needs comprise of whatever is required according to the will of God for each of His children to be sanctified entirely by the God of peace and for our spirits, souls, and bodies to be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls us, and He also will bring it to pass. (1 Thess 5:23-24) Remember the great salvation that our Lord Jesus Christ has accomplished for us. The Father who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written, “For Your sake we are being put to death all day long; we were considered as sheep to be slaughtered”. But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loves us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom 8:32-29) Dear saints, because we have been regenerated, our only desire is to know Christ, to glorify Him, to obey Him, and to remain in Him. Thus, our only needs are what our Father deems necessary for these things to be fulfilled in our lives. So may we never fear or worry over our earthly needs, for our Father has secured our souls for eternity. He has secured our justification and our progressive sanctification both of which comprise the eternal Life of knowing Christ, our only heart’s desire. Christ tells us not to be worried about our life, as to what we will eat or drink nor for our body, as to what we will put on. For those who are not regenerated and still love the world seek all these things. Our heavenly Father knows that we need all these things. But we must seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to us. (Matt 6:25-33)

     We have been discussing that when people profess Christ as Savior, and yet continually refuse to obey Him, they undergo the irreversible hardening of the heart resulting in damnation (Heb 10). Thus, if our needs are those very things required for our ongoing perseverance in our faith, our needs consist of what is required for our obedience and ongoing bearing of good fruit/works and what is required for our escape from temptation. God is able to make all grace abound to us, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, we may have an abundance for every good deed. He scattered abroad. He gave to the poor. His righteousness endures forever. He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply our seed for sowing and increase the harvest of our righteousness; we will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God. Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for our obedience to our confession of the Gospel of Christ and for the liberality of our contribution to the saints. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! (2 Cor 9:8-15). Now the God of peace who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal Covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equips us in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever, Amen (Heb 13:20-21). God grants us the request made in the Lord prayer to lead us not into temptation, but to deliver us from evil. For no temptation has overtaken us but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that we will be able to endure it (1 Cor 10).

     Often our needs are for the Words that proceed from the mouth of God. It is written that man shall not live on bread alone, but on every Word that proceeds out of the mouth of God (Matt 4:4). Often we cry out for greater filling of the Holy Spirit. If we, even when we were evil, knew how to give good gifts to our children, how much more will our heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him (Luke 11:13)? Jesus said that if anyone is thirsty, let him come to Him and drink. Those who believe in Him, as the Scripture says, from his innermost being will flow rivers of living water. Here Jesus was speaking of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive. (John 7:37-39) Often we need wisdom. If anyone of us lacks wisdom, we should ask of God, who gives to all generously without reproach, and wisdom will be granted to us. But we must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. That man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (James 1:5-8) Other times, we need gratitude, hope, joy, and peace. Paul prayed that the Colossians would be firmly rooted and built up in Him and established in their faith, just as they were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude (Col 2:7). He prayed for the Romans that the God of hope would fill them with all joy and peace in believing, so that they will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom 15:13).

     As Jesus said, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him” (Matt 7:7-11). For those who are regenerated, they abide in Christ, and His Word abides in them. Thus, when they ask for anything according to His will and in His Name, it will be granted to them (John 15:7).

     When God’s children are temporarily trusting in the things of the world to satisfy them He may do to them as He did to the Israelites. He led them in the wilderness for forty year that He might humble and test them to know what was in their heart, whether they would keep His commandments or not. He humbled them and let them be hungry, and fed them with manna which neither they nor their fathers knew, that He might make them understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord. In His grace, their clothing did not wear out on them, nor did their feet swell during those 40 years. (Deut 8:2-4) In the weakness of His people, His glory and strength are revealed to them. Though Paul pleaded three times that the thorn in his flesh would be removed, God told Paul that His grace is sufficient for him, and that His power is perfected in weakness. For this thorn was given to Paul to keep him from exalting himself. In fact, though Paul initially prayed for the thorn, the tormenting messenger of Satan, to be removed, God gave him the thorn as a gift to prevent him from becoming proud unto damnation because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations. As Paul understood this he said, “Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Cor 12:7-10). He was filled with comfort and overflowed with joy in all his and his fellow saints’ affliction (2 Cor 7:4). For in a great deal of affliction and deep poverty of the saints the abundance of joy overflowed in the wealth of their liberality (2 Cor 8:2).

     The Lord says that behold, He extends peace to us like a river, and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream (Is 66:12). He tells those who thirst to come to the waters. He tells those with no money to come, buy, and eat. He asks us why we spend money on what is not bread and our wages on what does not satisfy. He tells us to listen carefully to Him, and eat what is good, and delight ourselves in abundance. He tells us to delight ourselves in His abundance, to incline our ears and come to Him, to listen that we may live. For He has made an everlasting Covenant with us! (Is 55:1-3)

     Dear saints, listen to Paul’s introduction in his letter to the Ephesians:

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, ⁴ just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love ⁵ He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, ⁶ to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. ⁷ In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace ⁸ which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight ⁹ He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him ¹⁰ with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him¹¹  also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, ¹² to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.  Eph 1

Excellent Messages:

10 Written Sermons by Spurgeon on the Passion and Death of Christ

Final Judgment Sermon by John Piper

Dying as a Means of Loving Sermon by John Piper

Love in Christ,

Preethi

Unity # 19: The Covenant of Peace

Unity # 19: The Covenant of Peace

Theme Song: O Mighty Cross

Dear Father,

     You are our Life, our King, strong and mighty to save. There is no one worthy like You to receive praise, honor, and glory. Please forgive me for the impatience of my flesh and teach me to trust in You like a child. Thank You for the saving peace that You have established by Your blood by which we are reconciled to You. There was no peace for us before we knew You, but now You Yourself, Jesus, are our peace. Help us to do what is better: to drink and eat from the Life of Christ, to know Him with our whole beings, and to sit at Your feet. Please bless Your people everywhere to cry out to You for revival and bring it soon. Just a few more days, and we will be with You. Jesus Christ is Lord and He has come in the flesh.

In Jesus Christ’s Name,

Amen

Dear Beloved,

     In last week’s letter we discussed the eternal Life that is granted to all those who have been regenerated. This eternal Life starts at the time of conversion and is the state of knowing Christ. Our knowledge of Christ will surely grow over time until we see Him Face to face, and we are perfected in His love, joy, peace, and righteousness for all eternity.  This letter is about the Covenant of Peace which God has established for all of His people. Because of the peace made between God and man, man is able to have the eternal Life of knowing Christ that we discussed. Prior to our regeneration we had no peace; the Lord says that there is no peace for the wicked (Is 48:22). We did not know the way of peace, and there was no justice in our tracks. We had made our paths crooked, and those who treaded on us did not know peace (Is 59:8). The false leaders among us sought to superficially heal our brokenness by proclaiming peace to us, but there was no peace (Jer 6:14). Even when we thought that we had peace, it became a trap and a snare (Ps 69:22) because it never lasted, and we would be destroyed under this false peace. Formerly, we were alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds. Yet, it was our Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in His Son, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven.  He has established peace for us by reconciling us in His fleshly body through death, that is our sinful nature was destroyed with Christ, in order to present us before Him holy, blameless, and beyond reproach—if indeed we continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the Gospel, which we heard and which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven (Col 1:19-23). Dear saints, we will come forth as righteous on the Day of Judgment only if we continue in our faith until the end. God speaks peace to His people, to His Godly ones, but let them not turn back to folly (Ps 85:8).

     God extends His offer of peace to all of His children. For example, when the Angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he was afraid, but God told him “Peace to you, do not fear; you shall not die”. Gideon then built an altar there to the Lord and named it “THE LORD IS PEACE”. (Judges 6:22-24) Often, when God appeared to His people in Scriptures, He proclaimed peace to them as the initial greeting. Now apart from the Law, the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. (Rom 3:21-26)

     Our peace with God also results in peace with all those who have been granted the same peace. Now in Christ Jesus we who were formerly far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. From now on we recognize no one according to the flesh, that is, from an earthly point of view, though we used to know Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in that way no longer. If we are in Christ, we are new creatures; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the Word of reconciliation. We are ambassadors, therefore, for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. God made Christ who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Cor 5:16-21)  How lovely on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who announce peace and bring good news of happiness, who announce salvation and tell Zion that her God reigns (Is 52:7). The seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace (James 3:18). He Himself is our peace, who made the Jews and the rest of the people of God from all nations into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by having put to death the enmity. He came and preached peace to us who were far away and peace to us who were near. Through Christ we have our access in one Spirit to the Father. So we are no longer strangers and aliens, but we are fellow citizens with all the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the Cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit. (Eph 2:13-22) Now all the people of God are to Him a Name of joy, praise, and glory before all the nations of the earth which will hear of all the good that He does for them, and they will fear and tremble because of all the good and all the peace that He makes for it (Jer 33:9).

     Therefore, dear saints, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a self-righteous man; though perhaps for a good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, shall we be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. As we deny ourselves, we share in His sufferings. And as we fellowship with Him we know His love, joy, and peace; we know eternal life. And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. (Rom 5:1-11)

     The Counsel of the Old Testament elaborated greatly on God’s extension of the Covenant of Peace to His people. The Lord said through the prophet Isaiah that He extends peace to His people like a river, and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream (Is 66:12) For a Child would be born, a Son would be given to them; and the government would rest on His shoulders; and His Name is called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this. (Is 9:6-7). He will create the praise of our lips. He would proclaim peace, peace to those who are far and to those who are near and God would heal them (Is 57:19). He willbring health and healing to His people; and He will reveal to them an abundance of peace and Truth (Jer 33:6). For He makes a Covenant of Peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant. He will place them and multiply them, and will set His sanctuary in their midst forever (Ez 37:26). Dear saints, we are the temple of the living God! There will be peace for the Seed of Christ: the vine will yield its fruit, the land will yield its produce and the heavens will give their dew; He will cause the remnant of His people to inherit all these things (Zech 8:12). For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake, but His lovingkindness will not be removed from us, and His Covenant of Peace will not be shaken says the Lord who has compassion on you (Is 54:10). The Covenant of Peace was made through Christ, our High Priest. He revered His Father and stood in awe of His Name. True instruction was in His mouth and unrighteousness was not found on His lips; He walked with His Father in peace and uprightness, and He turned many back from iniquity. For the lips of the Priest should preserve knowledge, and men should seek instruction from His mouth; for He is a messenger of the Lord of hosts. (Mal 2:5-7). He vindicates the afflicted of the people, saves the children of the needy, crushes the oppressor. They fear Him while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations. He comes down like rain upon the mown grass, like showers that water the earth. In His days the righteous flourish, and abundance of peace till the moon is no more. (Ps 72:4-7) Dominion and awe belong to Him who establishes peace in His heights (Job 25:2).

     Our reconciliation to God through the blood of Christ affects us in all ways. The Lord has established peace for us, since He has also performed for us all our works (Is 26:12). For He has given His people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, with which the sunrise from on high will visit us, to shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. (Luke 1:77-79) Christ leaves with and gives us His peace; not as the world gives, but a peace that comes from Him. For in the world we will have tribulation, but He has overcome the world and so we may have courage. He tells us not to let our hearts be troubled or fearful. (John 14:27, John 16:33) The work of Christ’s righteousness is peace, and the service of His righteousness is quietness and confidence forever (Is 32:17) Our minds controlled by faith are steadfast and the steadfast of mind, God keeps in perfect peace, because they trust in Him (Is 26:2). In peace we both lie down and sleep, for He alone, the Lord, makes us to dwell in safety (Ps 4:8). The mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace (Rom 8:6). The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace (Ps 29:11). We are to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, to which indeed we were called in one body; and we are to be thankful (Col 3:15). We are to depart from evil and do good; to seek peace and pursue it (Ps 34:14). Remember that the desires of the regenerate are for the righteousness of Christ. Those who love God’s Law have great peace, and nothing causes them to stumble (Ps 119:165). Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but counselors of peace have joy (Prov 12:20). May the Lord of peace Himself continually grant us peace in every circumstance. He is with us! (2 Thess 3:16)

     Not everyone delights and exults in our peace. As the Psalmist wrote, “⁵ Woe is me, for I  sojourn in Meshech, for I dwell among the tents of Kedar! ⁶ Too long has my soul had its dwelling with those who hate peace. ⁷ I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war. Ps 120” But He will redeem our soul in peace from the battle which is against us, for they are many who strive against us (Ps 55:18). The God of peace will soon crush Satan under our feet (Rom 16:20). Dear saints, now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit, soul, and body by preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass. (1 Thess 5:23-25)

Excellent Messages:

What is Baptism and Does it Save? Essay by John Piper

Dr. Lloyd Jones on the Altar Call Article

Pray and Be Alone With God Sermon by Paul Washer 52 min

Summary of our Trip to Indiana: Our family went to Indiana for the past several days to spend time with Anand and Prasanna. God always has a glorious purpose for each of our traveling experiences. The Spirit taught me through Anand’s pastor about the Light of God’s glory invading the darkness of sin, gloom, hopelessness, despair, slavery, apathy, everything in the world apart from Him. I felt the Spirit’s promise that I will continue to see the Light of His glory in increasing measure in the time ahead. And whenever the worst trials, temptations, and burdens would come upon me, His Light will always dispel the darkness. Our family was also encouraged to pursue intimacy with Christ above all else and to pray for revival (also from Anand’s pastor). Our work for the Lord flows out from and its efficacy is dependent on our intimacy with Christ (See Ps 63). I understood more about baptism in the process of understanding from Anand that a certain false Gospel called “baptismal regeneration” exists even among seemingly God-fearing people from all ages (the heart of which seems to be the opposite extreme of free grace theology). The external act of being baptized is an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Pet 3:21). The outward act of baptism is a due response of the inner saving regenerating work of the Spirit. Finally, I learned that the true Gospel and the right Doctrine are vindicated by the fruit of love and obedience in those who hold fast to them. Thus, by our fruit we know that we abide in the Truth and that we have eternal Life. (see 1 John) We were also able to spend time fellowshipping with several of Anand’s friends and Anand Uncle, Lois Aunty, Timothy, and Abby who know the Counsel of God’s Word and desire to know Christ above all else. I am amazed how God enables Anand to make such blessed friends. On the drive back home, I realized that God had improved my deliberation to pursue Him and His Kingdom in the past few months and deepened my understanding of His Word in an unimaginable way. He has also increased my love for the saints and their righteous acts of faith and love. I never thought that my life would become what it is now, but I praise Him, and I long to desire to be with Christ! I pray that He continues to discipline me and remove from me everything that hinders my obedience and love. This song is in honor of and love for Anand and Prasanna: O Mighty Cross  

Love in Christ,

Preethi