TheosGuy

The following reading, Steps in the Christian Life is taken from F.E. Marsh’s, 500 Bible Readings.¹

THERE are some terms that relate to the Christian life which are of pressing importance, because of the issues involved in relation to them. The following seven words indicate a few aspects of the Christian’s life, namely, “Believe,” “Pray,” “Abide,” “Walk,” “Take,” “Stand,” “Watch.”

1. To believe on Christ is the secret of the Christian life (Galatians 2:20 NKJV).
2. To pray to Christ is the stay of the Christian life (Philippians 4:6 NKJV).
3. To abide in Christ is the strength of the Christian life (John 15:4 NKJV).
4. To walk as Christ is the shining out of the Christian life (1 Peter 2:21 NKJV).
5. To take from Christ is the supply of the Christian life (Isaiah 27:5 NKJV).
6. To stand with Christ is the staple of the Christian life (Ephesians 6:14 NKJV).
7. To watch for Christ is the standing order of the Christian life (Mark 13:33 NKJV). The term watchfulness is a comprehensive one. It signifies far more than merely holding the truth of the Lord’s coming. It covers the whole trend of the spiritual life in the variety of its traits.

1. 500 Bible Readings, Marsh, F.E., (London: Marshall Brothers, 1897). Reading number 382.

Tags: Christian Living, Marsh, Theology

Whatsoever is good for God’s children, they shall have it; for all is theirs to help them towards heaven; therefore if poverty be good, they shall have it; if disgrace, if erodes be good, they shall have them; for all is ours, to promote our greatest prosperity.

Though God deliver not out of trouble, yet he delivers from the ill in trouble, from despair in trouble, by supporting the spirit. Nay, he delivers by trouble, for he satisfies the trouble to cure the soul, and by less troubles he delivers from greater.

Richard Sibbes, Divine Meditations.

The following reading, Things We Obtain by Faith is taken from F.E. Marsh’s, 500 Bible Readings.¹

1. Salvation.. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” — Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV
2. Justification.. “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” — Romans 5:1 NKJV
3. Introduction.. “…through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” — Romans 5:2 NKJV
4. Adoption. “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus” — Galatians 3:26 NKJV
5. Sanctification. “…to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.” — Acts 26:18 NKJV
6. Purification. “…and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.” — Acts 15:9 NKJV
7. Occupation. “…that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,” — Ephesians 3:17 NKJV
8. Progression. “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” — 2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV
9. Preservation. “…who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” — 1 Peter 1:5 NKJV
10. Expectation. “For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.” — Galatians 5:5 NKJV

1. 500 Bible Readings, Marsh, F.E., (London: Marshall Brothers, 1897). Reading number 443.

Tags: Faith, Marsh, Theology

Dr. David Hocking in his study on Ephesians 2, indicated the following four characteristics of spiritual death (Ephesians 2:1). My added thoughts are included in blue.

1. An inability to discern spiritual matters (1 Cor 2:14)

   The “natural man” would include non-believers, but also could include carnal believers. We are told in 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 and Romans 8:1-7, that it is possible for the believer to operate in the realm of the “natural man” when he is not walking in the Spirit.

   The non-believer faces both inability and non-capacity for discerning spiritual matters. I think the carnal believer has the ability and has the capacity, but chooses not to operate in either, by walking in the flesh rather than walking in the Spirit.

2. An inability to receive any help from God (Psa 66:18; Isa 59:1-2)

   It may be that the only prayer of a non-believer that is guaranteed to be heard is the prayer of repentance and belief in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

3. An inability to produce any true good in the eyes of the LORD (Rom 3:10-12)

   I am reminded of the words of Christ that tell me what my personal efforts produce.

   John 15:5 NKJV – “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

4. An inability to please God (Rom 8:6-8)

   Colossians 1:10 NKJV – that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;