Welcome, friends, to another
broadcast of Morsels for Zion's Poor. Many so-called Christians
say they believe in the power of prayer, but yet they deny
the power of the one who they supposedly call upon in those
prayers. Prayer for the true sons of God
is not enhanced by prayer chains, vain repetitions, or the prayers
of clergymen, healers, and prophets. The only comfort for the true
sons of God in the place of prayer is that the true and living God
is in the midst of those prayers. We do not believe in the power
of prayer, but in the one who moves his people to pray. Because
nominal Christianity has been the mainstream religion in America
for over 250 years, many people assume that most Americans are
Christians. It is most especially true that
here in the South there is an even greater assumption that
those who belong to fundamental denominations which emphasize
a decision for Christ are indeed the true sons of God. The denomination
which I grew up in equates being born again with making a profession
of faith, walking down a church aisle, joining the church, or
being baptized in water. They consider it to be sacrilegious
to call into question anyone's conversion, since most are convinced
that it is in the power of men to become the sons of God by
an act of their own free will. They would say if a man has ever
asked Jesus into his heart, then he must be forever saved because
salvation is equated with the man's decision rather than God's. Even among those who have a little
more sound doctrinal understanding, the conversion of men is often
assumed to be true because men continue to operate in a quasi-religious
state, making an outward attempt to follow the precepts of Christ.
On the other hand, there's no shortage of regeneration judges
who have many and varied tests they use to determine who they
think is regenerated and who is not. Their tests usually consist
of determining if someone lines up with their own doctrinal views,
in which case they may give someone a suspicious benefit of the doubt.
They are quick to pronounce anathema upon all those who would dare
to question their infallible systems of regeneration detection.
Usually these detectors group themselves into little cliques
or mutual admiration societies, also known as preacher games,
from which to view the world from afar. I find very little
evidence in the scriptures that we are seeking to determine the
regeneration status of others, but I find quite a bit of support
for the concept of self-examination. None of God's children should
ever assume that they are the sons of God or take for granted
their status as one of his elect children. Paul says, examine
yourselves, whether you be in the faith. The faith of God's
elect is not something they have so much as it is something they
are in. This is not temporary nor passing, but it is something
they continue in. They stand fast in it, unmoved
by outward or inward influences. As Peter testified, Lord, thou
hast the words of eternal life. They are rooted and established
in it, not easily swayed by every wind of doctrine. They are steadfast
in it, even in the face of the devil. Paul said, examine yourselves,
that is, prove or test yourself. One must never assume that he
is a child of God because of past experiences. He is a very
present help in time of trouble. The elect desire to continually
document their standing before the Lord, knowing that a citizen
of that holy nation must possess the credentials necessary to
prove his citizenship. But let every man prove his own
work. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the spirit
of his son into your heart, crying, Abba, Father. Knowing what the
truth is is of vital importance to the sons of God. God does
not leave his children in darkness. The elect of God are not those
who are ever learning but never able to come to the knowledge
of the truth. His sheep hear his voice and follow him. Our
self-examination is not on the basis of someone else's ideas
of what the truth is, but upon that truth which he has shown
us concerning himself in the scriptures. What do you think
of Christ? If you are a child of God, then
Jesus Christ is in you, to whom God would make known what is
the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which
is Christ in you, the hope of glory. He has now given to his
elect, which are born again, a living hope. The Old Testament
saints could never see the glory of that which is plainly revealed
to the sons of God in the present time. Jesus Christ himself is
the believer's hope and expectation. They wait for no other to come,
for they have seen him and are satisfied with his work and person. He hath begotten us again to
a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
Do you desire to see Christ? For a free CD containing 15 of
these radio broadcasts, send an email to forthepoor at windstream.net.