Whenever we are hearing a new teacher and a new message, let us look for the sign of blood. Jesus says of Himself that He had come “to give His life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). Beware of any preacher who does not say as much of Christ!

There was a Frenchman by the name of Lepaux, who wanted to create a new religion. It was not long when he complained to the statesman Talleyrand of his ill-success. The statesman replied: “That you have difficulty in introducing your new religion, does not surprise me. But I believe I can show you how to succeed … The way to succeed in teaching religion is: Go and perform miracles; heal the sick of every variety; raise the dead; then be crucified and rise up again from the grave on the third day. When you shall have done all this, you may succeed.” No doubt, the philosopher went back somewhat thoughtful.

Talleyrand was right. The core and strength of the Gospel is the death of atonement suffered by Christ for us. If the test of blood is not met, the message may sound attractive; but it is a new gospel—with salvation left out of it.(Copied)

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. –James 1:2-4

These wonderful verses are often misunderstood and/or ignored. They declare the truth, but to the natural mind it just doesn’t sound right. We would do ourselves a big favor if we studied them carefully and trusted them completely. Pastor Stephen Davey gives us some food for thought. He writes:

Trials are not given to make us weak, but to make us learn to wait.  Jesus Christ wants to develop our faith, and He rarely develops it in the normal circumstances of life. It is most often  through the interruptions, the heartbreaks, and the discouragements that our faith progresses.

A young black girl living in the poverty section of Philadelphia enjoyed singing in her Union Baptist Church choir. The adults noticed latent talent in her voice and began “The Fund for Marian Anderson’s Future.” They raised one hundred twenty-six dollars in pennies, nickels, and dimes, and she began taking singing lessons.  

When she was eighteen she auditioned with a famous instructor, but was rejected. Those who continued to believe in her planned a concert in a town hall in New York City. However, the critics were brutal in their reviews. While on a European concert tour, she was well-received, but in Washington, D.C., she was not allowed to sing in Constitution Hall because of her race.

For many years, Marian Anderson wallowed in self-pity. Her mother finally said, “Marian, I want you to think about your troubles and your failures a little—and pray a lot.” Then her mother said something that Marian never forgot: “Marian, you must learn that grace comes before greatness.”

Marian Anderson became a well-known opera singer, performing for the Eisenhowers and their guests in the White House, being appointed a delegate to the United Nations, and winning a Medal of Freedom. All of this came only after learning the valuable lesson that her mother had taught her.

This is the same lesson delivered throughout Scripture. Learning to fail, yet to persevere, comes as we learn to live a life of faith. Times of trial are not only necessary to teach us humility, but they remind us where our true possessions lie—in Christ.

What better example than Christ—the Model—who shows us that grace comes before greatness . . . humility before honor. 

 Take time to do the unthinkable: thank God for something painful in your life, whether a broken relationship, the death of a loved one, a failing grade, an illness, or a difficult circumstance. Pray that God will give you strength to persevere during the test, no matter how long it takes—even a lifetime. Remember that trials are given for your good, and even the painful times are a gift from God.

“And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.” Luke 15:20-24 

An attorney was once studying the Scriptures. He was reading about forgiveness and the parable of the debtor. Feeling led of the Lord, he decided to forgive the debts of anyone who had owed him money for more than six months. Despite how painful the thought of how much money he was losing, he drafted a letter telling his clients of his decision. He gave the letter to his secretary who sent it out on the official law firm letterhead via certified mail to seventeen clients. A few days later two of the letters came back as “undeliverable.” Supposing the clients had moved, the attorney thought nothing of it. But after a week, sixteen of the seventeen letters had returned. The mail company stated that the recipients had refused to sign for the letters, assuming the attorney was suing for their past-due debt.

God has sent out restoration letters to those who have sinned against Him. He desires that Christians would read His letter and accept His offer, yet many Christians fear God’s punishment for their sins. While sin does have consequences, notice today two benefits of seeking God’s restoration.

Forgiveness. God offers forgiveness for your sins. No longer must you live with guilt, secrecy, and fear. God wants to forgive you of the sins you’ve committed.— God forgave your sins the day you accepted Christ as your Saviour. Because Jesus has paid for your sins, you don’t have to live in sin. God wants you to reject that life, and accept His forgiveness.

Fellowship. Perhaps the greatest reason to repent of sin is to restore the relationship between you and your Heavenly Father. God’s justice cannot tolerate sin, and as you live in sin, you set a barrier between you and God.

You cannot have a healthy relationship with God if you’re holding onto sin. You may walk through the motions of a relationship, but it won’t be a heartfelt time of bonding between you and God if you are not right with Him. Just as earthly relationships are hurt when there is offense, so your heavenly relationship is as well.

God desperately desires that you would let go of the sin in your life and accept His gift of forgiveness and restored fellowship. What is keeping you from accepting that restoration? Is your sin so enjoyable that you would give up the privilege of a relationship with God Almighty? Don’t waste another minute playing with sinful endeavors, but seek God’s forgiveness and restored fellowship right now.(Dr. Paul Chappell)

Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ, our Passover, is sacrificed for us.
1 Corinthians 5:7

Men are good at preparing. They’ll stay up late Friday night getting ready for Saturday’s fishing trip. They’ll spend hours organizing a basement workshop before beginning a project. They’ll devote a week preparing for Saturday’s tailgate party at the football stadium. And they’ll study catalogs all summer looking for the perfect fall hunting jacket.

The men of the Old Testament were charged by God with certain preparations as well: preparations for worship. At the first Passover, men were to select a perfect lamb, slaughter it, put its blood on the doorpost, roast the meat, and make sure the house was cleansed of leaven. Do men–or women–spend as much time preparing for worship today? What kinds of preparation should be made? Prayer, meditation on Scripture, repairing relationships, helping children get ready to appreciate the Sunday worship experience, preparation for the Lord’s Supper–there are lots of ways to make worship more meaningful.

This Saturday, try to keep Sunday in mind. Try to give it the kind of preparation that will make it a day to remember.

Worship is to Christian living what the mainspring is to the watch.–Lawrence R. Axelson (From Turning Point)