Abel was a keeper of sheep

Posted on by

by C. H. Spurgeon from his Morning by Morning devotional for January 20th

2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. Genesis 4:2 (KJV)

As a shepherd Abel sanctified his work to the glory of God, and offered a sacrifice of blood upon his altar, and the Lord had respect unto Abel and his offering. This early type of our Lord is exceedingly clear and distinct. Like the first streak of light which tinges the east at sunrise, it does not reveal everything, but it clearly manifests the great fact that the sun is coming. As we see Abel, a shepherd and yet a priest, offering a sacrifice of sweet smell unto God, we discern our Lord, who brings before His Father a sacrifice to which Jehovah ever hath respect. Abel was hated by his brother—hated without a cause; and even so was the Saviour: the natural and carnal man hated the accepted man in whom the Spirit of grace was found, and rested not until his blood had been shed. Abel fell, and sprinkled his altar and sacrifice with his own blood, and therein sets forth the Lord Jesus slain by the enmity of man while serving as a priest before the Lord. “The good Shepherd layeth down His life for the sheep.”1 Let us weep over Him as we view Him slain by the hatred of mankind, staining the horns of His altar with His own blood. Abel’s blood speaketh. “The Lord said unto Cain, ‘The voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto Me from the ground.'”2 The blood of Jesus hath a mighty tongue, and the import of its prevailing cry is not vengeance but mercy. It is precious beyond all preciousness to stand at the altar of our good Shepherd! to see Him bleeding there as the slaughtered priest, and then to hear His blood speaking peace to all His flock, peace in our conscience, peace between Jew and Gentile, peace between man and his offended Maker, peace all down the ages of eternity for blood-washed men. Abel is the first shepherd in order of time, but our hearts shall ever place Jesus first in order of excellence. Thou great Keeper of the sheep, we the people of Thy pasture bless Thee with our whole hearts when we see Thee slain for us.

1John 10:11 2Genesis 4:10

Christian Idolatry

Posted on by

by Mike Ratliff

1 Then God said to Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there, and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee, when thou fleddest from Esau thy brother.
2 Then said Jacob unto his household and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and cleanse yourselves, and change your garments:
3 For we will rise and go up to Bethel, and I will make an altar there unto God, which heard me in the day of my tribulation, and was with me in the way which I went. Genesis 35:1-3 (1599 Geneva Bible) 

idolatry 1: the worship of a physical object as a god 2: immoderate attachment or devotion to something (from Webster’s Ninth Collegiate Dictionary)

I’m sure that most Christians’ conception of idolatry is one in which people fall down and worship some statue or image or a facsimile of something that appears to resemble a god. While that is an example of idolatry there is a more subtle form of idolatry that all people are neck deep in outside of the grace of God. If we look closely at the dictionary definition above, we will see that the first definition is our conception while the second is the reality of which we must all agree that we are guilty. The last word in that definition could easily be change from “something” to “someone.” Then all we have to do is look in a mirror to see who that someone is. We are all guilty of idolatry to some level. Continue reading →

Are You Complete in Christ?

Posted on by

by Mike Ratliff

9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard of it, cease not to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be fulfilled with knowledge of his will in all wisdom, and spiritual understanding.
10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord, and please him in all things, being fruitful in all good works, and increasing in the knowledge of God,
11 Strengthened with all might through his glorious power, unto all patience, and longsuffering with joyfulness,
12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light,
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son,
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, that is, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:9-14 (1599 Geneva Bible) 

We live in a time of deep deception. Even genuine Christians can be deceived if they are not exceedingly careful. It is imperative that, even though we must remain in the world for a time, we must not be of it. The Church has been under heavy attack since Acts 2. It is a wise and discerning thing for us to understand that God uses this to purify, cleanse, and teach the Church. It is as we address heresy that doctrine is developed for our understanding of God and His ways and then becomes more defined for us.

Continue reading →

What is it that prevails over death?

Posted on by

by Mike Ratliff

13 ¶ ,Now when Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I, the son of man, am?
14 And they said, Some say, John Baptist: and some, Elijah: and others, Jeremiah, or one of the Prophets.
15 He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16 Then Simon Peter answered, and said, Thou art that Christ, the son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered, and said to him, Blessed art thou, Simon, the son of Jonah: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18 And I say also unto thee, that thou art ,Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church: and the gates of hell shall not overcome it.
19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the Kingdom of heaven, and whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven.
20 Then he charged his disciples, that they should tell no man that he was Jesus that Christ.Matthew 16:13-20 (1599 Geneva Bible) 

Genuine Christians, God’s heirs, are those who have believed.

16 ,For God so loveth the world, that he hath given his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (1599 Geneva Bible) 

Carefully read this very familiar passage from John Chapter 3. Who is it that does not perish, but has eternal life? It is whoever believes in the Son. Not everyone who attempts to “follow” Jesus believes.

25 And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?
26 Jesus answered them, and said, Verily, verily I say unto you, Ye seek me not, because ye saw the miracles, but because ye ate of the loaves, and were filled.
27 Labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for the meat that endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
29 Jesus answered, and said unto them, ,This is the work of God, that ye believe in him, whom he hath sent.
30 They said therefore unto him, What sign showest thou then, that we may see it, and believe thee? what dost thou work?
31 Our fathers did eat Manna in the desert, as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.
32 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven, but my Father giveth you that true bread from heaven.
33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
34 Then they said unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.
35 And Jesus said unto them, I am that bread of life: he that cometh to me, shall not hunger, and he that believeth in me, shall never thirst.
36 But I said unto you, that ye also have seen me, and believe not. John 6:25-36 (1599 Geneva Bible) 
Continue reading →

Be ready for our Lord’s coming

Posted on by

by Mike Ratliff

36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no not the Angels of heaven, but my father only.
37 But as the days of Noah were, so likewise shall the coming of the Son of man be.
38 For as in the days before the flood, they did eat and drink, marry, and give in marriage, unto the day that Noah entered into the Ark,
39 And knew nothing, till the flood came, and took them all away, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
40 ,Then two shall be in the fields, the one shall be received, and the other shall be refused.
41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill: the one shall be received, and the other shall be refused.
42 ,Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your master will come. Matthew 24:36-42 (1599 Geneva Bible) 

Jesus’ own words from the Gospels tell us that the time of His second coming will be as it was in the day of Noah. What was that like? People were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage right up to the time Noah entered the ark. They were unaware of their coming judgment until the flood came and swept them away. People were going about their normal business of making a living, doing the best they can, just like now. Jesus also tells us that no one knows when He is coming back, therefore we are to stay awake or be alert. Continue reading →

Mistaken Notions About Repentance

Posted on by

by Mike Ratliff

30 For I will multiply the fruit of the trees, and the increase of the field, that ye shall bear no more the reproach of famine among the heathen.
31 Then shall ye remember your own wicked ways, and your deeds that were not good, and shall judge yourselves worthy to have been destroyed for your iniquities, and for your abominations. Ezekiel 36:30-31 (1599 Geneva Bible) 

The following is partially adapted from a sermon by C.H. Spurgeon titled “Mistaken Notions About Repentance.”

Some have defined repentance as, “a change of mind.” Others add, “with resultant change in actions.” Others believe it is anguish and grief over sin. Others believe it is the same thing as belief. What is repentance? Repentance is wrought in the heart by a sense of love divine. In other words, it is the product of a work of God in the heart. If we hold this view of repentance we see it in its true light. This helps us to meet a great many mistakes which have darkened this subject. Many are kept from Christ and hope by misapprehensions of this matter. Continue reading →

Boasting Excluded

Posted on by

by Mike Ratliff

27 Ποῦ οὖν ἡ καύχησις; ἐξεκλείσθη. διὰ ποίου νόμου; τῶν ἔργων; οὐχί, ἀλλὰ διὰ νόμου πίστεως. 28 λογιζόμεθα γὰρ δικαιοῦσθαι πίστει ἄνθρωπον χωρὶς ἔργων νόμου. 29 ἢ Ἰουδαίων ὁ θεὸς μόνον; οὐχὶ καὶ ἐθνῶν; ναὶ καὶ ἐθνῶν, 30 εἴπερ εἷς ὁ θεὸς ὃς δικαιώσει περιτομὴν ἐκ πίστεως καὶ ἀκροβυστίαν διὰ τῆς πίστεως. 31 νόμον οὖν καταργοῦμεν διὰ τῆς πίστεως; μὴ γένοιτο· ἀλλὰ νόμον ἱστάνομεν. Romans 3:27-31 (NA28)

27 Therefore, where is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of principle? Of works? No, but through a principle of faith. 28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. 29 Or is God the God of the Jews only? Is he not the God of the Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since there is one God who will justify the circumcision by faith and the uncircumcision through faith. 31Therefore, do we annul the Law through faith? May it never be! Rather, we confirm the Law. (Romans 3:27-31 translated from the NA28 Greek text to English)

As I translated Romans 3:27-31 I had to do some research on how others had rendered νόμου in v27, v28, and v31. The NASB and LSB renders it as “law” and “Law” meaning a principle in the v27, but then as the O.T. Law in v28 and v31. The ESV renders it as “law” in all four cases. As I looked at the context though I could see what Paul was saying very clearly in v27 in his rhetorical questions so I rendered νόμου, “nomou”, “principle, law, the Law” in v27 as “principle.”  Continue reading →

Abide in Me, and I in you

Posted on by

by Mike Ratliff

4 Abide in me, and I in you: as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine, no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5 I am that vine: ye are the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me can ye do nothing.
6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and withereth: and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they burn.
7 ,If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask what ye will, and it shall be done to you.
8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit, and be made my disciples.
9 As the father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue in that my love.
10 If ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love, as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. John 15:4-10 (1599 Geneva Bible) 

For the first 20 or so years of this walk I was in a very immature spiritual state. I was utterly convinced during that time that my worth as a disciple depended upon my performance, my learning, my obedience, et cetera. With that mind-set it was a very horrible experience at times since I was on a roller coaster ride of obedience and backsliding. What amazed me during that period was that I was looked at as one of the more mature believers at our church. I knew better. That all changed in 2004 and 2005 as God drew me into the light and drastically changed that ‘mind-set.’ It was as I learned and held to the truth that our salvation is all according to God’s will not our’s that I began to have peace and freedom. He chose us according to the good pleasure of His will, not according to our abilities or any other inherent attribute we may have. With this remaking of my mind-set came the ending of that cycle of obedience and backsliding. It was as if it had been put to death. Continue reading →

The offense of the gospel

Posted on by

by Mike Ratliff

34 Μὴ νομίσητε ὅτι ἦλθον βαλεῖν εἰρήνην ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν· οὐκ ἦλθον βαλεῖν εἰρήνην ἀλλὰ μάχαιραν. (Matthew 10:34 NA28)

34 Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. (Matthew 10:34 translated from the NA28 Greek text)

26 τί γὰρ ὠφεληθήσεται ἄνθρωπος ἐὰν τὸν κόσμον ὅλον κερδήσῃ τὴν δὲ ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ ζημιωθῇ; ἢ τί δώσει ἄνθρωπος ἀντάλλαγμα τῆς ψυχῆς αὐτοῦ; (Matthew 16:26 NA28)

26 For what will be benefited a man if he acquires the whole world, but he forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:26 translated from the NA28 Greek text)

What is is the offense of the Gospel? Let us examine scripture to answer that.  Continue reading →

The Way of Wisdom and the Way of Folly A Biblical Contrast

Posted on by

by Mike Ratliff

 6 Seek ye the Lord while he may be found: call ye upon him while he is near.
7 Let the wicked forsake his ways, and the unrighteous his own imaginations, and return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he is very ready to forgive.
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts above your thoughts. Isaiah 55:6-9 (1599 Geneva Bible)

As we live in a time of great deception, let us reflect on our Lord’s ways in contrast to the way of men. God’s ways are not man’s ways. His thoughts are not our thoughts. No matter how high and lifted up we perceive that God is, He is higher. No matter how good we come to believe that we are, we are nothing compared to God. Without our Lord, we can do nothing.

Continue reading →

Longing for a heavenly body

Posted on by

by Mike Ratliff

13 I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder, 14 knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has indicated to me. 2 Peter 1:13-14 (LSB) 

Unlike Peter, the Lord has not made it clear to me the putting off of my body is imminent (see the passage above). However, I do not deny that my desire for the ending of this tabernacling in this earthly tent grows deeper with each skirmish or battle in the Truth War. I am not overly sad here. I am in very good shape for my age, but with each step in spiritual maturity, the natural byproduct of standing firm in the hot parts of the battle, I find that my joy is in the heavenly perspective rather than in anything in the temporal with the only exception being in my personal relationships and fellowship with family and friends and fellow warriors.  Continue reading →

The words of God

Posted on by

by Mike Ratliff

34 ὃν γὰρ ἀπέστειλεν ὁ θεὸς τὰ ῥήματα τοῦ θεοῦ λαλεῖ, οὐ γὰρ ἐκ μέτρου δίδωσιν τὸ πνεῦμα. John 3:34 (NA28)

34 For He whom God sent speaks the words of God; for He give the Spirit without measure. John 3:34 (translated from the NA28 Greek text)

In the New Testament we have a Greek word translated “Word” that most of us are very familiar with, which is λόγος (logos). This word is used by the writers of New Testament most often to refer to a “Christian proclamation as a whole of the N.T.” On the other hand, there is another Greek word translated as “word” or “words” in the New Testament which we will look at in this post. It is ῥῆμα (rhēma). The plural of this word found in the passage above is ῥήματα (rhēmata) and I translated it as “words.” This word usually relates to individual words and utterances. Continue reading →

The Golden Calf and apostasy

Posted on by

by Mike Ratliff

1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father’s house are many dwelling places: if it were not so, I would have told you: I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there may ye be also.
4 And whither I go, ye know, and the way ye know. John 14:1-4 (1599 Geneva Bible) 

1 This second Epistle I now write unto you, beloved, wherewith I stir up, and warn your pure minds,
2 To call to remembrance the words, which were told before of the holy Prophets, and also the commandment of us the Apostles of the Lord and Savior.
3 ,This first understand, that there shall come in the last days, mockers, which will walk after their lusts,
4 And say, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the Fathers died, all things continue alike from the beginning of the creation. 2 Peter 3:1-4 (1599 Geneva Bible) 

Those familiar with the Exodus of Israel from bondage in Egypt to the Promised Land of Canaan know that the journey was long and arduous. Only two men from those who left Egypt made it through the journey. The rest died on the way. Their children were those whom Joshua led to conquer and claim the land flowing with milk and honey. God tested them in the wilderness. They were put in circumstance after circumstance by God to see if they would repent of their stiff-necked resistance to His Lordship, and time after time they proved that they were temporal, fleshly people who did not trust Him. In this post we will look at a parallel between one of those circumstances and the condition of the Church in the early 21st Century. Continue reading →

Wielding The Sword Of The Lord Correctly

Posted on by

by Mike Ratliff

12 Ζῶν γὰρ ὁ λόγος τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ ἐνεργὴς καὶ τομώτερος ὑπὲρ πᾶσαν μάχαιραν δίστομον καὶ διϊκνούμενος ἄχρι μερισμοῦ ψυχῆς καὶ πνεύματος, ἁρμῶν τε καὶ μυελῶν, καὶ κριτικὸς ἐνθυμήσεων καὶ ἐννοιῶν καρδίας· Hebrews 4:12 (NA28)

12 For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than every doubled-edged-sword and penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to discern the thoughts and insights of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12 translated from the NA28 Greek text to English)

In this day in which the truth is said to be unknowable, Christians must rely on the only source of pure truth we have. There is no truth that we can say is the complete truth unless we take it from God’s Word. The Bible is pure truth and it is the authority we rely on in order to have a firm foundation in this lost and dying world that is consuming itself in rebellion against God.

What can we learn from Hebrews 4:12 about this?

Continue reading →