My dear readers,

(Extracts from RPG Workbook Vol II No. 7 June 12 – July 9 1983, edited by Dr SH Tow)

1. HOLY AND WITHOUT BLAME (EPHESIANS 1:1-14 ; 1 PETER 1:13-21)

Do you sometimes wish you were somebody else? Of a different race, or nationality? Of alterable height, of a different hair texture or colour, of another complexion? In other words, are you dissatisfied with yourself?

Please don’t be. In God’s economy, it is not the external qualities (whether you are tall or short, fat or thin, good-looking or not so good-looking,) that count. God planned for children to be “holy and without blame” (1:4).

To be “holy” (Greek: hagios) is to be separate from sin and set apart unto God. God desires His children to most closely resemble Him in holiness (1 Pet 1:15-16). Believers are called to be cleansed from defilement, to forsake sin and live as Christ-like as possible.

“Without blame” (Greek: amomos) is to be without blemish, without shame or moral disgrace in character and conduct. God wants His children to be without internal blemishes, i.e. “faultless” (Jude 24) or “unblameable” (Col 1:22). The same word is used of the Church that our Lord is preparing as His Bride (Eph 5:27).

God is more interested in the inward character, attitude and nature resulting in good conduct He is not interested in the pleasing outward personality (as the movie stars) that are devoid of holiness and blamelessness.

Do not dwell too much then on the externals. Stop judging yourself or others based on the externals: looks, clothes, height, skin colour, etc. Stop giving our children the wrong emphases in life: pretty clothes, fancy make-up, intelligence, talent, health, strength, etc.

THOUGHT: “For the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart” (1 Sam 16:7b). God’s standards are so different.
PRAYER: O, to be like Thee, blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art.

2. ACCEPTED IN THE BELOVED (EPHESIANS 1:1-14 ; COLOSSIANS 1:9-23)

As you read Ephesians 1:1-14 again, trace the number of times the terms “in Christ” (1:3), “in him” (1:4), “in the beloved” (1:6), “in whom” (1:7), “in himself” (1:9) appear. In chapter 1 alone, it occurs twelve times and in the New Testament, over one hundred and thirty times. Is there any doubt in your mind that God has actually based His plans “in Christ,” or “by Christ”?

Christ is the central figure, the key person, the focal point, the bedrock foundation of God’s Plan of the ages. Do not ever lose sight of this.

     “By Christ” all things began. He is the Creator (John 1:3, Col 1:16).
     “By Christ” we are reconciled to the Heavenly Father. He is the Redeemer (Eph 2:14, Col. 1:20).
     “By Christ” we are made acceptable to God. He is the Propitiator (Eph 1:6, 1 John 4:10).
     And “in Christ” all things will converge one day (Eph 1:10).

Not only is the world’s history built on Christ, we are saved through Christ and all the believer’s resources are available in Christ.

The Cross of Christ stands out as a mighty tower which supports all of human history and the history of the universe spanning from Eternity Past to Eternity Future. How shortsighted are the world’s rulers when they leave Christ out of their computation. Even sadder still is when a person leaves Christ out of his life.

When God has chosen Christ to be the focal point on which all of the world’s history rests (Col 1:14, 17), and He is worthy, how dare we leave Christ out of our life?

THOUGHT: Is Christ the centre of my life? God only accepts sinners in the Beloved. Am I “in the beloved”?
PRAYER: Forgive me, Lord, for leaving Christ out of my life.

3. SEALED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT (EPHESIANS 1:1-14 ; JOHN 14:15-26)

Praise God that the blessed Triune God is involved in our redemption. The Father blessed, chose and predestinated us to be His children (1:3-5). God the Son redeemed us through His Blood (1:7), and God the Holy Spirit sealed us (1:13). How is that for security!

No wonder we Christians can rejoice and be confident. We are eternally secure! We are safe in the hands of the Father and of the Son (John 10:28-30) and we have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 3:16).

The word “sealed” (Greek: sphragizo) conveys the idea of ownership, authentication, security and destination. When Satan sees the seal, he knows Who we belong to, that we are the genuine article, and God Himself is promise-bound to see to our protection, that we get to our ultimate destination.

The Holy Spirit is also the “earnest of our inheritance.” The word “arrabon” (Greek) is the deposit or down payment that God makes to demonstrate and secure His interest in us.

And when is the Holy Spirit given to a person? The clause in the King James Version, “after that ye believed, ye were sealed,” means when you believed, ye were sealed. Please make a note of this truth in your Bible right now. You were “sealed” by the Holy Spirit WHEN you believed. “Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his” (Rom 8:9b). If the Holy Spirit did not come into a person’s life and dwell within, he could not be a believer. Believers are called the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19). He lives in the believer.

THOUGHT: When does a believer receive the blessed Holy Spirit?
PRAYER: I thank Thee, Lord, for planning so comprehensively for my eternal salvation.

God bless you dear readers.

Yours faithfully in the Saviour’s Service,
Dr SH Tow, Founding Pastor