“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”

James 4:17 KJV

We live in a culture that has all but lost any consciousness of sin. Because the culture has abandoned Biblical Truth, we have no standard  by which sin can be recognized or identified.  We have become much like it was during the days of The Judges (10th Century BC) when “every man did that  was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 17:6 KJV).   But the Word of God declares  that we “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”(Rom. 3:23 KJV).

But what is sin?  How do we define it?  We normally think of sin as doing certain things that are bad.  And  while such  things are certainly sinful, that still does not describe what it is.  In reality sin  is more than our outward actions. (Matthew 5: 27-28).

Major Ian Thomas in his classic book, The Indwelling Life of Christ, defines sin very clearly.  He says, “Sin is anything that falls short of God’s glory, so that God will evaluate sin as any behavior that falls short of what He does, what He says, and what He is.  Sin therefore, is exposed simply by relating our behavior to God’s behavior.  God is perfect and by that perfection you and I recognize sin, because sin is anything that falls short of His perfection.  God Himself is therefore the only standard by which sin is recognizable.” (Page 49). 

Sin, therefore, can only be recognized in the light of God Himself!  In the light of God’s perfect holiness,  we become keenly aware of our imperfection. (Isaiah 6: 1-5).  And we see that anything that is not perfect is sin!  Such a realization means that all of us are in trouble!  We all fall short of God’s Holy perfection!  Such a  revelation of His holiness and perfection, causes us to want to try to hide from His Presence (Gen. 3:8). 

But the Good News of the Gospel is that Jesus has paid for all our sin in full!  (Col. 2: 12-15).  And He has give,  to all who will receive it, His very own righteousness and perfection! (2 Cor.5:21).  Therefore because of His finished work on the cross , He now welcomes all who have received His very own righteousness into His Presence!  And we are completely accepted by Him!  Oh, what a Savior we have in Jesus! 

“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation; he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness…”

Isaiah 61:10 KJV

Throughout the year clothing manufacturers send out catalogues and other forms of advertising informing us of the latest fashions.  People eagerly watch the Hollywood elite at their award ceremonies to see what styles their favorite movie stars are wearing.  But did you know that the Holy One is also concerned about fashion? 

His greatest desire is that we might be “clothed” with the garments of salvation and to wear “the robe of righteousness.”  Of all the things we might wear, those are the most important. 

We are also instructed in the Word of God (Colossians 3: 1-17) that as followers of Christ we are to “put off” some things and to “put on” some things.  In Col. 3:8-9 we are instructed to “put off” anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy talk and lying.  In Col. 3: 12-14 we are instructed to “put on” tender mercy, kindness, humbleness, meekness, patience, forgiveness and love.  Being followers of Christ, therefore,  requires us to change what we wear.  And the amazing thing  is that Christ has already provided us with everything that we need (2 Peter 1:3). 

The good news is that unlike the world’s fashion, the believer’s fashion has already been paid for in Christ (Col. 3:10-11).  The fashion that Christ provides for us is always free.  It always looks good on us.  It is always a perfect fit.  It never wears out.  And it never goes out of style!  And when unbelievers actually get a good look at it, it makes them envious! 

So, as followers of Christ, let us be sure that we are wearing the right wardrobe because someone is always looking at what we wear!  And let us be so submitted to Christ,  that our garments are always a reflection of Him! 

By Rev. James Black

 “…Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing.”

Psalm 92:13-15

In this passage of scripture, the Lord promises that if we are planted (established, rooted, grounded, actively involved) in a growing relationship with Him, and in His house (working to advance His purposes and His Kingdom), then we shall flourish and enjoy the Presence of God. The word “courts” here is a picture of being in His Presence.

There are many today who have given up and abandoned the house of the Lord altogether. Some have done so simply out of neglect; getting caught up in the busyness of life. Some have become disillusioned because of those in the Body of Christ who have failed at times and not lived up to their expectations; while ignoring their own weaknesses and failures. Their focus has been on others instead of Christ. Many see no purpose or value in church at all because they have never truly sought to cultivate an intimate relationship with the Lord. They have substituted “being in church” for a true relationship with the Lord. They have not yet discovered that church has little meaning or value unless one has experienced the reality of Christ in their persona life. Church is no substitute for the reality of a personal relationship with the Jesus. Church encourages it, enhances it and enriches it, but is never a substitute for it. Many put more value in cultivating relationships with others than they do with the Living God who longs to reveal Himself unto them.

But the Holy One has redeemed us for the purpose of bringing forth fruit (the fruit of the Spirit [Gal. 5: 22-23] and the reproduction of disciples (John 15:5}. And like it or not we cannot do that effectively apart from being connected to and engaged with the Body of Christ. We cannot reach our fullest potential in the Kingdom of God apart from our fellowship with Him and our fellowship with one another. The Body of Christ nurtures us and challenges us in our growth and walk with the Lord. If we continue to cultivate our fellowship with Him we will “flourish in the Presence of God” even in our old age. We can delight in and enjoy the Presence of God more and more in this life until He calls us home to be with Him! And then we will see the full revelation of His glory which for now, we can only imagine! (1 Cor. 2: 9-10 & Rev. 4 – 5).

Rev. James W. Black

 “…His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.”

2 Peter 1:3 KJV

Everything that we need to live a Godly life has already been provided for us through the Person of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit Who now dwells within us (Col. 1:27).  All of that became ours, the very moment that we surrendered our heart to Him!  The reason that we often struggle is that we believe the lies of the adversary that somehow we are are inferior, inadequate, and insignificant and  that we need more than what we already have in order to walk with God and please Him!   

While it is true that as followers of Christ we must grow in our faith walk, it is equally true that all that we need to grow has already been provided for us.  We must simply learn to walk in what  we already possess.  We do not need more power or more strength or more wisdom.  We simply need to draw upon what we already have in Christ. 

There is no shortage of power, strength, wisdom, ability, love, grace, joy or peace in Jesus.  There is no lack of anything  in Him!   Therefore if Christ is in us (Rom. 8: 9-11), then we already have all that is needed to live for Him and to be whatever He wants us to be in this life.   Some will say, “Well, I don’t feel strong or wise or full of joy and peace!”  That is certainly true when we are focusing upon ourselves or our circumstances.  But we do not walk by our feelings.  When  we  rivet our attention on Him, focus upon Him, walk in Him and draw upon Him, He will provide for us everything that is needed when it is needed.  Our source for all that we need is in Him, not in ourselves.  Our walk with Christ is not determined by how we feel.  It is determined by the “knowledge of Him that has called us.”   

Thus the key to discovering all that we have in Christ is simply to be intentional in seeking to know Him more and more.  As as we learn to  know Him more, we discover that He is the God Who is more than enough for all things! 

Rev. James W. Black