Psalm 3 - 1 (A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.) LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me. 2 Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. 3 But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. {for: or, about} 4 I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. 5 I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me. 6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about. 7 Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. 8 Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.
In this passage David is fleeing from his own son who has turned against him. David's life, a man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22), once again is experiencing a low point, about as low as a person could get. David's life is an encouragement to me because it shows that even the one who is a type of Christ, a king anointed by God, a man described as being after God's own heart, a man of whom Jesus is spoken of his house, is just that, a man. He experiences ups and downs, he even fails, even sins. He was just like us.
David was who he was not because he was perfect, just the opposite. He was who he was because he knew his power did not come from himself but from God and regardless how bad it got, how much he messed up, or how far away he got, when he came to a point he would turn to God and give it to Him. Sometimes he sought God at the first and saved himself a lot of problems but like us, sometimes he went in his own power and had to call on God after he failed. Either way, David knew it was God and not he who was on the throne. He may have sinned and failed big but he also repented and returned big. David knew it was only in God and not relgious ritual or tradition also.
All we need do to be like David is to trust completely in Christ's finished work on the Cross of Calvary and allow the Holy Ghost to work in us and fight for us. Jesus has won the war for us. It is over but we must also look to Him for the smaller battles that come our way as live in Sanctification as Christians and allow the Power of the Cross, the Blood of Jesus to cover our lives. Then and only then may the Holy Ghost have the room to move in our lives and apply the Victory that is ours in Christ. We must get self out of the way. We must stop looking to other sources whether they be in "church" or the the world. These include self help formulas, psychology, humanism, and yes, religion among many others which incorporate these elements and others. No matter how good it seems, if it is devised by man it will not ultimately work. If it is anything other than the Cross of Christ then it will not ultimately work. Even more, when we try to add to the Cross, we are effectively denying the Cross altoghether. If the Work of Christ on the Cross, the Blood He shed, is not enought alone, then it is not anything. We must stop adding to it and we must stop denying it. We must, as David learn to look to it continually. When we are in Christ, He is "our deliverer" and "Salvation belongeth to [Him]. When we know this then we truly can lay down and sleep knowing it is the Lord that sustains us and all fear is cast out. Praise the Lord!
Grace and Peace to you all,
Evangelist Randy McCarter
Friday, January 8, 2010
David Recovered All
In 1 Sam. 30 David, a type of Christ, has lost everything to the enemy. He is at his lowest. But David recovered all by God's Power. And he returned it to each of his men. Christ recovered all that was lost because of sin when He died on the Cross. If you are in Christ, do not let Satan lie to you. You were bought with a price, the Blood of Jesus, and sin has no dominion over you (Rom 6). Our spiritual David, has gone to the enemy's camp and recovered all. Receive what He has done for you and live free of all bondage as we in Christ should. Remember, the fight is not yours, Jesus already won. Look to the Cross and give the Holy Ghost the room to work. In Jesus' Name take back what Satan has lied and made you believe he can take from you. Remember, "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed" (John 8:36).
Grace and Peace,
Evangelist Randy McCarter
Grace and Peace,
Evangelist Randy McCarter
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Too Busy!
I want to do more on this Blog. It is called Cross Life. That means a life lived with Faith focused on Christ's Finished work on the Cross. A life covered by the Blood of Christ and totally dependant upon Him, dying daily to self, yet alive in Christ. It is this kind of Faith and only this kind of Faith that allows the Holy Spirit to work in our lives, leading, Sanctifying, empowering, strengthening, in other words making us more like Christ. This is the Revelation that has set me free. Yet, I can not find the time to write about it here. I find time to do a million other things. So why not write about what I feel is the most important task I have to do. It is more than a task. It is my calling and commission from God, not this blog but to Preach the Message of the Cross. This is just one medium to convey that Message.
I feel the the Message of the Cross is the only thing that will bring reformation to the Church. I further believe that reformation must come to the Church before revival will come. I further believe that revival must come to the Church before the Church can make any difference in the world.
Thus, I am going to make a point to write more often, even if what I write is shorter. I would like to get up a daily devotional but may begin with weekly or 2x weekly. The bottom line is that I feel I am not using a platform that God has given to Preach the Message of the Cross and fully intend to start doing so.
Grace and Peace to you all,
Evangelist Randy McCarter
I feel the the Message of the Cross is the only thing that will bring reformation to the Church. I further believe that reformation must come to the Church before revival will come. I further believe that revival must come to the Church before the Church can make any difference in the world.
Thus, I am going to make a point to write more often, even if what I write is shorter. I would like to get up a daily devotional but may begin with weekly or 2x weekly. The bottom line is that I feel I am not using a platform that God has given to Preach the Message of the Cross and fully intend to start doing so.
Grace and Peace to you all,
Evangelist Randy McCarter
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Man's Real Problem Part 4: How We May Become Partakers of the Solution
This is part four in a four part series called Man's Real Problem. Part one concluded that Man's Real problem is sin. Part two declare the Solution to be the promise given to Abraham which in a condensed version is the blessing of Justification by Faith. Part Three concluded the means of the solution is the Cross of Christ.
The original Scripture below has all the four Parts of the series in one verse. They are 1) mankind's real problem, 2) the solution, 3) the means of the solution, and 4) how we may become partakers of the solution.
Galatians 3:22 But 1) the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that 2) the promise 3) by faith of Jesus Christ might be 4) given to them that believe.
The means by which the promise is made available to all is through Christ perfect Sacrifice at the Cross. The Promise is to Abraham and his Seed, singular not plural (Gal. 3:16), which is Christ. Thus if the Promise of the blessing of Justification by Faith is given to Abraham and Christ then how do we become partakers of the Covenant and receive the Promise which is the Solution to man's real problem, sin?
Once again, one could almost suffice it to leave it al the text without explanation i.e. "given to them that believe." However, many, or I believe I could say without fear of presumption, most do not really understand the word "believe."
What does it mean? Is it simply intellectual ascent to the facts of Jesus' life? Is it believing that He lived, died, and performed miracles as we believe that George Washington lived, died, and crossed the Delaware? It has to be more than that. We believe many things that are true but they are not able to make a real difference in our life much less our eternity. It means much more than head knowledge.
James 2:19 says, "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble." It must be more. Mark 1:34 says, "And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him." Demons were the first to recognize and acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God. They "knew him" and believed He was who He said He was. They were not, are not, nor can they be saved so it has to be more.
Louw and Nida Greek Lexicon defines the Greek root word "pisteuo" with several uses. One of those, "trust," (31.85), is "to believe to the extent of complete trust and reliance." (1998) Another,"entrust" (35.50), is "to entrust something to the care of someone" (ibid.). These two definitions say it about as accurately as words can express it.
It is much more than intellectual ascent. It is much more than simply "believing someone lived and did certain things." It is much more than "knowing." It is "complete trust and reliance" upon the finished Work of Christ on the Cross. It is "entrust [ing]" our spirit, soul, and body to the care of Jesus Christ. Thus giving the Holy Spirit the ability to work. He baptizes us into Christ and thus we are regenerated, or born again. The spiritual part of us that is dead because of Adam's sin is reborn and we become children of God. Christ exchanges His righteousness for our law breaking (sinfulness). Thus we become partakers of the solution.
When Christ died on the Cross, it was a legal transaction that fully paid the sin debt that man owed, both by our nature and our actions. The hatred and hostility between God and man has been removed. However man must receive this free gift before it will do him any good.
This is the conclusion of this four-part series, Man's Real Problem.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Randy
The original Scripture below has all the four Parts of the series in one verse. They are 1) mankind's real problem, 2) the solution, 3) the means of the solution, and 4) how we may become partakers of the solution.
Galatians 3:22 But 1) the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that 2) the promise 3) by faith of Jesus Christ might be 4) given to them that believe.
The means by which the promise is made available to all is through Christ perfect Sacrifice at the Cross. The Promise is to Abraham and his Seed, singular not plural (Gal. 3:16), which is Christ. Thus if the Promise of the blessing of Justification by Faith is given to Abraham and Christ then how do we become partakers of the Covenant and receive the Promise which is the Solution to man's real problem, sin?
Once again, one could almost suffice it to leave it al the text without explanation i.e. "given to them that believe." However, many, or I believe I could say without fear of presumption, most do not really understand the word "believe."
What does it mean? Is it simply intellectual ascent to the facts of Jesus' life? Is it believing that He lived, died, and performed miracles as we believe that George Washington lived, died, and crossed the Delaware? It has to be more than that. We believe many things that are true but they are not able to make a real difference in our life much less our eternity. It means much more than head knowledge.
James 2:19 says, "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble." It must be more. Mark 1:34 says, "And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him." Demons were the first to recognize and acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God. They "knew him" and believed He was who He said He was. They were not, are not, nor can they be saved so it has to be more.
Louw and Nida Greek Lexicon defines the Greek root word "pisteuo" with several uses. One of those, "trust," (31.85), is "to believe to the extent of complete trust and reliance." (1998) Another,"entrust" (35.50), is "to entrust something to the care of someone" (ibid.). These two definitions say it about as accurately as words can express it.
It is much more than intellectual ascent. It is much more than simply "believing someone lived and did certain things." It is much more than "knowing." It is "complete trust and reliance" upon the finished Work of Christ on the Cross. It is "entrust [ing]" our spirit, soul, and body to the care of Jesus Christ. Thus giving the Holy Spirit the ability to work. He baptizes us into Christ and thus we are regenerated, or born again. The spiritual part of us that is dead because of Adam's sin is reborn and we become children of God. Christ exchanges His righteousness for our law breaking (sinfulness). Thus we become partakers of the solution.
When Christ died on the Cross, it was a legal transaction that fully paid the sin debt that man owed, both by our nature and our actions. The hatred and hostility between God and man has been removed. However man must receive this free gift before it will do him any good.
This is the conclusion of this four-part series, Man's Real Problem.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Randy
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Man's Real Problem Part 3: The Means of the Solution
This is part three in a four part series called Man's Real Problem. Part one concluded that Man's Real problem is sin. Part two declare the Solution to be the promise given to Abraham which in a condensed version is the blessing of Justification by Faith.
The original Scripture below has all the four Parts of the series in one verse. They are 1) mankind's real problem, 2) the solution, 3) the means of the the solution, and 4) how we may become partakers of the solution.
Galatians 3:22 But 1) the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that 2) the promise 3) by faith of Jesus Christ might be 4) given to them that believe.
This post focuses on the Means of the Solution. In other Words how is the Promise of the Blessing of Justification by Faith made available to whosoever will?
The answer could easily be summed up in two words: The Cross.
Jesus Christ, called the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world (John 1:29) by John the Baptist is fully God and Fully man. This had to be so for the two disparaged parties to be reconciled.
The enmity (hostility) that separated God and man went both ways. Man could not reach God because of it but neither could God come to man. This is so because God can not overlook sin because He is perfect in Holiness and can abide with nothing less. This enmity was due to sin brought into the world by Adam's sin and was likewise removed by one man, Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:15).
Because Jesus was fully God and fully man the entire covenant could be ratified within himself and the enmity taken away (Gal. 3:20). This takes man out of the process. We can not reach God by means of the Law (Rom. 3:20) nor by good works (Isaiah 64:6) nor any other man devised method. The New Covenant (Testament) is between God and Christ who was made of a woman, made under the law (Gal. 4:4), so that He might perfectly keep law as a Jewish man living under it for us and exchange His perfect law keeping for our perpetual law breaking. Thus man's good works or bad works have nothing to do with it. Once one is in Christ and partaker of the Covenant one will want to do good works (Eph. 2:10) but this is out of love and gratitude for what Christ has done for us not so we may earn His favor.
The means by which the promise is made available to all is through Christ perfect Sacrifice at the Cross. The Promise is to Abraham and his Seed, singular not plural (Gal. 3:16), which is Christ. Thus if the Promise of the blessing of Justification by Faith is given to Abraham and Christ then how do we become partakers of the Covenant and receive the Promise which is the Solution to man's real problem, sin?
This is the question that will be answered in part four of this series, "how we may become partakers of the solution."
Watch for Part four soon.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Randy
The original Scripture below has all the four Parts of the series in one verse. They are 1) mankind's real problem, 2) the solution, 3) the means of the the solution, and 4) how we may become partakers of the solution.
Galatians 3:22 But 1) the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that 2) the promise 3) by faith of Jesus Christ might be 4) given to them that believe.
This post focuses on the Means of the Solution. In other Words how is the Promise of the Blessing of Justification by Faith made available to whosoever will?
The answer could easily be summed up in two words: The Cross.
Jesus Christ, called the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world (John 1:29) by John the Baptist is fully God and Fully man. This had to be so for the two disparaged parties to be reconciled.
The enmity (hostility) that separated God and man went both ways. Man could not reach God because of it but neither could God come to man. This is so because God can not overlook sin because He is perfect in Holiness and can abide with nothing less. This enmity was due to sin brought into the world by Adam's sin and was likewise removed by one man, Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:15).
Because Jesus was fully God and fully man the entire covenant could be ratified within himself and the enmity taken away (Gal. 3:20). This takes man out of the process. We can not reach God by means of the Law (Rom. 3:20) nor by good works (Isaiah 64:6) nor any other man devised method. The New Covenant (Testament) is between God and Christ who was made of a woman, made under the law (Gal. 4:4), so that He might perfectly keep law as a Jewish man living under it for us and exchange His perfect law keeping for our perpetual law breaking. Thus man's good works or bad works have nothing to do with it. Once one is in Christ and partaker of the Covenant one will want to do good works (Eph. 2:10) but this is out of love and gratitude for what Christ has done for us not so we may earn His favor.
The means by which the promise is made available to all is through Christ perfect Sacrifice at the Cross. The Promise is to Abraham and his Seed, singular not plural (Gal. 3:16), which is Christ. Thus if the Promise of the blessing of Justification by Faith is given to Abraham and Christ then how do we become partakers of the Covenant and receive the Promise which is the Solution to man's real problem, sin?
This is the question that will be answered in part four of this series, "how we may become partakers of the solution."
Watch for Part four soon.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Randy
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Man's Real Problem Part 2: The Solution
Last post discussed Mans real Problem as part one of a four part series.
This post focuses on the Solution. The original Scripture below has all the four Parts of the series in one verse. They are 1) mankind's real problem, 2) the solution, 3) the means of the the solution, and 4) how we may become partakers of the solution.
Galatians 3:22 But 1) the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that 2) the promise 3) by faith of Jesus Christ might be 4) given to them that believe.
The problem then is clearly sin. What then is the Solution? The Promise.
What is the Promise? I learned in Bible College 101 and every Christian needs to learn that the best way to interpret Scripture is by Scripture and I might add by the Guidance of the Holy Spirit.
What does Paul say? Galatians 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
The Promise is that made to Abraham 430 years before the Law. That Promise known as the Abrahamic Covenant was given to Abraham as God began to make a people for Himself, the Israelites. However, the Promise was extended to Abraham's seed so that the whosoever will may enter into this Covenant and receive this Promise.
Part 3 and 4 will go deeper into 3) the means of the the solution, and 4) how all may become partakers of the solution thus we will not endeavour to go that deep this time which may leave it a little vague. It is sufficient to say that, if the seed is Christ the we find the Promise only in Christ and enter the Covenant of Abraham only in Christ.
However, the question remains: What is the Promise? Genesis 12:3 says, And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
The Blessing of Abraham is not wealth as some would teach, although he had great possessions. The Blessing of Abraham is shown in Genesis 17:7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. (bold and underline mine).
The Blessing is to be a God unto him. And further the Scripture says in, Romans 4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
The Promise is Blessing and the Blessing is Justification by Faith that comes through the seed of Abraham, Christ, through which God could be a God unto [him].
Remember, God told the gospel in Genesis 3:15, the proto evangelion (Latin), when He said, And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Thus, the Promise was given long before even Abraham of the seed whose heel would be bruised by Satan and who would crush Satan's head. That seed, as stated, is Jesus Christ and His heel was bruised and Satan's head was crushed at the Cross. God's Promise fulfilled in Christ. The Covenant complete within Christ, fully God and fully man, who reconciled the two removing the enmity (hostility) that separated us (Ephesians 2:15-16).
Part 2: The Solution, then is the Promise.
Coming soon - Part 3: The Means of the Solution. We have already alluded to it for it is impossible not to when talking of this subject.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Randy.
This post focuses on the Solution. The original Scripture below has all the four Parts of the series in one verse. They are 1) mankind's real problem, 2) the solution, 3) the means of the the solution, and 4) how we may become partakers of the solution.
Galatians 3:22 But 1) the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that 2) the promise 3) by faith of Jesus Christ might be 4) given to them that believe.
The problem then is clearly sin. What then is the Solution? The Promise.
What is the Promise? I learned in Bible College 101 and every Christian needs to learn that the best way to interpret Scripture is by Scripture and I might add by the Guidance of the Holy Spirit.
What does Paul say? Galatians 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
The Promise is that made to Abraham 430 years before the Law. That Promise known as the Abrahamic Covenant was given to Abraham as God began to make a people for Himself, the Israelites. However, the Promise was extended to Abraham's seed so that the whosoever will may enter into this Covenant and receive this Promise.
Part 3 and 4 will go deeper into 3) the means of the the solution, and 4) how all may become partakers of the solution thus we will not endeavour to go that deep this time which may leave it a little vague. It is sufficient to say that, if the seed is Christ the we find the Promise only in Christ and enter the Covenant of Abraham only in Christ.
However, the question remains: What is the Promise? Genesis 12:3 says, And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
The Blessing of Abraham is not wealth as some would teach, although he had great possessions. The Blessing of Abraham is shown in Genesis 17:7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. (bold and underline mine).
The Blessing is to be a God unto him. And further the Scripture says in, Romans 4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
The Promise is Blessing and the Blessing is Justification by Faith that comes through the seed of Abraham, Christ, through which God could be a God unto [him].
Remember, God told the gospel in Genesis 3:15, the proto evangelion (Latin), when He said, And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Thus, the Promise was given long before even Abraham of the seed whose heel would be bruised by Satan and who would crush Satan's head. That seed, as stated, is Jesus Christ and His heel was bruised and Satan's head was crushed at the Cross. God's Promise fulfilled in Christ. The Covenant complete within Christ, fully God and fully man, who reconciled the two removing the enmity (hostility) that separated us (Ephesians 2:15-16).
Part 2: The Solution, then is the Promise.
Coming soon - Part 3: The Means of the Solution. We have already alluded to it for it is impossible not to when talking of this subject.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Randy.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Man's Real Problem Part 1
In Galatians 3:22 the Apostle Paul writes, But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
In this one verse Paul tells us 1) mankind's real problem, 2) the solution, 3) the means of the the solution, and 4) how we may become partakers of the solution.
One of the major problems of the church at large today, especially the "seeker friendly" variety as well as the "word of faith" factions, is that they ignore man's real problem. This is not just man's most important problem, biggest problem, most pressing problem, etc. but rather the root of every problem which are really only symptoms. The world, and sadly, the modern church, creates man made methods for the purpose of solving these "symptoms". They are calling the symptoms the problem in many cases and sometimes what they are trying to solve is neither problem nor symptom. They are merely attempting to give people what they think they want. But, that is another article.
What is man's real problem? The Bible makes it abundantly clear, from Genesis 3 through Revelation 22:21. Paul, here, plainly tells us it is sin. Yes, the word still exists. S - I - N. And not only does Paul plainly tells us it is sin but that it is Scripture, and not he, nor anyone else, that has concluded this fact and that all are included. Sin in this verse has the definite article with it in the Greek which could have been translated "the sin" and refers to the sin nature. The part of us that makes us sin, that we are slaves to. The part of us that we received due to Adam's sin which brought about the fall of man in Genesis 3.
Everyone is born with a sin nature into a fallen world and all commit sins (Romans 3:23; 5:12). When something bad happens to us whether it be sickness or something else it is not necessarily a direct result of a specific sin in our lives. Job proves this as well does Jesus in John 9:2-3 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. It is however a result of a fallen and sinful world.
Man has one problem in this world and that is sin. The Good News is that there is a Solution to this problem!
Coming Soon Part 2: The Solution
In this one verse Paul tells us 1) mankind's real problem, 2) the solution, 3) the means of the the solution, and 4) how we may become partakers of the solution.
One of the major problems of the church at large today, especially the "seeker friendly" variety as well as the "word of faith" factions, is that they ignore man's real problem. This is not just man's most important problem, biggest problem, most pressing problem, etc. but rather the root of every problem which are really only symptoms. The world, and sadly, the modern church, creates man made methods for the purpose of solving these "symptoms". They are calling the symptoms the problem in many cases and sometimes what they are trying to solve is neither problem nor symptom. They are merely attempting to give people what they think they want. But, that is another article.
What is man's real problem? The Bible makes it abundantly clear, from Genesis 3 through Revelation 22:21. Paul, here, plainly tells us it is sin. Yes, the word still exists. S - I - N. And not only does Paul plainly tells us it is sin but that it is Scripture, and not he, nor anyone else, that has concluded this fact and that all are included. Sin in this verse has the definite article with it in the Greek which could have been translated "the sin" and refers to the sin nature. The part of us that makes us sin, that we are slaves to. The part of us that we received due to Adam's sin which brought about the fall of man in Genesis 3.
Everyone is born with a sin nature into a fallen world and all commit sins (Romans 3:23; 5:12). When something bad happens to us whether it be sickness or something else it is not necessarily a direct result of a specific sin in our lives. Job proves this as well does Jesus in John 9:2-3 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. It is however a result of a fallen and sinful world.
Man has one problem in this world and that is sin. The Good News is that there is a Solution to this problem!
Coming Soon Part 2: The Solution
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