“Unto the church… which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 1:1). I pray that each of us would truly be in God and in His Son, Jesus Christ. This is accomplished by allowing their lives to shine through ours. Paul wrote, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).   

What Do Angels Do? 

by Lynnford Beachy 

For many years the existence of angels has been questioned. Our first parents, Adam and Eve, were well aware of the fact that angels exist. The Bible informs us that God placed Cherubim (angels) at the entrance of the Garden of Eden to keep anyone from entering. For many years these angels were visible to mankind as a witness of the awful results of sin. In those days there was no question of the existence of angels. However, today we do not have a visible manifestation of angels for all to behold, which has caused some to question their existence. Yet, what does the Bible have to say about this? 

Even among those who believe that angels exist there are misunderstandings regarding who they are. Some have maintained that angels are spirits of dead people. Is this true? You will notice that the first time angels appeared to mankind (in the Garden of Eden) was many years before anyone had ever died, not to mention the fact that “the dead know not any thing” (Ecclesiastes 9:5). Therefore, it is impossible for angels to be the spirits of dead people. 

Throughout the Bible we find instances where angels have appeared to men. God has often sent His angels to encourage, strengthen, enlighten, or warn His people. Do angels have anything to do with the events in your daily life? Do you have a personal guardian angel who has been appointed by God to protect you? 

This study is designed to examine what the Bible says concerning the work of angels in our lives. I pray that you will be blessed by having a more accurate understanding of the goodness of God in providing us with the benefit of the ministry of angels. 

Let us first look at a few words and phrases used in the Bible that refer to angels. 

The Eyes of the Lord 

The phrase, “the eyes of the Lord” has been used several times in the Bible referring to angels. Zechariah was shown a vision in which he beheld a stone with seven eyes. 

“For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day” (Zechariah 3:9). What are these seven eyes that are upon the rock? 

John was shown a vision in which he beheld seven eyes as well. He wrote, “And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth” (Revelation 5:6). The seven eyes are the seven Spirits of God that are sent forth into all the earth. Who are the seven Spirits of God? 

The writer of Hebrews states: “But to which of the angels said He at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” (Hebrews 1:13, 14). The angels of God are ministering spirits sent forth to minister. 

In the first chapter of Revelation John informs us that the seven Spirits are before God’s throne. He wrote, “John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from Him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before His throne” (Revelation 1:4). The seven Spirits are before the throne God. 

John also saw that “all the angels stood round about the throne” (Revelation 7:11). John “heard the voice of many angels round about the throne… and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands” (Revelation 5:11). Many angels are round about God’s throne. The seven Spirits that are before God’s throne are the multitude of angels; ministering spirits sent forth into all the earth. 

Zechariah wrote concerning the eyes of the Lord: “For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven [referring to Zechariah 3:9]; they are the eyes of the Lord, which run to and fro through the whole earth” (Zechariah 4:10). The seven eyes (or the host of angels) run to and fro through the whole earth. This undoubtedly refers to the angels. 

We see the same language used in the second book of Chronicles: “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him” (2 Chronicles 16:9). The eyes of the Lord, spoken of here, are His angels that run to and fro throughout the whole earth to help those whose heart is perfect toward Him. 

A guardian angel protects each one of us. God said, “For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways” (Psalms 91:11). 

The Recording Angels 

Not only do God’s faithful angels watch over and protect us, but they have another duty. “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good” (Proverbs 15:3). God’s angels faithfully record both the evil and the good that we do. 

The angels of God are able to record more than we might think. Solomon wrote concerning this: “Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath [Strong’s #1167] wings [Strong’s #3671] shall tell the matter” (Ecclesiastes 10:20). The Hebrew word that was translated “wings” often represents the angels, as we will see in more detail later. This verse tells us that even the thoughts that we think are being recorded by the angels. This is only possible by the light of God’s Spirit, for God is the only one who can read our thoughts (1 Kings 8:39), and He can reveal them to whomever He will (Acts 5:1-3; 2 Kings 5:20-27). 

“Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird [Strong’s #1167 and #3671—Margin: “in the eyes of everything that hath #1167 wings #3671]” (Proverbs 1:17). In vain the net is spread before us in the sight of God’s angels. 

We can see how this principle was demonstrated for Elisha. “And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha” (2 Kings 6:15-17). There are many angels working behind the scenes of which we are not aware. Thank the Lord for His continual watch-care over us. 

“Hear attentively the noise of His voice, and the sound that goeth out of His mouth. He directeth it under the whole heaven, and His lightning [Strong’s #216 “light for doctrine, teaching,”* “illumination”**] unto the ends of [Strong’s #3671 — Margin: wings] the earth” (Job 37:2, 3). God directs His illumination (light for doctrine) to His angels, and they bring it to us. 

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* Gesenius’ Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament, published by Baker Book House Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Copyright 1979 

** Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, reprinted in 1992 by Baker Book House Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan. 

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When God’s people are in trouble “they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and He saveth them out of their distresses. He sent His word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions” (Psalm 107:19, 20). How did God send His word to deliver them? We just read, in 2 Chronicles 16:9, that the eyes, or the angels, run to and fro throughout the earth to help God’s people. God sent His word, by His angels, to help them. 

“He sendeth forth His commandment upon earth: His word runneth very swiftly” (Psalm 147:15). God sends forth His angels with His words, and it runs very swiftly. 

“Bless the Lord, ye His angels, that excel in strength, that do His commandments, hearkening unto the voice of His word. Bless ye the Lord, all ye His hosts [Strong’s #6635]; ye ministers of His, that do His pleasure” (Psalm 103:20, 21). God’s angels are also called His hosts, hence “The Lord of hosts.” 

The same Hebrew word that was translated “hosts” is found in Psalm 68. “The Lord gave the word: great was the company [Strong’s #6635—host] of those that published it” (Psalm 68:11). The Lord gave His word, and His angels published it unto us, and we in turn are commissioned to preach it to the world. 

Isaiah wrote, “Woe to the land shadowing with wings [Strong’s #3671], which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia: That sendeth ambassadors by the sea, even in vessels of bulrushes upon the waters, saying, Go, ye swift messengers, to a nation scattered and peeled, to a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden down, whose land the rivers have spoiled!” (Isaiah 18:1, 2). The wings, or angels, are swift messengers. 

Ezekiel was shown a vision in which he heard the sound of cherubims’ wings. He wrote, “And the sound of the cherubims’ wings [Strong’s #3671] was heard even to the outer court, as the voice of the Almighty God when He speaketh” (Ezekiel 10:5). The wings were heard, as the voice of the Almighty God. 

The Chariots of God 

Psalm 18 depicts the experience of Christ on the cross. When Christ called out to His Father, the Bible says “He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under His feet. And He rode upon a cherub [a type of angel], and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings [Strong’s #3671] of the wind” (Psalm 18:9, 10). This verse is talking about God, the Father, and says that He rode upon a cherub; upon the wings of the wind. It seems strange that God would use angels as transportation, yet the Bible clarifies this even more. 

David wrote, “The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place” (Psalm 68:17). The chariots of God are a multitude of angels. 

The Psalmist wrote, “Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: Who layeth the beams of His chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds His chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind: Who maketh His angels spirits; His ministers a flaming fire” (Psalm 104:1-4). If the clouds are His chariots, and His chariots are a multitude of angels, then the clouds, in this verse, represent His angels. 

Ezekiel wrote concerning his vision, “And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon He was, to the threshold of the house. And He called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer’s inkhorn by his side” (Ezekiel 9:3). The glory of God was upon the cherub, or the angel. This is His chosen means of transportation. 

Again Ezekiel wrote, “the glory of the Lord went up from the cherub, and stood over the threshold of the house; and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of the Lord’s glory” (Ezekiel 10:4). Again we see that the Lord rides upon a cherub. 

Ezekiel continues his description of his vision: “Then the glory of the Lord departed from off the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubims. And the cherubims lifted up their wings, and mounted up from the earth in my sight: when they went out, the wheels also were beside them, and every one stood at the door of the east gate of the Lord’s house; and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above. This is the living creature that I saw under the God of Israel by the river of Chebar; and I knew that they were the cherubims” (Ezekiel 10:18-20). Clearly we can see that the cherubims were chosen to transport the God of Israel from one place to another. 

The prophet Daniel wrote, “I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought Him near before Him” (Daniel 7:13). Here we see that the Son of God uses the angels to be transported from one place to another. The clouds of heaven in this verse, as we have already seen, represent the angels of God. 

The Gift of the Spirit 

Days after Christ’s ascension into heaven God gave His disciples the gift of His Spirit in great measure. Luke wrote, “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:1-4). Could the sound they heard have been the sound of angels’ wings? Could the cloven tongues of fire have represented the angels that were made a flaming fire? (Psalm 104:4; Hebrews 1:7). 

Olive Trees and a Candlestick 

God gave Zechariah a very interesting vision which sheds wonderful light on the ministry of angels. Zechariah described it: “And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep, And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof” (Zechariah 4:1, 2). What does a candlestick represent? 

Christ explained to John, “The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches” (Revelation 1:20). Candlesticks represent churches. What are churches? They are groups of people. The candlesticks represent God’s people. 

Zechariah continued explaining his vision. He wrote, “And two olive trees by it [the candlestick], one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof” (Zechariah 4:3). When the angel that talked with Zechariah explained the meaning of these two olive trees, he said, “These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth” (Zechariah 4:14). The two olive trees are the two anointed ones (cherubs) that stand before the Lord. 

The cherubs are anointed as described by the prophet Ezekiel. “Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire” (Ezekiel 28:14). The anointed ones are cherubs, or angels. 

The angel that talked with Zechariah began his interpretation of the vision by informing him, “This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6). This vision was given to explain how God’s Spirit is received. 

The angel queried Zechariah, “What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof? And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves?” (Zechariah 4:11, 12). The two olive trees, God’s angels, empty out of themselves the golden oil, God’s Spirit, into the bowls of the candlestick, or the minds of God’s people. God has chosen that His Spirit comes to us through the angelic host. If you remember in Job 37:2, 3, the Lord directs His lightning (light for doctrine) unto the angels, who, in turn, empty themselves into us. 

This truth was explained in the first verse of Revelation. John wrote, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to shew unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass; and He sent and signified it by His angel unto His servant John” (Revelation 1:1). The Father gave a revelation of Jesus Christ to His Son, who, in turn, gave it to His angel, who finally was sent to bring it to John. God has chosen to use this chain of revelation, from the Father, to His Son, to His angels, to His people, who share it with other people. 

Paul wrote that even humans can impart God’s Spirit to others after it has been imparted to them. “He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?” (Galatians 3:5). Job said, “To whom hast thou uttered words? and whose spirit came from thee?” (Job 26:4). We have an influence upon people by our words and actions. In this way we minister spirit to others. The spirit we minister depends upon whose spirit is leading us. Whose spirit is coming forth from you? 

Conclusion 

We have seen that God’s angels bring us His word, they record our thoughts and actions, they strengthen us, they protect us, they bring us His Spirit, and they are the chariots of God. Now we can better understand what David meant when he wrote, “I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah” (Psalm 61:4). And again, “How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings” (Psalm 36:7) I pray that we would all put our trust under the shadow of God’s wings, for He is well able to preserve us. 

You May Freely Eat? 

by Jim Raymond 

Breaking News: Energy Drinks Linked to Seizures, Sudden Death in Children 

Energy drinks are under-studied, overused and can be dangerous for children and teens, warns a report by doctors who say kids shouldn’t use the popular products. 

The potential harms are caused mostly by too much caffeine or similar ingredients. Symptoms include heart palpitations, seizures, strokes and even sudden death. 

This is reported in the the medical journal: Pediatrics, and released to the news media under this header: 

LINDSEY TANNER - AP Medical Writer — February 14, 2011 — CHICAGO (AP) — “Energy Drinks Linked to Health Problems in Children.” 

I get most of my food related news on member-only food industry internet sites, so the best I can do for now is to give you the CHICAGO (AP) wire header, and you can search for the details on the internet or at your public library if you need this information. 

Blessings!  JR 

Something for the Young at Heart 

This month we are continuing a series of crossword Bible studies based on the book, Bible Handbook, by Stephen Haskell. In order to maintain the flow of the study, this crossword puzzle is not split into Across and Down sections—Across or Down is indicated at the end of each line. (The KJV is required.) 

How to Teach the Word of God 

• Jesus said, “____ the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life.” John 5:39—4 Down 
• “…The Holy Ghost teacheth; ____ spiritual things with spiritual.” 1 Corinthians 2:13—5 Down 
• Jesus “expounded unto them in all the ____ the things concerning himself.” Luke 24:27—9 Across 
• Jesus said, “the scripture cannot be ____.” John 10:34-36—6 Across 

Note: Nothing should be added or taken away from the Scriptures, not even one letter. Changing something from singular to plural is doing injustice to the Word of God. 

• Paul was very particular about singular or plural. He wrote, “...And to thy ____, which is Christ.” Galatians 3:16—10 Across 
• “Ye shall not ____ unto the word which I command you.” Deuteronomy 4:2—11 Across 
• “Neither shall ye ____ ought from it.” Deuteronomy 4:2—12 Across 
• David said, "The spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my ____.” 2 Samuel 23:2—13 Across 
• “And when he had spoken unto me, I was ____, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.” Daniel 10:17, 19—1 Across 
• All scripture is inspired “That the man of God may be perfect, throughly ____ unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16, 17—3 Down 
• Abraham “staggered not at the ____ of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God.” Romans 4:20—8 Down 
• “Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD hath ____ thee from being king over Israel.” 1 Samuel 15:26—2 Down 
• “For ____ is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD...” 1 Samuel 15:22, 23—7 Across 

Answers to Last Month's Crossword

A Testimony to God’s Blueprint 

by Steve Day 

A little over a year ago, my wife and I entered into an Appalachian dark county. Time here has passed so quickly that it is mind boggling for us when we look back at what has taken place this last year. We hope that our experience will bless and encourage others as they strive to establish ministries in their spheres. 

We operate a lifestyle center, Home for Health, originally operated by Hallelujah Acres, which is a non-denominational ministry that is overseen by George Malkmus. They vacated the center and it was vacant for about a year when we arrived. The lifestyle center is in the middle of a large farm, and is ideal for a blueprint ministry that would combine the right arm of the gospel with agriculture. We knew that we had our work cut out for us. We have tried to approach our work the most intelligently as possible. We had a dilemma: we knew that we had to get the word out about what we were doing, but we didn’t have any money for advertising. After being here for three months, running out of money, and feeling like we were failing we found the answer on our knees. We were awaken to Matthew 10:8, “freely ye have received, freely give” and decided that the way to work with people should not be based upon monetary principles like the world. We realized that we could gain awareness to the ministry by working on this principle. Face it, to the average person, most churches and ministries appear to be interested primarily in finances. To many people, ministries do not appear any different than businesses out for money. Whether this is the case or not, we have decided to follow a biblical principle that eliminates this concept from the mind. 

With our direction in mind, I began writing letters to different media outlets and calling radio stations. I didn’t want to sound as if I was trying to get advertising but rather told the producers that I believe their audience would be interested in what we are doing. With this approach, the Lord opened the doors. First, a magazine that covers Eastern Kentucky did a story on us because they liked the idea and also it turned out that the owners were originally from the same part of Washington as we are. 

Next, I called the editor of the local paper (a paper that has a circulation of about 20,000). He was interested in the story but we had trouble scheduling an interview, so I dropped it, but one day I received a phone call from a traveling journalist. He said that the editor of the local paper had given him a call to do the story and that he had about a half hour before his next appointment so he would like to do an interview. He came over saying he only had about fifteen minutes for the interview, but after he heard what we were doing, he was blown away, and ended up staying over two hours. As he left he said, “You know that the Clay City Times contacted me to do a story for them, but I think what you are doing is so fabulous that I would like to send it to every paper that I write for.” He did this, and in the weeks to follow we ended up in over 34 newspapers (with a combined total of nearly a million papers) across the state, and it didn’t cost a cent. 

After a dry spell in the beginning, we didn’t know what to do with all the interest that was generated. We suddenly had invites to speak at various churches and to do demonstrations. On one occasion I went to a Baptist church in the area and after I told them what we do, they invited me to preach, and afterward they told me the pulpit was always open to me. After a few months of working with this church, I was offered the position as pastor of the church. I was flattered, though I knew that it would be too much for us to add to our plate at the time. 

Since then we have been on television and radio programs. We have appeared in several more papers and magazines. And recently, we had a second encounter with a writer, similar to the traveling journalist. We received a phone call from a lady who wrote for a large magazine and we made arrangements to meet. As a result, a very nice article came out to the readers of Kentucky Living Magazine and we have been blessed with many responses. 

Over the course of the last year we have worked with well over 200 individuals from the outlying community. We consult and run various health related tests on them without asking for money. We also run health sessions with nearly a hundred guests coming from all over the United States and as far away as the Netherlands. We have worked with people from all sorts of backgrounds and with all sorts of conditions. One lady, Tina, came to us on ten medications for things like asthma and high blood pressure and in only about three weeks she was able to take herself off of all medications. We have seen tumors actually fall off of guests and we have seen people who are bed ridden get up and walk in only a few days. We know that Christ is the Chief Physician and He is the one who does all the healing but we do feel incredibly blessed to be part of this work. 

We have found that the secret to gaining God’s blessing is found in a full surrender to God and in following the counsels He has given. I have always been interested in the blueprint that God has given to His church regarding health, education and agriculture. Few have this concept of how to operate ministries. Our center is a country outpost away from the city. It is impossible for us to effectually work the city as we truly would like without establishing other ministries in the nearby communities. This requires more man power than one family like ours can supply, and that is why we are counseled to move out in small groups to establish missions. Because of this counsel, we have helped an Adventist physician to find a vacant clinic and open a natural healthcare clinic. We are working to hopefully help establish a health food store in another nearby community. Besides this, we are hoping to get our farm to the point that we can actually gain income from selling the produce and also hold agriculture seminars for the community. Each of these is a means by which to meet and witness to a different group of people and help them to see different aspects of our message, nurture interest, and allow them to accept present truth. We have also begun holding church services at our facility. The attendance has been steadily gaining to fifty or more people and we have the intention, in the not too distant future, to establish a church. 

Because our work deals with people from many religious backgrounds, because most of our interest has come from the “secular” community, and we have gained appreciation from the community, we are being blessed with a match grant for the further development of our farm and agriculture. We hope that this will one day help us to be able to bring in enough income through the farm that we can support more workers here and increase the ministry’s influence. There is a lot happening here in eastern Kentucky and we hope our experience will in some way inspire more zeal and effort in your sphere of influence. We ask for your prayers and appreciate your support as we move forward with the health and agriculture work at Home for Health. 

Steve Day writes from Stanton, Kentucky where he is the Director of Home for Health Lifestyle Center, www.homeforhealth.net. 

Sin Shall Not Have Dominion Over You (Part 5) 

by Charles Fitch 

(Charles Fitch was a pastor of the Free Presbyterian Church of Newark, NJ. In 1840 he wrote a series of letters to the headquarters of his church defending his belief in God’s power to save us from sin. Here are those letters.    Editor) 

When God has plainly revealed to me that He is ready “to sprinkle clean water upon me and make me clean from all my filthiness, and from all my idols to cleanse me, and to save me from all my uncleanness” (Ezekiel 36:25, 29); when I inquire of Him to do it for me; and when He has sworn that He will grant unto me, that “I being delivered out of the hand of my enemies, may serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of my life, and has raised up Christ, an horn of salvation for me, to perform that covenant and oath” (Luke 1:74, 75, 69, 72, 73), and has assured me that “all the promises of God in Christ are yea, and in Him amen, unto the glory of God by me, (2 Corinthians 1:20); do I follow impulses and not the Bible, when I fully trust in Christ, that these promises and this oath of God will be fulfilled to me for Christ’s sake? Can I be in danger of going astray by thus cleaving to my own horn of Salvation, who God has raised up for me, and by just trusting in Him that He will perform in me the very thing that He came to do? 

On this point, my brother, my heart is oppressed, and labors for words to express its gushing emotions. I seem, to myself to be standing in a position whence two ways diverge. In the one, I see a class of persons walking, who cry out, “Away with the Sabbath days, ordinances and the written Word of God – away with all the laws and rules of conduct, both human and divine. We need no law, no rule of faith or practice, no means of grace, no private devotion and communion with our Father in secret, no domestic altars, no earnest, wrestling prayer, and faithful, persevering effort, to convert a lost world to God. We dwell in Christ and He in us, and therefore we cannot sin; and whatever impulse we feel, we know to be the influence of the Holy Ghost, who cannot err, and we may therefore safely follow wherever such an influence leads.” In the ears of such I would cry out at the top of my voice, “Danger, danger, danger! Beware, beware! God is not in such a path! Avoid it — pass not by it — turn from it and pass away!” Here is the class of men called Perfectionists. Can I walk with them upon such ground? Not a hair’s breadth. So far from forsaking the commandments and ordinances of the Lord, my Bible tells me to “submit myself to every ordinance of man even, for the Lord’s sake” (1 Peter 2:13), “that the powers that be are ordained of God,” and that “whosoever, therefore, resisteth the power resisteth the ordinance of God.” (Romans 13:1, 2). With such men, on such subjects, I have, I can have, no sympathy. I believe there are some truly converted souls who fall into these errors, and are dreadfully led astray. I believe that others take up these notions, in whose hearts no fear of God ever for a moment had a place, and follow them out into all manner of licentious and criminal excess. Such become the most perfect and accomplished servants of Satan, that he ever raises up to do his work. I cannot conceive that the arch deceiver can ever originate a worse set of principles than these. I could as soon sympathize with any form of infidelity that ever cursed the earth. 

But on the other hand, and in the other path, I see a multitude of professed believers walking, who, through fear of going astray, dare not believe God when He tells them, “I will cleanse you from all your filthiness, and from all your idols” (Ezekiel 36:25), and when He swears to them that He “will grant unto them, that they being delivered out of the hand of their enemies, may serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of their life.” (Luke 1:74, 75). Can I sympathize with the unbelief of such? I believe that it is their privilege, and my privilege, so to “abide in Christ, that we sin not” (1 John 3:6), — that “the work of such righteousness is peace; the effect of such righteousness, quietness and assurance forever; and that all who thus believe in Christ, may find in Him a peaceful habitation, a sure dwelling, a quiet resting-place.” (Isaiah 32:17, 18). I long to have God’s people know and enjoy their high privilege of thus abiding in Christ, for I fully believe that it will redound in the highest degree to God’s honor and their good. This view of sanctification, I claim, has nothing to do with the essential element of what is termed Perfectionism. Their name and their principles I utterly disavow, and declare to the world that no man has a right to charge them upon me. 

But when I look around upon the professed followers of my Saviour, and see how little they know, apparently, and how little they seem to enjoy of this great salvation of our God, I feel like lifting the prayer – 

“Every weary, wandering spirit, guide into Thy perfect peace.” 

And when I see how many, bearing the name of Christ, seem wandering among doubts and fears, and groping in thick darkness at noon day, falling before spiritual enemies whom they know not how to vanquish, and weeping over repeated commission of sins which they know not how to overcome, I long to say to such – 

“Watchmen! Let thy wondering cease, Hie thee to thy quiet home, Traveller! Lo! the Prince of Peace – Lo! the Son of God is come!” 

Look no longer, like scattered, unbelieving Israel, for a Saviour yet to come. Say, with believing Zacharias, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He hath visited and redeemed His people, and hath raised up an horn of salvation for us, to perform His promised mercy, His covenant, His oath; to deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, and to grant unto us that we may serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life.” (Luke 1:68, 69, 72, 75). 

You ask me, finally, concerning myself. Here, dear brother, I speak with unfeigned difference. I love to look at my Saviour, and to hold Him forth in all His fullness to my needy, perishing fellow men. But in myself, aside from what the grace of God has done, and shall do for me, I find nothing but the dark and perfect lineaments of Beelzebub, the prince of devils. I speak sincerely, my brother. I know that if God should withdraw His grace from me, and leave me to myself, there is not a sin within reach of my powers, which I would not instantly commit and practice forever. 

And now, having told you what I think of myself, to my own shame, permit me to tell you what I think of the grace of God, to his praise. God has promised to “dwell in me, and walk in me, and be my God” (2 Corinthians 6:16), and this I consider a pledge of every possible good which He can give me. “Having therefore such promises,” I expect, by trusting in Christ, that they will be fulfilled to me for His sake, “to be cleansed from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, and to perfect holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 7:1). 

My God has sworn that He will grant me, that I, being delivered out of the hand of my enemies, may serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of my life; and He has raised up Jesus Christ to be my horn of salvation, to perform to me this mercy promised to our fathers, to remember this holy covenant, this oath which He swear. I do therefore expect, through the strength and faithfulness of my Lord Jesus Christ, in performing to me this holy covenant and oath of God, to be delivered out of the hand of my enemies, and to serve God without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of my life. I expect that He, according to His own promise, will be faithful to sanctify me wholly, and to preserve my whole spirit, and soul, and body, blameless, unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. In myself, I am nothing but a miserable, lost sinner; but in my Saviour “dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily,” and He has made me “complete in Him.” (Colossians 2:9, 10). I therefore expect to “abide in Him;” and “Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not.” (1 John 3:6). 

And now, my brother, as to what I expect to preach, I have only to say, that I expect to uncover to my fellow men, just so far and just so long as my God shall enable me, “this fountain which has been opened for the house of David, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and uncleanness.” (Zechariah 13:1). I expect to do all in my power to make my fellow men acquainted with the “holy covenant of our God, and the oath which He swear, that He will grant unto us, that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, may serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our lives;” and that Christ is our “horn of salvation” (Luke 1:72-75,69) to perform this covenant; this oath of a covenant-keeping God; that His, and every other promise of God “is yea and amen in Christ unto the glory of God by us.” (2 Corinthians 1:20). That He who hath called them is faithful to sanctify them wholly, and to preserve their whole spirit, and soul, and body blameless, unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:23). That Christ gave Himself for us, that He might sanctify and cleanse us with the washing of water by the word, that He might present us to Himself, a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that we should be holy and without blemish (Ephesians 5:25-27); and that they have only, like Paul, “to believe God that it shall be even as it was told them” (Acts 27:25); and, like Abraham, to stagger not at the promise of God, being fully persuaded that what God hath promised He is able also to perform (Romans 4:20, 21); and like Sarah to judge Him faithful that hath promised (Hebrews 11:11); and by placing this confidence in their Saviour, they shall so receive the fulfillment of God’s exceeding great and precious promises, as to “become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2 Peter 1:4); that having these promises and this faith in Christ for their fulfillment, “they shall cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, and perfect holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 7:1). This, my brother, I regard as the glory, the crowning excellency of the gospel, the brightest star in the whole firmament of revealed truth; and with my Saviour’s permission, I expect to point my fellow men to this Day Star of hope, until the hand that points them is given to the worms. It is, to my soul, a fountain of living waters, a well spring of life, and I expect to say to my fellow men, “Ho! Every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and buy and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk, without money and without price” (Isaiah 55:1); and cease not, until the lips that are allowed the high privilege of uttering such an invitation, can speak no more. 

And, now, my dear brother, you have my whole heart laid open, without reserve; and to God I commit myself, and His truth, and the cause of the Saviour, dearer to me than life. “Now unto Him that is able to keep us from falling, and to present us faultless before the presence of His glory, with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion, and power, both now and ever. Amen.” (Jude 24, 25). 

    Your servant in the gospel, 

Charles Fitch 

To be Continued… 

(This article was taken from pages 25-29 of the book entitled, Sin Shall Not Have Dominion Over You, by Charles Fitch.    Editor) 

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