Good morning,

Salvation is the first act of obedience for all individuals. Second is baptism. Scriptural baptism is by immersion and pictures the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. But what does that mean in the life of a believer?

Romans 6 answers that question. Verses 1-15 teach us about what baptism means to us. When we received Christ as Savior and were baptized, we identified ourselves with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. That means we are dead to sin, we walk in newness of life, and are freed from the dominion of sin. Do we still sin? Yes, but that is not our lifestyle. We repent and move on.

Read and reflect on what Jesus has done for us.

1) Believers must die to sin and live to Christ (6:1-2)

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? ² God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

“That is, we are dead to the dominion of sin. Christ died for our sin, in our place. Now sin cannot take a believer to Hell. We have a new Master-Christ. This official separation from the lordship of sin over doomed slaves is pictured in baptism (vv 3,5). Counting the old man dead, we had a funeral for him in baptism; but as Christ died in our place and arose, we can also claim Christ’s resurrection power (cf. Phil. 3:10). We should live as taking Christ’s place in righteousness and service, as he took our place as sinners.” (The Rice Study Bible, 1981, Dr. John R. Rice, D.D., Litt. D., S.T.D., pg 1216)

2) Believers identify with Christ in baptism (6:3-10)

³ Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? ⁴ Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. ⁵ For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: ⁶ Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. ⁷ For he that is dead is freed from sin. ⁸ Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: ⁹ Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. ¹⁰ For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

“The unconverted man has a tainted, fallen, sinful nature. When one is saved, he is given a new nature. Therefore, we are exhorted to “put off” the manner of life of the “old man” (cf. Eph. 4:22, Col. 3:9), count him crucified with Christ, and never allow his control. Still the flesh “lustiest against the Spirit” (Gal. 5:17); and Paul, like all Christians, experienced the conflict between the “inward man” and the flesh (cf. 7:15-25).” (The Rice Study Bible, 1981, Dr. John R. Rice, D.D., Litt. D., S.T.D., pg 1216)

3) Believers are made alive unto God through Christ Jesus (6:11-15)

¹¹ Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. ¹² Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. ¹³ Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. ¹⁴ For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. ¹⁵ What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

“We are to count self dead, that is, with no right now to control. We are to take up the cross daily (cf. Luke 9:23). We are to resist the old nature, not yield to it (vv. 12-13). (The Rice Study Bible, 1981, Dr. John R. Rice, D.D., Litt. D., S.T.D., pg 1216)

Tomorrow we will look at verses 16-23.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

The more burdens we put on His shoulders

(Charles Spurgeon)

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble!” Psalm 46:1

Scripture promises are not meant to be looked at only–but to be appropriated. Even our Lord Jesus is given to us for our present use. Believer, you do not make use of Christ as you ought to do.

When you are in trouble, why do you not tell Him all your grief? Has He not a sympathizing heart, and can He not comfort and relieve you? But no, you are going about to all your friends–except your best Friend; and telling your tale everywhere, except into the bosom of your Lord.

Are you burdened with this day’s sins? Here is a fountain filled with blood–use it, saint, use it!

Has a sense of guilt returned upon you? The pardoning grace of Jesus may be used again and again. Come to Him at once for cleansing!

Do you deplore your spiritual weakness? He is your strength–why not lean upon Him?
Do you feel yourself spiritually sick? Use the cable of prayer, and call up the Beloved Physician! He will give the cordial that will revive you.

You are spiritually poor–but then you have “a kinsman, a mighty man of wealth.” What! will you not go to Him, and ask Him to give you out of His abundance, when He has given you the promise that you shall be joint-heir with Him; and has made over all that He is and all that He has—to be yours?

There is nothing Christ dislikes more, than for His people to make a show-thing of Him, and not to use Him. He loves to be employed by us. The more burdens we put on His shoulders–the more precious will He be to us!

“He has given us His very great and precious promises!” 2 Peter 1:4
~  ~  ~  ~ 

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

A holy man!

(J.C. Ryle)

Holiness is the habit of being of one mind with God, according as we find His mind described in Scripture. It is the habit of . . .
  agreeing with God’s judgment,
  hating what He hates,
  loving what He loves, and
  measuring everything in this world by the standard of His Word.

A holy man will strive to be like our Lord Jesus Christ. He will not only live a life of faith in Him and draw from Him all his daily peace and strength, but he will also labor to have the mind that was in Him and to be conformed to His image!
~ ~ ~ ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

These scars are the memorials of the fight!

(Charles Spurgeon)

“Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne!” Revelation 5:6

Why should our exalted Lord appear in His wounds, in glory?

The wounds of Jesus are His glories, His jewels, His sacred ornaments. To the eye of the believer, Jesus is lovely because He is “white and ruddy”–white with innocence, and ruddy with His own blood. We see Him as the Lily of matchless purity–and as the Rose crimsoned with His own gore. Christ is lovely in His life and His teaching–but oh! there never was such a matchless Christ as He who hung upon the cross! There we behold . . .
  all His beauties in perfections,
  all His attributes developed,
  all His love drawn out,
  all His character expressed!

Beloved, the wounds of Jesus are far more lovely in our eyes than all the splendor and pomp of kings! The thorny crown is more attractive than any imperial diadem. Jesus wears the appearance of a slain Lamb as His court dress in which He wooed our souls, and redeemed them by His complete atonement.

Nor are these only the ornaments of Christ–they are the trophies of His love and of His victory! He has redeemed for Himself a great multitude whom no man can number–and these scars are the memorials of the fight!

Ah! if Christ delights to retain the thought of His sufferings for His people–then how precious should His wounds be to us!

    “Behold how every wound of His,
     A precious balm distills,
     Which heals the scars that sin had made,
     And cures all mortal ills!

     Those wounds are mouths that preach His grace,
     The ensigns of His love;
     The seals of our expected bliss,
     In paradise above!”
    ~ ~ ~ ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

God’s omnipresence means that God is everywhere at all times.

A comfort to the believer, and a terror to the unbeliever!

(R.C. Sproul)

“His eyes are on the ways of men; He sees their every step!” Job 34:21

“The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.” Proverbs 15:3

“Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?” declares the LORD. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” Jeremiah 23:24

The doctrine of God’s omnipresence appropriately fills us with awe.

In addition, the doctrine also proves to be comforting. We can always be certain of God’s undivided attention. We don’t ever need to stand in line or make an appointment to be with God. When we are in God’s presence, He is not preoccupied with events on the other side of the world.

The doctrine is, of course, not at all comforting to the unbeliever. There is no place to hide from God! There is no corner of the universe where God is not. The wicked in Hell are not separated from God–only from His benevolence. His wrath is with them constantly.

For the unbeliever, the doctrine highlights the fact that people cannot hide from God. Their sins are done in God’s presence. Like Adam, they seek to hide. However, there is no corner of the universe that God’s gaze, either in love or wrath, fails to reach.

God’s omnipresence is a comfort to the believer, and a terror to the unbeliever!

“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:13
    ~ ~ ~ ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

All the ‘littles’ of our little world!

(Charles Spurgeon)

Divine omniscience affords no comfort to the ungodly mind, “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account!” Hebrews 4:13

But to the child of God it overflows with consolation, “How precious also are Your thoughts unto me, O God.” Psalm 139:17

God is always thinking upon us; He never turns aside His mind from us, and has us always before His eyes! This is precisely as we would have it–for it would be dreadful to exist for a moment, beyond the observation of our heavenly Father! His thoughts are always filial, tender, loving, wise–and they bring to us countless benefits. Hence it is a choice delight for us to remember them.

The Lord has always thought upon His people–hence their election and the covenant of grace by which their salvation is secured.

He always will think upon them–hence their continual preservation by which they shall be brought safely to their heavenly rest.

In all our wanderings, the watchful glance of the Eternal Watcher is evermore fixed upon us! We never roam beyond the Shepherd’s eye! In our sorrows He observes us incessantly, and not a pang escapes Him! In our toils He marks all our weariness, and writes in His book all the struggles of His faithful ones. These thoughts of the Lord encompass us in all our paths, and penetrate the innermost region of our being. Not a nerve or tissue, valve or vessel, of our bodily organization is uncared for. All the ‘littles’ of our little world, are thought upon by the great God!

Dear reader, is not this precious to you? The Lord lives and thinks upon you!

If the Lord thinks upon you, then all is well, and you may rejoice evermore!
 ~ ~ ~ ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain!

(Alexander Smellie, “The Hour of Silence” 1899)  LISTEN to audio!  Download audio

“Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne!” Revelation 5:6

“Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang: Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” Revelation 5:11-12

The Lamb of God is the center of this mystic and glowing book of the Revelation.

There is the Lamb with His wounds–the Lamb that was slain. Even in Heaven He carries those scars of His passion and death. Even in Heaven I shall be perpetually reminded that I owe everything to Calvary, and to Him who was both Victor and Victim there!

There is the Lamb in His royalty–the Lamb in the center of the Throne. The Head that once was crowned with the sharp thorns, is crowned with regal glory now! I rejoice in it for Christ’s sake. I rejoice in it for my own sake, for what is there which He cannot do for me, His little one? Over the world of nature and men, over unseen principalities and powers–He rules that He may befriend my soul.

There is the Lamb shepherding His own people–the Lamb shall lead them. To all eternity He will shepherd me, feed me, protect me, uphold me! I shall never be able to dispense with Him. I shall never wish to stand alone, outside His keeping and His care. Through the everlasting years, I shall avow myself my dear Lord’s debtor.

There is the Lamb in His triumphs–the Lamb shall overcome them. So, one day, I shall see all my enemies routed and dead. One happy day, I shall be entirely freed from the antagonism and harassment of my sins! He who is for me, is mightier than the hosts arrayed against me!

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”
   ~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

The believer’s best day!

Ecclesiastes 7:1 “The day of death is better than the day of birth!”

Philippians 1:21 “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain!”

Philippians 1:23 “I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far!”

Charles Spurgeon, “The best moment of a Christian’s life is his last one, because it is the one that is nearest Heaven.”

William Nicholson,
“Death ends all the conflicts and trials and sorrows of the righteous.
 Death is the commencement of all the woes of the wicked.”

Richard Sibbes,
“Death will be:
 the death of my misery,
 the death of my sins,
 the death of my corruptions.
But death will be my birthday in regard of happiness.”

Adoniram Judson, “When Christ calls me home, I shall go with the gladness of a boy bounding away from school!”

John Calvin, “We may positively state that nobody has made any progress in the school of Christ, unless he cheerfully looks forward towards the day of his death.”

Samuel Bolton, “It is the privilege of saints, that they shall not die until the best time; not until when, if they were but rightly informed, they would desire to die.”

Thomas Watson, “For the child of God, death is the funeral of all his sorrows!”

John Bunyan, “Death is but a passage out of a prison, into a palace!”

William Gurnall,
“Let your hope of Heaven master your fear of death.
 Why should you be afraid to die, who hope to live by dying?”

John Newton,
“I am packed, sealed, and waiting for the post!
 Who would desire to live always in this poor world?”

William Nicholson, “We are ever gliding down the stream of time into the ocean of eternity!“

Charles Spurgeon, “He who does not prepare for death is more than an ordinary fool. He is a madman!”

Job 16:22 “Only a few years will pass, before I go on the journey of no return!“

Psalm 90:12 “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom!”

Colossians 3:1-4 “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory!”
   ~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

When I hide myself in the Rock of Ages cleft for me!

(Alexander Smellie, “The Hour of Silence” 1899)  LISTEN to audio!  Download audio

“As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people both now and forevermore!” Psalm 125:2

God, to the humble heart that leans on Him, is like the mountains which surround Jerusalem.

In the mountain, there is safety.
In this dangerous world, I am . . .
  pursued and hunted by principalities and powers,
  in peril of traps and snares and temptations,
  unable to secure my deliverance.

But God in Jesus Christ, becomes . . .
  my Refuge,
  my Rock,
  my Fortress,
  my Shield,
  my Deliverer,
  and my Strength!

I flee to Him, and I am in a secure dwelling. There is no evil which can befall me now. When I hide myself in the Rock of Ages cleft for me, then who can separate me from the love of Christ? That Rock Himself would have to crumble, before any harm could come to my soul! I am so weak in myself, yet so strong in my Savior!

In the mountain, there is assurance.
I feel that the ground is solid and stable underneath my feet.
My sorrow and sighing should flee away.
My fears should be scattered.
The Father and the Son and the Spirit are eternally mine!
From all forebodings and anxieties, my Lord means me to be set free.

In the mountain, there is everlastingness.
My soul is wise when it builds its life-house on the Rock of . . .
  God’s promises,
  God’s grace,
  God’s salvation!
The storm will never be able to blow it down.
The gates of Hell will never prevail against it.
Through the countless and varied changes of my lot, through death and through the long eternity that lies beyond–it will endure, incorruptible, immovable, abiding!

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains. Where does my help come from?
 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and earth!
 He will not let your foot slip. He who watches over you will not slumber.
 The Lord watches over you. The Lord is your shade at your right hand;
 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
 The Lord will keep you from all harm–He will watch over your life.
 The Lord will watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore!”
     Psalm 121
   ~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chapla1n@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Fixing our eyes on Jesus!

(Alexander Smellie, “The Hour of Silence” 1899)  LISTEN to audio!  Download audio

“Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith!” Hebrews 12:2

This is how I am justified and forgiven. Not by the hopeless endeavor to win and fight my way to the favor of God and the Celestial City–but by looking to Jesus alone, and by leaning on Him absolutely.
“Nothing in my hands I bring,
 Simply to Your cross I cling!”

This is how I find assurance. I am tossed with tempest, overcast with doubt, haunted with fear–while I scrutinize my own frames and feelings. But when I fix my gaze steadfastly on Him, so all-sufficient, so perfect–the morning awakens and the shadows decay; behold, the winter is past, and the flowers appear! For my own comfort, I would see Him as a glorious Sun filling my sky.

This is how I grow holy. While indeed I am bidden to work out my own salvation with fear and trembling, it must not be as if everything depended on me. It must rather be by a perpetual faith in Him, and a perpetual prayer to Him, who works in me to will and to do according to His good purpose! The battle is not mine, but His. He sows the seed, and He ripens the harvest. He lays the foundation, and He puts the top-stone in its fitting place.

This is how I shall be glorified in the end. Self will have vanished in the better country, and Christ will be ALL! I shall follow the Lamb wherever He goes. I shall find my safety, my peace, my victory–in keeping very close to Him. He will be familiar, and yet He will be new every morning. And I shall discover in Him a subject of study, and wonder, and worship, and love–which is illimitable and unfathomable!

“Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith!” Hebrews 12:2
 Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com