“For whosoever shall call upon the NAME of the LORD shall be saved.” Romans 10:13. These are “the remnant whom the LORD” calls into HIS name. Joel 2:32. These are they who have heard “the voice of the SON of GOD,” John 5:25, and consequently are calling upon his NAME, continually, (“by HIM therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his NAME,” Hebrews 13:15,) exclusively, (“neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other NAME under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved,” Acts 4:12,) and savingly, (“the NAME of the LORD is a strong tower, the righteous runneth into it, and is safe,” Proverbs 18:10,) or saved. “Ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the NAME of the Lord Jesus.” I Corinthians 6:11. What is this calling upon the NAME of the LORD? Whatever it entails, it certainly is nothing less than renouncing our own name, our own life, everything that we are in ourselves, in our name, and losing our identity in ANOTHER. “This is the NAME wherewith she shall be called, the LORD our righteousness.” Jeremiah 33:1. This is that “NAME which is above every name,” and the only NAME which gives us “access by one Spirit unto the Father,” Ephesians 2:18, and the only NAME that we should be confessing to the exclusion of everything else! Rejoicing in that name alone, (“in thy NAME shall they rejoice all the day, and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted,” Psalm 89:16,) trusting in that name exclusively, (“I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the NAME of the LORD,” Zephaniah 3:12,) and abiding therein, (“and now, little children, abide in HIM,” I John 2:28,) in a complete abandonment and total surrender to the fact that there really is salvation in no other NAME, but in this NAME exclusively, “which is above every name,” Philippians 2:9, and all our identity/name (“I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet not I, but CHRIST,” Galatians 2:20,) - everything we are, and “whatsoever we do in word or deed” is all “in the NAME of the Lord Jesus,” Colossians 3:17, (not audaciously, acting as if we were His only legitimate witness on earth,) but truthfully as our identity is lost in Christ, (“whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it,” Matthew 16:25,) and everything to do with our salvation from beginning to end, is unified and amalgamated under that name, and this confession is “to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:11. May we be found amongst the “sanctified in Christ Jesus,” called saints, and with all that in every place call upon the NAME of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours,” I Corinthians 1:2, those that are calling upon the “NAME of the LORD, for his NAME alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.” Psalm 148:13. MPJ

CREATION: In contemplating the glories of what I would call the ‘naked’ creation – the world, with all its majestic splendors, considered in and of itself, and how everything works together in such perfect harmony. The sun, moon & stars; the mountains, oceans & forests; the trees, flowers & grass; the birds singing their praises unto their Creator – in fact all of creation echoing forth the glory of God in such distinctive tones of creation glory, from the smallest atom to the vastness of the universe itself – God’s majesty is so clearly evident, so gloriously engraven in characters that are so bright, so distinct, and so eminent, that none whomsoever, however educated or uneducated, however dull and insensible can plead ignorance as an excuse. Romans 1:20. Along these same lines of creation splendor & glory we were thinking as well about the various fields of science so called, whether you are talking about earth sciences, like physics, chemistry, biology, geography and mathematics, or whether you're talking about geology, oceanography, meteorology, the space sciences the life sciences, etc., all these vast fields of incomprehensible glory, and each one in and of themselves, and in harmony together, setting forth some particular aspect of creation. And then we have so many individuals - scientists, researchers and philosophers, all so-called experts in their respected fields of expertise, and how the more they take in and understand, or pretend to understand, the more the universe and all its complexities is unfolded before them, the more they are dumbfounded, and the more they are bedazzled by the sheer weightiness and splendor of God's creation glory! And think, that's just in relation to that limited and particular field which they are attempting to explore, everyone just grasping little bits and pieces - just seeing and touching upon the bare essentials of what lies before them - of that glory which they – {at least those that hate Christ & trample upon his creation in their irreverent & unholy thoughts & philosophies} – deny. But even amongst such, surely, there are times when these evidential facts must force themselves on the notice of the most illiterate simpleton and the most profound scientist, who cannot open his eyes without being blinded by the sheer glory of these things. “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse; because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.” Romans 1:20-22. Before leaving this wonderous arena of God’s creation, another thought – along these same lines - comes to mind, as it seems that so very often we are on the very brink of sheer astonishment – yeah, nearly breathless by the profound glory of the simple things that meet our eyes, and engage our senses. Think of the warmth of the sun, the brightness of the stars at night; the blue skies, the white clouds, and the green grass; and then of course we have the oceans, we have cold, we have heat - think about the wagging of a dog's tail, the purring of a cat, and the happy smile on a young child’s face as he reaches out with his longing arms for a warm hug from mom or dad. Infinite instances – infinite glory! These things are all too wonderful! Of course, then we come to conception, birth, our bodies that are so amazingly made... that next breath that we breathe and take for granted! David exclaimed in Psalm 139 that all “such knowledge” was too wonderful for him, it was high, so that he could not attain to it. I think that in an amazing sense that it's all too much, and the Lord puts a governor, as it were, upon our senses, in order that our minds are not blown; or so that we have not such a unwholesome connection to the things of this world, lest we forget, or forsake the things of the Lord! It was a mercy that the Lord guarded the tree to the knowledge of life, and if that tree, how much more those things that we perceive? “Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.” Psalms 145:3. Why does not man give all glory, veneration and praise to God as he ponders the wonders of creation? And if so as we consider the glory of creation, how much more so as we contemplate the glory of salvation! What would drive man to heap upon himself any measure of credit or praise for that which belongs exclusively and entirely to the LORD alone? Jonah 2:9. Is it perhaps that in his innate and sinful determination to be as god - “ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil' Gen.3:5, he becomes much like a man so enamored with his own natural beauty and strength that he forgets what manner of man he actually is, James 1:23-24, and that even 'at his best state is altogether vanity.” Psalm 39:5. “And Abraham answered and said, behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes.' Genesis 18:27. Those in Christ recognize this heart disposition, and fall in line therewith! MPJ

“And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.” Revelation 5:1. This sealed book, (the contents of which are inaccessible, being unrevealed,) and whatever mysterious glory it contains, I thought could be compared to the scriptures themselves, which in like manner are a sealed book, and which in like manner no man can open. Revelation 5:3. The Scriptures are a “sealed book.” The LORD inscripted his words for those to whom they were intended, and those alone. Matthew 11:25. Christ, “answered and said unto them, because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.” Matthew 13:11. When the Lord speaks about a particular people to whom he had given something so incalculably precious and glorious as his own word, ('I have given them thy word,'' John 17:14,') it implies that with that gift, is also given the faith to understand that which is given, Luke 24:45, without which the book is just a book, (though bound in the finest leather,) whose contents remain sealed and inaccessible.

“And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.” Revelation 5:3. This is the problem with religion, as it attempts to open the book upon its own merits, and not the merits of the Lamb that was slain. Read the entire chapter, as it's fascinatingly wonderful how it begins with a sealed book, and ends with the adoration and worship of HIM alone, the LAMB, Revelation 5:12, who was found worthy to open that book! Revelation 5:14. It's only as the LORD enables us to look exclusively to Christ, as alone worthy, as alone accepted, as alone meriting the entirety of our salvation, and as the only ONE who can open the scriptures to our understanding, Luke 24:45, that we begin to see anything aright! Ezekiel 37:13. Prior to that we can compare ourselves to the blind man in Mark 8:24, who could see a dim outline of things, even men as trees walking, or perhaps in gospel terms, men who can perceive and embrace the outward form of Christianity, men who adhere to the teachings of Christ, as they see the big picture, they understand the story, they even follow the narrative, and even with everything which they have sacrificed for the cause of the Christian Religion, (Christianity just as another form of religion,) if their spiritual eyes have never been opened to behold the singular glory of that ONE that sits upon the throne, Revelation 4:2, will be confounded. I Peter 2:6.

'No man was found worthy to open this book!' In 2000 years, nothing has changed in regards to the seal on this book, which likewise applies to that which we call the Holy Bible. Interesting thought. You can walk into any bookstore, and pick up a copy of the Bible, and you can begin reading it, just like any other book, but so much not like any other book, you need special lenses to get beyond the mere words. If filtered thru the lens of religion/tradition everything you read will be distorted to the point where nothing will agree, Acts 15:15, (according to your creedal confession, whether erected in your idolatrous heart or elevated to infallibility in your 'church' Confession of Faith,) as the truth will be turned into fables, II Timothy 4:4, (fables as in perhaps mere moral truths,) rendering God's word void by your tradition, Mark 7:13, which could apply to any tradition, whether it was handed to you on a silver platter by your parents, or by some church program, for if it denies Christ in the glory of his person, in the perpetual, everlasting and saving efficacy of his atoning sacrifice, or by conditioning any part of salvation on man, and not on Christ alone, it can be seen as nothing less than an attempt to rob Christ of his glory, which in effect destroys the message of the Gospel.

So, regardless of one's intellectual status, academic achievements, denominational ties or religious affiliations; one's superior capability to retain the scriptures, to expound them in their original languages, and to even grasp the essential truths of Christianity, and even perhaps expound the same to such who stand amazed at your fluency, retention and the ability to communicate the same; regardless of one's soaring heights & expository depths to understand all mysteries, without the light of Christ to illuminate the scriptures, it profits us nothing! How dependent we are! “The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.” Psalm 25:14. MPJ

Listening to a recorded message this past week, the minister made this statement, which I've heard often throughout the years, and which in and of itself, is somewhat harmonious with the gospel, but in another sense, if taken essentially at face value, to me, lacks much clarification! Speaking about the difference between true and false Christianity, the speaker made the following comment, that 'true salvation is a personal relationship with the living God.'' This sounds absolutely wondrous, and I can hardly think of anything that could even compare to this? Interestingly though, in my early years as an Arminian 'soul winner,' this is the exact phrase that I would use, in telling others what made my form of 'Christianity' different from perhaps those that only viewed the Christian religion, as consisting of certain rules and regulations that one had to follow in order to merit eternal life; basically, just like all the other religions in this world! To counteract this notion, I would speak of my 'personal relationship' with Christ, and the fact that Christianity was not a religion, but a relationship! This was probably one of the most notable facets of my false faith back then, that I considered my relationship with God to be one of the pillars of my assurance, and that which sort of set me apart, and perhaps even above your typical churchgoer, especially these days!

But what are we even talking about when we think about a relationship with that God, that ONE GOD, out of whose incomprehensively holy and pure essence flows all life; the I AM, Absolute, Eternal and Unchangeable, who sustains and maintains all things in accordance with the good pleasure of his will? Whilst it's blessedly true that the religion of Jesus Christ is gloriously built upon relationship, that relationship is not our relationship with him, nor even his relationship with us, but rather upon the relationship that exists within the Godhead, Christ's oneness with the Father, and the Holy Spirit within the sacred parameters of that eternal and undivided ONENESS in a most sacredly blessed covenant union out of which flows all of our salvation! II Samuel 23:5.

In my estimation a lot of this personal relationship talk sort of diminishes Christ, as it attempts to bring God down to our level? Additionally, alongside and underneath much of this relationship chatter, this friendship speech, this 'holy' familiarity concept there lurks this false notion that a believer is somehow responsible to maintain this relationship with God? How can this be possible? The scriptures level us all, as they repeatedly state in no uncertain terms that 'every man at his best state is altogether vanity.' Psalm 39:5. In this light how can fellowship be based upon what we do or don't do; that fellowship either commences, is maintained, or can be lost upon such precarious ground? We can join with those who asked the Lord, 'what shall we do, that we might work the works of God?' John 6:28.

Thankfully it is not built upon such sinking sand, as that of our own initiative and ability to maintain some sort of a relationship! Fellowship with God the Father, in the Lord Jesus Christ, through the Holy Spirit of Truth can never be based upon something which depends upon us in any sense whatsoever, because if it did, we might as well just forget it, because all those taught in the school of Christ are being reminded continually as to what miserable failures they are in every area of their lives, but at the same time, reminded as to how faithful the LORD is despite their unfaithfulness! Having nothing more or nothing less to offer unto the LORD that might help maintain a communion, or make us any more or any less acceptable in his sight, because that ONE offering has already been presented before the Father, by which Christ has 'perfected forever them that are sanctified,” Hebrews 10:14, which is our only ground of access, (for through him we 'have access by one Spirit unto the Father,' Eph 2:18, even as we are accepted in the beloved ONE. Ephesians 1:6. God alone 'is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” I Corinthians 1:9. All the communion and fellowship that we have with God in Christ must flow from this Divine Source. It is a fellowship of light and life, I John 1:3, the light of gospel truth as communicated within the framework of that ONE who is the embodiment of that truth, revealing the life that is in Christ.

In relation to maintaining a life of communion in Christ, what about John 15, where the Lord Jesus says, 'ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you?' John 15:14. This is no condition in order to maintain a relationship with Christ, but rather a evidential fact depicting the life of those that are in Christ, as being identified with the words of Christ, by observing his commands from a governing principle of faith and love which binds them, unites them, and constrains them to abide in Christ's words, in his commandments, in his precepts which he writes upon their hearts, and which they follow after, by the energy of the Spirit, in the light of Christ crucified, as influenced by his grace, and constrained by his love.

There is an old hymn that goes something along these lines, 'though our cup seems filled with gall, there's something secret which sweetens all,'' and that secret is that 'our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.' I John 1:3. “The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.” Psalm 25:14. MPJ

DIVINE SEPERATION: Ever wonder what the Old Testament ceremonial laws were for, or why they were instituted? Rules regarding special diets, special attire, purity laws, marriage laws, the feasts and offerings, specific instructions for the priesthood and high priest, tithes, altars, and sacrifices, which were all until Christ! Galatians 3:24. Why did the Lord establish these laws, which laws were peculiar to the children of Israel at this time? One chief reason must have been to separate these people from the rest of the world. “For thou didst separate them from among all the people of the earth, to be thine inheritance, as thou spakest by the hand of Moses thy servant, when thou broughtest our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord GOD.” I Kings 8:53.

So, God himself that formed the earth, to be inhabited, Isaiah 45:18, and scattered the people abroad upon the face of all the earth, Genesis 11:9, chose this very small nation, this peculiar people, in order to broadcast his redemption glory, even unto the ends of the earth. Acts 13:47. As it is written, “for thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth,” Deuteronomy 14:2; and again from Psalm 147, the LORD hath not dealt so with any nation, and as for his judgments, they have not known them, praise ye the LORD, distinctly denoting that wall of separation, the Lord preserving unto Himself, Romans 11:4, a people within a people, a holy nation within a unholy nation, a remnant seed that shall serve him, Psalm 22:30, and only HIM, as in every generation. “Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.” Romans 11:5.

This separation principle runs throughout the epochs of time, from the original creation to the new creation, from Adam to Christ, from Christ down to his members, I Corinthians 6:15, who though dwelling in the midst of a world that has rejected HIM, are not of that world, John 17:16, dwelling alone, and therefore not reckoned amongst the nations. 'Lo, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations.' Numbers 23:9.

Why this holy separation? Simeon knew, as he awaited the coming of the Lord, ‘waiting for the consolation of Israel.’ Luke 2:25. Anna, a prophetess, in like manner anticipated this day, as she 'spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.” Luke 2:38. ‘The fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son,’ Gal.4:4, Shiloh had come, and all his elect were about to be gathered unto Him, Isaiah 53:6, (as complete reconciliation, perfect redemption was accomplished at the cross,) Genesis 49:10, the time was being fulfilled, as the kingdom of God was at hand, Mark 1:15, seventy weeks had run their course, the transgression was about to be finished, sins abolished, reconciliation for iniquity wrought, everlasting righteousness brought in, and all sealed up in a holy vision, Daniel 9:24, otherwise known as the scriptures of Truth, those life-giving words which Christ expounds, Luke 24:45, that seal which he has opened, that blood which was shed. ‘And they sung a new song, saying, thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof, for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.’ Revelation 5:9.

This is why this world was spoken into existence! This is why Adam (a figure of Christ) was created and Eve (a figure of the church) was formed for him. This is why Adam fell, {so to speak,} into sin and condemnation; this is what made Abel offer a better sacrifice; this moved Noah with fear; this made Abraham believe God, and Moses to keep the passover. This made Sarah laugh, Joshua to conquer, and Solomon to build. This is why Isaiah prophesied, Jeremiah wept, and David leaped for joy. And how much more could be said, for time would fail, Hebrews 11:32, and our minds would be overcome, as we even attempt to set forth the smallest measure of his immeasurable glory, and how everything in time, everything outside of time, all creation, all history, everything we know, and everything we don't know, 'all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers, all things were created by him, and for him.” Colossians 1:16.

So, I conclude, and understand perhaps a little bit more in regards to this Jewish separation, and the reason for the various Old Testament laws, regulations, dietary laws, etc., in that you had this very small remnant of Israelites, entirely surrounded by heathen and gentile idolatry, and the Lord was in essence separating them by these various practices, creating barriers between the clean and the unclean, between those that worship the one true God, and everybody else! They could not so easily interact with their neighbors because they dressed differently, ate different foods, observed different days, different diets etc., so many things that were unique to them, so that the Lord by these practices separated them unto himself. (Sadly the Jews, embraced all of this in an outward form, and then used these things to elevate themselves, and saw these laws and regulations as a reason to hate everyone that would not conform to them, which in essence is the entire world.) The promises that the Lord made to Israel in the Old Testament were made to believers and non-believers, as they chiefly related to the preservation of that Nation, being the child bearer of the Messiah, and the nursery bed for the gospel of God's grace. Romans 8:2. God's plan regarding Israel has been fulfilled! Interesting though, that they are still around, just as a scripture has stated! We do not hear of any Hittites, Amorites, Jebusites etc., but we have Israelites or do we?

“Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel; neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children; but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, they which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.” Romans 9:4-8. MPJ