he close of the year is a busy time with Thanksgiving and Christmas following so close together. This year the presidential elections also fill the minds of men with uncertainty as they try to determine what the future holds in store.

Six articles in this current issue are directed to these events. "God's Election" contrasts the complexity of the American electoral system with the simplicity of God's election of the Church of Christ. In that election the answer is not decided by a popular vote but by the judicial decision of God as he weighs each individual's character against the standards the Bible holds for this elect group.

The article entitled "What Shall 1 Render Unto the Lord?" pertains to the theme of the Thanksgiving season. In a practical manner the author details how the giving of thanks involves partaking of the "cup of salvation" and paying personal vows daily to the Lord in the presence of the Lord's saints.

"The Alphabet of Praise" is a verse-by-verse Bible study in the 145th Psalm showing the relationship between thanksgiving, praising God and blessing his name.

Three articles deal with the subject of Jesus' birth. "The Visit of the Magi" investigates the many puzzling questions that surround the visit of the wise men as they followed the star of Bethlehem. "The Name of Jesus" analyzes how Jesus' death brought salvation to three different groups of people: mankind in general, the Church and Israel.

A new regular feature, "Archaeology and the Bible," begins in this issue and will give a background to Biblical archaeology as well as probe recent discoveries in that field.

NEWS & VIEWS

elected letters which discuss the merits or demerits of specific articles will also be published. We welcome your correspondence concerning the material which appears in The Herald.

Capsule summaries of world events as they pertain to the Word of God will be included in this section.

We would appreciate feedback from our readers as to this new approach to The PBI Newsletter and your suggestions for improvement. This new format, and the material therein, will be under the direction of one of our editors, Leonard Griehs.

AN EXCITING YEAR

The year 1992 has been an exciting one from the standpoint of world events. The breakup of the Soviet Union continues apace, with ethnic rivalries threatening any hope of permanent stability in the area for the foreseeable future.

Reports of civil rights abuses in Bosnia and other areas of Yugoslavia have emphasized once again the inhumanity of man to man, and serve as a dramatic illustration of just how much we need God's kingdom. While we must remain ever alert not to become prophets instead of prophetic students, it certainly seems that the final Armageddon crash cannot be too far in the future.

Israel has continued to occupy center stage in the news media with both the change of government and the stalled peace talks. It was God who said "this land is mine." It was God who deeded it by covenant to his people. (Gen. 15) Yet the Palestinians clamor loudly that it is their territorial rights that have been abused. With a new government willing to listen to "land for peace" arguments, it becomes questionable whether Israel will give up some of her God-given land for short term gains. Whatever the immediate future holds, we can be sure God's covenants will be fulfilled and his chosen people will eventually enjoy all their "promised land."

Saddam Hussein continues to shadow box with his conquerors, and they seem helpless to meet his threats without embroiling the world in another "Desert Storm."

Condensed from a discourse

In the end of the Gospel age our challenges from the Adversary have been increasingly complex, whether doctrine itself is necessary in proving our faithfulness and whether our love for one another is sufficient, especially when we differ in the demonstration of our faith.

A living faith is vital. A living faith is acquiring as accurate a knowledge of the Truth of the Scriptures as possible, and demonstrating it by changing our characters.

God, through Paul, deals with this in the pastoral books of First and Second Timothy and Titus. Paul's charge to Timothy was to have a clear conscience, to study and feed on the Word of God.

o study the Bible with a clear conscience is to study it with the single purpose of knowing and doing God's will. If studied with other goals, the principle upon which we consecrated, to walk as Jesus walked is violated. Once we refresh at the well of Truth, we have an obligation to lift up our brethren.

Paul's second letter to Timothy, chapter 3, warns of perilous times that shall come in the last days, and we recognize these conditions today. Paul further warns us that these conditions would also be present in the Church.

ALL SCRIPTURE IS PROFITABLE

Wilson's Diaglott version of 2 Timothy 3:16 and 17 tells us that all Scripture that is inspired of God is important to be studied and applied. 

All Scripture, divinely inspired, is indeed profitable. Strong's #5624 defines this as helpful, serviceable, i.e. advantageous. Most translations use profitable or is useful as in the New English, Phillips, and Weymouth. Fenton uses was intended. Paraphrasing it, we say the Lord has supplied us with the Scriptures necessary to prove faithful and, in order to prove faithful, we need these Scriptures. Their teachings constitute the food whereby we are nourished.

Examining doctrine, Strong's #1319 we find that it means instruction. Most translations use teaching. Some add "the truth" or "the faith". True theological instruction is a doctrine or a teaching applying the principles of God.

"Reproof," taken from Strongs #1651, means to confute or admonish. The New English and Jerusalem Bibles use refuting error, Phillips says correcting error, while Fenton uses attestation. Wilson's Diaglott translates this word conviction. The Apostle uses the same Greek word in Heb. 11:1 when he describes faith "Now faith is a confident assurance of that for which we hope, a conviction (the same Greek word as 2 Tim. 3:16) of the reality of things which we do not see." (Weymouth)

We can see that all inspired Scripture is necessary for us to be convinced in our beliefs. We cannot use only those we favor, but are obliged to use and to harmonize the entire Word of God.

The third facet of the value of Scripture is correction, Strongs #1882, and means a straightening up again, i.e. (fig.) rectification or reformation. Some translations use the following: New English: reformation of matters; Phillips, resetting the direction of a man's life. Thus we see it carries the thought of correcting or self-correction.

"By natural tendency we would all be inclined to go wrong; therefore we need to give careful heed to the admonition to set our affection on things above. We are here . . . for the purpose of learning certain principles, certain lessons, . . . so that we may more than ever shape our lives in harmony, therewith, that we may be able to see all the things of life from God's viewpoint. God's Word dØ not go into every detail of life; but it lays down important principles that touch our lives at every point; and it is far us to see what we need to restrain, what we need to cultivate, etc. The Lord wishes us to be intelligent children."

Lastly, we have instruction in the KJV. Strongs interprets it (number 3809) as "tutorage, i.e., education or training, disciplinary correction."

The same Greek word is found in Heb. 12:7. In 2 Timothy 3:16, the NAS, RSV, and Phillips translate instruction as training. Fenton uses education and Wilson's Diaglott uses discipline., while the New English adds "discipline in right living." The Truth instructs us in holy living, demonstrating that all inspired Scripture is profitable for chastening from God.

This may be good from an academic standpoint, but how does it work in real life? Let's examine three basic points of scriptural doctrine and see if we can apply Paul's four principles to them.

THE RANSOM

Two fundamental passages are John 3:16 and Romans 5:17, 18. We see that God, through Jesus, gives all an opportunity for life, first the Church and then mankind.

We are taught, instructed, in the perfection of the divine character of God as we learn how his four attributes work in harmony, none overshadowing the other.

e learn that Justice cannot deviate, even to the extent that God cannot deny himself. When God says it, it is so. So, man had to die, the just penalty for his sins.

This teaching is beautiful in its simplicity with regard to the principles of justice, and yet the complexity of its results are felt upon every living being that has ever existed! Justice gives us a perfect foundation for our faith, solid, immovable. Yet love is interwoven, tender to the giving of his precious Son on our behalf.

Thus we are convinced that God is the same, yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Being thus convinced, we can place our very lives in voluntary consecration, knowing that Justice will not fail, Love will tenderly find a way, Wisdom will protect, and Power will execute.

Self-correction is achieved through the ransom in guiding us to imitate the attributes of God. We strive to apply the aspects of a divine character, learning-often through trial, error, and heartache to balance justice and love, wisdom, and our access to the power of God in our daily dealings with one another.

And, lastly, we are chastened by our failures and our roughness in the harmonizing of our fledgling godly attributes. We struggle to adhere to a justice that condemned mankind to death, yet to emulate a mercy and love that is totally selfless. We are disciplined when we realize the vastness of the chasm between our abilities and God's.

We find our characters altering as we thrill to the reality that all will have an opportunity for life. In reviewing the philosophy of the ransom and its sister doctrine, the sin-offering, we are moved to greater sacrifice in our efforts to copy Jesus.

As did Jesus, we begin with prayer, a deep and regular study of the Scriptures, and daily meditation on the ramifications and applications of the details of the plan of God.

GRACE

One doctrine that many are appreciating greatly of late is Grace. As we wander the glad streams that feed the river of life (Psalms 46:4), we tend to become very familiar with territory covered in our early Christian walk. It is good to re-examine the beauties of such a teaching because of the gladness it will bring.

Since we did and can do nothing to merit life, it is by grace that we live at all. It was grace that led our Father to create us in the first place. He had no obligation to create man; and then, once man sinned and was condemned, God was under even less obligation to continue the race. (Titus 2:11-14; Rom. 5:8)

Grace is to be clearly distinguished from justice and from obligation. If when reading the Scriptures these two thoughts are kept separate, it will enable us to more correctly interpret the Bible, so that we would not be entangled with a false notion. As we continue up and down the various streams of truth, we are impressed with the mercy and grace God has shown repeatedly and are convicted that grace is a part of the divine character. Who can doubt the gracious provision of the ram to replace Isaac, the overwhelming grace of the details in the types of Israel, that every jot and tittle is attended to so that the nation would be blessed "in basket and store." (Deut. 28:5) What amazing grace when God's Grand Jubilee frees captives and ushers in the restitution proclaimed by every prophet!

When we appreciate the grace of God, we notice our own failings and judgmentalism. We can be better aligned with the graciousness which God's Divine Plan of the Ages demonstrates 1n every particular. We discipline ourselves to beautify our behaviors and love others as we love ourselves.

In this, too, we are disciplined by the inspired Scriptures themselves. Our failings humiliate us. How can we have committed that sin again? What can we say to the Father that will make up to Him for our repeated failings? Grace demands nothing more than an acceptance of that which has been provided. Our humiliation becomes humility, providing yet more tools to use in our dealings with others, both now and as joint-mediators with our Bridegroom.

Sometimes Bible students are criticized for having too much "head knowledge" and not enough "heart." This is a serious indictment, for we know that while knowledge is a fruit of the spirit, knowledge without love is as sounding brass and tinkling cymbals. This is the value of the proper application of 2 Timothy 3:16, 17. We are required by Jehovah to utilize every Scripture inspired of God. Yet, Paul tells us here that there is heart value to be gained through the deepest studies.

GENTILE TIMES

Lastly, we wish to examine the Gentile Times. This doctrine can seem to be merely dry intellectualism. Yet, Paul tells us that it is profitable to us for doctrine, conviction, self-correction and chastening. (2 Tim. 3:16, 17) How?

According to many students of the Bible, the Times of the Gentiles is a period of 2520 years. The Gentile Kingdoms of this world have been permitted to have dominion over the nation of Israel and its capitol, Jerusalem. (Luke 21:24; Ezek. 21:25-27)

In studying this doctrine we find many dates, facts and figures. To some they might be very stimulating. However not all of the Lord's people have the mind to enjoy a subject of this kind. (Lev. 26:21, 24, 28)

We are instructed that God's plan for mankind is controlled. Lengths of time, though seemingly endless, have both beginnings and ends. We learn that God in his wisdom has given man every possible chance to improve himself and his condition that he might become thoroughly convicted of his total need of God to bring about a perfect society here on earth

Even the Adversary himself, who thought to work his own plans, is in fact working out God's plan. Faith's foundation has yet another stone of sureness.

How do we receive our correction from our understanding of the details of the doctrine of the Times of the Gentiles? We learn to apply patience in our long-term experiences. They, too, will have a beginning and an end. Satan's seeming victories in our lives will work to our good, and we can exercise confidence in the assurance that this condition is not permanent. We can lift up our heads and rejoice that our deliverance is nigh.

Yet we are disciplined and chastened when demanding our way, when we do not wait in faith for the sure outworkings of God. As we falter and are lovingly punished, we learn that we, like the rest of the human race, need God and God alone.

How do we feel about this doctrine?

We are here at the crossroads of two ages, when The Messiah has returned and is in the process of setting up the Kingdom. How can we think of it as an intellectual fact alone, something to feel smug about knowing but having little effect in the day-to-day workings of our lives? Surely we are driven to tell others, to comfort the weary, and to proclaim the incoming Kingdom!

MOTIVATION

Having information is one thing. But it has to motivate and burn within with a white-hot flame. As Jeremiah of old, we too must say:

"But His word was in mineheart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and 1 was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay! "-Jer. 20:9

Yes, we are in perilous times here in the last days. Men love themselves, and few love God. There are ambitious men, those who act as though the credit of the truth were due to them.

There are many who are proud of the knowledge which should be received only with humility and thankfulness. In the last days men shall be blasphemers; disobedient to parents (both literal and spiritual,) unthankful, unholy, . . . covenant breakers, false accusers, sexually immoral, ungentle, traitors, despisers of those that are good (those that cannot be trusted,) heady, high mindd, lovers of pleasure more than of God, having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof, false brethren who have erred in the truth and become teachers of false doctrines who will become the greatest peril in the last days.

How could we stand without the whole counsel of God? How could we hope to become perfected, thoroughly furnished unto all good works without the inspired and holy Scriptures many of us have known since we were children.

As the quadrennial political election process in the United States draws to a close we are constantly amazed at the complexity of the procedure. The political conventions of both parties spend hours haggling over rules for delegates and in the hammering out of a platform.

In marked contrast, Peter spells out God's election process in one simple verse. In this text he outlines the principle of this election. According to the foreknowledge of God the Father. He describes the method-sanctification of the spirit. Then he outlines the objectives-unto obedience and the sprinkling of the blood.

GOD'S FOREKNOWLEDGE

This principle of God's election is detailed in Rom. 8:29

"For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren."

According to Strong's Concordance (number 4267), the word used by Peter, prognosis, means "to give forethought." Like a wise businessman, God, in organizing his plan for human salvation, gave forethought to the type of personnel he would need to assist in this great sin-removal project.

Those far whom he thus foresaw a need-the Church-he did also predestinate. The word Paul uses here has the thought of a setting of boundaries or borders. In other words to complete our analogy to the businessman, he sets up a job description and qualifications for this class whom he knew he would need. He groups all of these qualifications into one-"to be conformed to the image of his Son."

This is the main principle of God's election. His Son was set aside to be the Redeemer. He, too, was foreknown-the Lamb slain from before the foundation of the world. (Rev. 13:8) Since his associates were to work so closely with God's Son, the Father planned that these must be in the same image-having the same character and goals.

Summarizing this principle: God foresaw a use for associates with his Son, Jesus, and he predetermined that those who would be elected to fill this job would be the ones who would be conformed to the image of his Son.

THE METHOD -- SANCTIFICATION

Peter then proceeds to describe the method by which God would achieve his desire of having a people conformed to the image of his Son--through sanctification of the spirit.

anctification has within it two thoughts--purification and the setting apart for a holy task. Both of these are integral to the method of God's selection of the Church as a Bride for his Son.

The purification concept is emphasized in 1 Thess. 4:3-4 --

"For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every on eof you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour."

Here sanctification is set in contrast with fornication, though that sin is only one of the foes of the sanctifying process. Any deviation from the principles of righteousness is an influence working against sanctification.

This method of sanctification is further spelled out in 2 Thessalonians 2:13

"But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth "

Paul adds another concept to the sanctifying process-belief in the truth. This thought is enforced by the words of Jesus himself in his prayer with the disciples before Peter then proceeds to describe entering Gethsemane.

"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." John 17:17

Without a careful study of God's word we cannot know the Son of God. Without knowing the Son of God we cannot understand the image we are to copy.

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God. "Romans 12:2

We "renew our minds" by replacing our thoughts with God's thoughts. We gain God's thoughts by studying God's Word. This process, Paul says, results in our transformation - our metamorphoses and our ability to determine what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. "-2 Tim. 2:15

FIRST OBJECTIVE-OBEDIENCE

"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and" bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. "2 Cor. 10:5

It is this type of instant obedience that Peter talks of in our theme text as being one of the objects of our election. It was obedience that God required of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. It was obedience that God required of the Jewish nation under the Law Covenant. It is obedience that he requires now of the Church class.

The election of the Church is for the purpose of choosing joint-heirs with Christ himself, co-regents to share his throne. Eventually this class will be the instructors of the world in the requirements of righteousness. But first they must learn what it is to obey.

The story is told of the ship captain who piloted a great ocean liner with hundreds of people under him. He returned in his later years to visit his aged father. One night he went out with some of his old friends for a convivial evening with old buddies. At 10 p.m. he started saying his good-byes before departing for home. "But the evening is young," his friends protested. "I know," the captain replied, "but I promised my father I would be home by 11." "But you are a grown man," they continued their protest. "One of the first lessons I learned," the captain responded, "was that he is not fit to command who has not first learned to obey."

This is precisely the lesson God would have his church to learn. Their fitness to take a commanding place in his Kingdom is dependent upon their learning obedience now. The same was true for their Lord and Master. 

"Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him. "-Heb. 5:8, 9 

Having learned obedience, Jesus could expect it from his followers. His obedience qualified him to teach obedience to others, much as a student teacher must learn his subject before he can teach it. 

This, then, is the deeper objective of our election. The Church must not only learn obedience, but how to pass along the lessons of obedience it has learned to the world of mankind in the Kingdom for which we pray, "Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." 

SECOND OBJECTIVE--SPRINKLING OF THE BLOOD

 The final objective of the Christian's election is unto the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ. They have no part in providing this blood, but a vital part in its sprinkling. This blood of sprinkling is connected with the sacrifice of Abel in Hebrews 12:24:

 "And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. "

 The sacrifice that Abel offered (Gen. 4:4) was the first example of animal sacrifice in the Old Testament. It showed the recognition that an acceptable sacrifice would involve the death of an animal - pointing forward to Jesus, whose death effects the redemption of the entire human race.

 The blood of sprinkling speaks better things than that of Abel in that it is the blood of the antitype the blood of Jesus Christ. Provided solely by the Son of God, it is an object of the Christian's election to have a part in its application on behalf of the entire world of mankind, resulting in their resurrection from the grave into the glories of Christ's Kingdom.

 
SUMMARY

 What a glorious election is the election of God! How beautifully and simply Peter sums up its various components!

 ITS PRINCIPLE: God's foreknowledge and pre-planning for salvation. His conceiving of the need for a church and his setting forth the conditions for their selection forms the basis for the entire concept of an elect class being selected at the present time for a future work with their Lord in the future.

 ITS METHOD: The achieving of the goal of Christlikeness by a process of sanctification-setting apart this elect class by purifying them with both the knowledge and practice of holy living.

 ITS OBJECTIVES: First, the learning of complete obedience to an all-wise God; and, second, the teaching of that obedience in the Kingdom. The second objective is that they will have a share in the resurrecting of the human race by participating with Jesus in the sprinkling of the blood.

 GAIN REQUIRES PAIN

"Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. "-1 Pet. 1:9

Notice that the second word your is in italics in the Bible, which means that it is unsupported by a Greek counterpart. This verse should really read:

 "Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of souls."

This is the goal of the Christian faith, to have a role to play in the salvation of the souls of others. This is the grand outcome of the election, truly a prize worth running for.

"Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.-2 Pet. 1:10

 "Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. "-1 Peter 1:2

As the quadrennial political election process in the United States draws to a close we are constantly amazed at the complexity of the procedure. The political conventions of both parties spend hours haggling over rules for delegates and in the hammering out of a platform.

In marked contrast, Peter spells out God's election process in one simple verse. In this text he outlines the principle of this election. According to the foreknowledge of God the Father. He describes the method-sanctification of the spirit. Then he outlines the objectives-unto obedience and the sprinkling of the blood.

GOD'S FOREKNOWLEDGE

This principle of God's election is detailed in Rom. 8:29

"For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren."

According to Strong's Concordance (number 4267), the word used by Peter, prognosis, means "to give forethought." Like a wise businessman, God, in organizing his plan for human salvation, gave forethought to the type of personnel he would need to assist in this great sin-removal project.

Those far whom he thus foresaw a need-the Church-he did also predestinate. The word Paul uses here has the thought of a setting of boundaries or borders. In other words to complete our analogy to the businessman, he sets up a job description and qualifications for this class whom he knew he would need. He groups all of these qualifications into one-"to be conformed to the image of his Son."

This is the main principle of God's election. His Son was set aside to be the Redeemer. He, too, was foreknown-the Lamb slain from before the foundation of the world. (Rev. 13:8) Since his associates were to work so closely with God's Son, the Father planned that these must be in the same image-having the same character and goals.

Summarizing this principle: God foresaw a use for associates with his Son, Jesus, and he predetermined that those who would be elected to fill this job would be the ones who would be conformed to the image of his Son.

THE METHOD -- SANCTIFICATION

Peter then proceeds to describe the method by which God would achieve his desire of having a people conformed to the image of his Son--through sanctification of the spirit.

anctification has within it two thoughts--purification and the setting apart for a holy task. Both of these are integral to the method of God's selection of the Church as a Bride for his Son.

The purification concept is emphasized in 1 Thess. 4:3-4 --

"For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every on eof you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour."

Here sanctification is set in contrast with fornication, though that sin is only one of the foes of the sanctifying process. Any deviation from the principles of righteousness is an influence working against sanctification.

This method of sanctification is further spelled out in 2 Thessalonians 2:13

"But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth "

Paul adds another concept to the sanctifying process-belief in the truth. This thought is enforced by the words of Jesus himself in his prayer with the disciples before Peter then proceeds to describe entering Gethsemane.

"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." John 17:17

Without a careful study of God's word we cannot know the Son of God. Without knowing the Son of God we cannot understand the image we are to copy.

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God. "Romans 12:2

We "renew our minds" by replacing our thoughts with God's thoughts. We gain God's thoughts by studying God's Word. This process, Paul says, results in our transformation - our metamorphoses and our ability to determine what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. "-2 Tim. 2:15

FIRST OBJECTIVE-OBEDIENCE

"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and" bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. "2 Cor. 10:5

It is this type of instant obedience that Peter talks of in our theme text as being one of the objects of our election. It was obedience that God required of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. It was obedience that God required of the Jewish nation under the Law Covenant. It is obedience that he requires now of the Church class.

The election of the Church is for the purpose of choosing joint-heirs with Christ himself, co-regents to share his throne. Eventually this class will be the instructors of the world in the requirements of righteousness. But first they must learn what it is to obey.

The story is told of the ship captain who piloted a great ocean liner with hundreds of people under him. He returned in his later years to visit his aged father. One night he went out with some of his old friends for a convivial evening with old buddies. At 10 p.m. he started saying his good-byes before departing for home. "But the evening is young," his friends protested. "I know," the captain replied, "but I promised my father I would be home by 11." "But you are a grown man," they continued their protest. "One of the first lessons I learned," the captain responded, "was that he is not fit to command who has not first learned to obey."

This is precisely the lesson God would have his church to learn. Their fitness to take a commanding place in his Kingdom is dependent upon their learning obedience now. The same was true for their Lord and Master. 

"Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him. "-Heb. 5:8, 9 

Having learned obedience, Jesus could expect it from his followers. His obedience qualified him to teach obedience to others, much as a student teacher must learn his subject before he can teach it. 

This, then, is the deeper objective of our election. The Church must not only learn obedience, but how to pass along the lessons of obedience it has learned to the world of mankind in the Kingdom for which we pray, "Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."
 

SECOND OBJECTIVE--SPRINKLING OF THE BLOOD

 The final objective of the Christian's election is unto the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ. They have no part in providing this blood, but a vital part in its sprinkling. This blood of sprinkling is connected with the sacrifice of Abel in Hebrews 12:24:

 "And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. "

 The sacrifice that Abel offered (Gen. 4:4) was the first example of animal sacrifice in the Old Testament. It showed the recognition that an acceptable sacrifice would involve the death of an animal - pointing forward to Jesus, whose death effects the redemption of the entire human race.

 The blood of sprinkling speaks better things than that of Abel in that it is the blood of the antitype the blood of Jesus Christ. Provided solely by the Son of God, it is an object of the Christian's election to have a part in its application on behalf of the entire world of mankind, resulting in their resurrection from the grave into the glories of Christ's Kingdom.

 
SUMMARY

 What a glorious election is the election of God! How beautifully and simply Peter sums up its various components! 

ITS PRINCIPLE: God's foreknowledge and pre-planning for salvation. His conceiving of the need for a church and his setting forth the conditions for their selection forms the basis for the entire concept of an elect class being selected at the present time for a future work with their Lord in the future. 

ITS METHOD: The achieving of the goal of Christlikeness by a process of sanctification-setting apart this elect class by purifying them with both the knowledge and practice of holy living. 

ITS OBJECTIVES: First, the learning of complete obedience to an all-wise God; and, second, the teaching of that obedience in the Kingdom. The second objective is that they will have a share in the resurrecting of the human race by participating with Jesus in the sprinkling of the blood.

 
GAIN REQUIRES PAIN

Notice that the second word your is in italics in the Bible, which means that it is unsupported by a Greek counterpart. This verse should really read:

"Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of souls."

 This is the goal of the Christian faith, to have a role to play in the salvation of the souls of others. This is the grand outcome of the election, truly a prize worth running for.

 "Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.-2 Pet. 1:10
  

 Condensed from a discourse by: Tim Thomassen

 Many people take their blessings for granted. Luke records the account of Jesus and ten lepers (Luke 17:11-19). The lepers were victims of a terrible and ultimately fatal disease. ALL cried for mercy. ALL were cleansed. But only one, a Samaritan, returned to give thanks.

 Does such gross ingratitude puzzle us? How can anyone be so thankless? If we closely examine our own lives, we may not rate very highly, either.

 Shakespeare wrote:

It is written in Psalm 103:2: "Bless the LORD, O my soul, arid forget not all his benefits." The word bless here carries the thought of giving thanks and praise. The Hebrew word includes the idea of kneeling and blessing God, as an act of adoration. We should bless, as on bended knee, Jehovah, who out of his own divine resources can supply all of our needs.

 UNDER OR ABOVE

 A man asked his Christian friend how he was getting along. With a drawn, expressionless face the other answered, "Oh, fairly well, under the circumstances."

The first man replied, "I am sorry that you are UNDER the circumstances. The Lord wants us to live ABOVE all our circumstances, where he himself can delight our hearts and meet our every need."

The eleventh chapter of Hebrews abounds with examples of how God's people in past times overcame and lived ABOVE conditions of all kinds.

Our conditions may not correspond exactly to those of God's people in past ages. Yet we often find ourselves confronted with situations that test our faith and reveal the true climate of our heart.

The present circumstances of life, whatever they may be and however hard they may press against us, are the best shaped tool in the Father's hand to chisel us for eternity. We should trust him and thank him and not push away the instrument, lest we lose its effect.

 IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS

 The Apostle Paul wrote in I Thessalonians 5:18: "In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." Not only is such a disposition a good and healthy one, but, more importantly, it is God's will for us.

Alexander Whyte, a famous Scottish preacher, always began his public prayers with an expression of gratitude. One cold and stormy day, when his congregation wondered how he could be grateful under such conditions, he began by saying, "O Lord, we thank thee that the weather is not always like this."

An appreciative heart brightens a dreary day and shortens the longest night. It not only makes our life, and the lives of those around us, so much more enjoyable but it is more pleasing to the Lard.

A person whose heart is full of praise and thanksgiving is willing to accept whatever the Lord has given him or wherever he has seen best to place him. He turns his liabilities into assets, making them work for him instead of against him.

 Such a person can say with the Apostle Paul:

 "I have learned in whatever condition I am to be contented. I know both what it is to be abased, and I know what it is to abound: in every place and in all conditions, I have been disciplined . . . I am strong to endure all things with Him who strengthens me. " (Philippians 4:11-13, Diaglott)

THE OAK AND THE PANSY

 A well-known fable tells about the king's garden where the trees and flowers began to complain.

 The oak was sad because it did not bear flowers. The rose bush was feeling low because it did not bear fruit. The vine was downcast because it had to cling to the wall and could not project any shadow.

 "I am not any use in the world," said the oak. "I might just as well die; I do not yield any fruit," said the rose bush. "What good can I do?" added the vine.

 Then the king happened to see a little pansy holding up its happy face.

The king asked, "What makes you glad, when all the rest are so sad?"

 "Well, I thought," said the pansy, "that you must have wanted me here, because you planted me. So, I made up my mind that I would try to be the best little pansy that I could be."

A JOYFUL NOISE

 The Psalmist rejoices in Psalm 100:

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

Know ye that the LORD is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture  

We have a Maker, and He cares for us. He has his hand upon us and he knows the steps that we take. We should trust him and thank him for all that he has done for us 

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and in his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. 

This text applies to the priestly class. Their thankfulness to the Lord for his mercies and blessings should lead them to lay down their lives cheerfully in His service. 

Their hearts should be filled with praise; having entered the courts of the Lard to be seated with Christ in heavenly conditions, the heavenly light and food should enable them to rejoice exceedingly even in tribulation. 

Because they have entered into this fellowship with the Lord in his sufferings, with his spirit of appreciation, they are joyful in the house of their pilgrimage. When the pilgrimage of the present life is ended, they shall pass beyond the vail; there they will find fulness of joy as they enter into the joys of their Lord in the full and complete sense. 

"The Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. " 

That is a promise we can rely on!
 

WHAT SHALL I RENDER?

 How can I offer thanks to the Lord? What does our Heavenly Father desire of me?

 Psalm 116:12 answers us: "What shall 1 render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?" What can I give in return for the benevolent treatment that I have received from Him?

 The question is a proper one. What have we to render that we have not received of him? NOTHING!

The Apostle Paul tells us that "We are not our own-we have been bought with a price. Therefore we should glorify God in our body." (See 1 Cor. 6:19, 20)

 Additionally, Paul states (1 Cor. 8:6): "But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by Him."

 This is illustrated in the building of the Lord's temple. In I Chronicles 29:5, we read: "The gold for things of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and for all manner of work to be made by the hands of the artificers. And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the Lord."

 In verse 14, David states: "All things come of thee, and of Throe own have we given thee."

 Consecration means to fill our hand from God's hand, and then offer it to him again. We have nothing of our own to offer, only what our Heavenly Father gives us.

THE CUP OF SALVATION

 Note verse 13 of this 116th Psalm: "1 will take the cup of salvation." The words 1 will take seem to be a strange response to the question: What shall 1 render? Yet, this is what the Lard desires of us.

 He wants us to show our appreciation by accepting his salvation--the gift of his love purchased for us at great cost, the death of his only begotten son. Therefore, the truly thankful will obey his voice and take the cup of salvation through faith in Christ.

 This cup of salvation has an additional significance. As grapes must be crushed and broken before the juice is produced, so must we suffer and die before we are made complete and produce our final product.

 The Apostle Paul wrote: "If we endure, we shall also reign together." (2 Timothy 2:12, ROTHERHAM) If we partake of the difficulties and bruisings incurred for the sake of Christ, then we shall also share in the glory to come.

 This is what Jesus referred to when he told his disciples at the last supper that he would not drink thereafter of the fruit of the vine until the day that he would drink it anew with them in his Father's kingdom.

 So let us take our cup and lift it up to the Lord. We shall render unto him our reasonable service-a full consecration of heart and life.

 This is how the Lord wants us to express our thanks, and render the payment due him. It is a sacrifice of thanksgiving. (Psalm 116:17)

 We read in Psalm 116:13: "I. . . will call upon the name of the LORD." The Hebrew word for call includes the thought of call out to. The writer is saying: "I will call out to the Lord for help and for blessing."

 He knows he can trust in and rely upon the Lord. He had discovered what the Apostle James later said: "Draw nigh unto God, and he will draw nigh unto you. " James 4:8

 He who redeemed us at a great price is both able and willing to perfect in us his great salvation. We should take him at his word and step out on his promises.

 Only our heavenly Father and his truth, represented by the golden vessels of the temple, can fill us. We can be content with none other.

 PAYING OUR VOWS--NOW

 Looking further into this Psalm, we find the writer saying that he will pay his vows "unto the Lord mow, in the presence of all His people."

He speaks of solemn promises made to God to perform or abstain from performing a certain thing. Vows were entirely voluntary but once made were regarded as compulsory.

 We can understand why the Psalmist should pledge his vows to the Lord. They were expressions of gratitude and devotion.

 So it is with us. To render our dedicated lives and talents gladly and voluntarily is but a reasonable return for all of God's goodness. To pay our vows implies reciprocation for all that the Lord has done for us. But, once we make a vow, God expects us to fulfill it.

 Ecclesiastes 5:4, 5 states: "When you vow a vow to God, do not delay in paying it.. Pay what you vow. It is better that you do not vow, than that you vow and not pay. "

 Proverbs 20:25 tells us: "It is a snare to man that he should rashly cry Holy! And after making vows, to reflect." (Rotherham) One should think before he promises.

 The Psalmist said that he would pay his vows. When? Now!! Likewise, the Apostle Paul wrote, concerning the Church, that it should not hesitate or delay in paying its vows.

 His words were: "Behold Now is the day of salvation." (2 Cor. 6:2) This is the only time that the Church can drink the cup of suffering and death that Jesus offered. This is the only acceptable day of so great a salvation.

 
IN THE PRESENCE OF HIS PEOPLE

Not only is the time significant, but the place also. We are to perform our vows "in the presence of all his people, In the courts of the LORD'S house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem." (Psalm. 116:18, 19)

 Is this not one way of rendering thanks to God by fellowshipping with our brethren and doing good unto them, by serving and sacrificing for them?

 "Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another. And all the more as you see the day drawing near. "Hebrews 10:24,25

 The word exhorting means to call near, invite, invoke and comfort. The Greek word is derived from another which signifies near, from beside, in the vicinity of, in the sight of. We are to assist one another by being together physically as well as in spirit.

 A church-Boer told his minister that he would not be present for the next Sunday's services but he would "be there in spirit." Strangely, his body went fishing at the lake.

Of course, such a situation happens only among non-Bible Students-it is not true of us! Right? Or wrong?

 Do we make up excuses for not attending a meeting or a convention? Perhaps the real reason is that we do not like the topic of the study or the leader in charge? Or it may be we do not care for the particular slate of speakers or the type of meetings offered. There may be other things that we prefer to do instead.

 1 John 3:16 tells us that "we understand the meaning of love from this, that he laid down his own life on our behalf, and we ought to lay down our lives on behalf of the brethren."

A CUP OF SACRIFICE

 The cup of salvation of which we partake is full of sacrifice and giving up of ourselves. The Apostle Paul reminds us to do good unto all men, but especially the household of faith.

 Hebrews 13:15, 16 summarizes: "By him [Jesus], therefore, let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name. "

Note Rotherham's translation of verse 16: "But of the doing good and of fellowship, be not forgetful; for with such sacrifices as these is God well pleased. "

 We cannot do good to others except at a cost to ourselves; sacrifice is the price we pay for the expression of our love. We cannot attain to the highest degree of love without tasting of the cup of which Jesus drank-without submitting to the baptism wherewith he was baptized.

 
PRECIOUS DEATHS

 Note Psalm 116:15: "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints."

 Death is the cup of salvation of which we drink. So Jesus asked the two brothers: "Are ye able to drink of the cup that 1 shall drink of?" Jesus knew that his cup was one of suffering and death. Yet he drank it willingly.

 So if we desire to serve the Lord we must pay our vows voluntarily unto him. The Apostle Paul asked the Church at Rome:

 "Are you ignorant, that as many as have been immersed into Christ, have been immersed into his death? We have therefore been entombed with him by the immersion into that death; . . . " (Romans 6:3, 4, WILSON'S DIAGLOTT)

 A thankful heart will see sacrifice as but a small price compared to God's love and provisions. Immersion into Christ's death involves a burial of one's own will, including everything he has.

 The death of the Lord's people is a precious thing in his estimation and sight. This thought is beautifully expressed in James 5:7 (Rotherham):

 "Lo, the husbandman awaiteth the precious fruit of the earth, Having patience for it until it receive the early and the latter rain "

 Our heavenly Father is the great husbandman (John 15:1) who is waiting for the harvest of a very special crop-the Church. This crop is in the process of development. It is being planted in the likeness of Christ's death now. Later, it will share in the likeness of His resurrection.

 "But ye [the Church] are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a people for a peculiar treasure. "-1 Peter 2: 9 (Rotherham)

 Here, Peter tells us that the Church is a select group. It has been picked by God. The Psalmist says that "blessed is the man whom the Lord chooses" (65:4). He has the divine approval.

 We add our voices to the Psalmist's: "O, Lord, truly 1 am thy servant. 1 am thy servant, and son of throe handmaid. Thou hast loosed my bonds . . . . Praise ye the Lord. " (Psalms 116:16, 19)

 I choose to be thy servant. I am thy servant and thine alone. Let others serve whatever master they will-false gods, dogmas of men, worldly pleasures, the acceptance of the world, a prestigious career, or anything else. As for me, I will call upon the name of the Lord. Amen!

 A SPIRITUAL BOUNTY

 We have so much for which to be thankful. We, like the early American colonists, can praise the Lord for shelter, for clothing, and for a bountiful crop. But our shelter is so much superior to theirs; we have the refuge of our heavenly Father. We have his care, his protection, his love, and his promises. These far surpass any earthly advantages.

We also have clothing, too; of a kind and substance unlike any other. We are clothed with the righteousness of Christ. This covers our imperfections and makes us presentable before God.

This is not all. If we are faithful, we will receive clothing of gold when glorified with the divine nature. Psalm 45:13, speaking of the bride. of Christ, states:

 "The King's daughter is all glorious within. Her clothing is of wrought gold [cloth in which gold is woven]. She shall be brought to the King in raiment of needlework. "

 Those who seek it may have the privilege of becoming part of the most choice crop ever to be harvested. They have been given the opportunity of becoming members of the heavenly body of Christ, the first fruits. If we who seek faithfully drink our cup and pay our vows, we will share in the harvesting of all the willing and obedient during the Kingdom age.

 Help us, Lord, to render our due payment of thanks and not forget our many, many benefits