by J. F. Strombeck 11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for [...]
J.F. Strombeck The prophet of old said, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” This is a principle that governs all human life. The Church has been given the greatest vision ever given to any of God’s creatures. This vision is “the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and . . . our gathering together unto him.” To be occupied by this vision, to wait for its realization is to observe one of the three cardinal points of the [...]
by J. F. Strombeck I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation [calling] wherewith ye are called” (Eph. 4:1).1 This appeal is for an earthly life in full harmony with the exalted position to which the believer has been called. The introductory word “therefore” points back to certain things presented in the preceding chapters which are the basis for the appeal. In those chapters is found the greatest revelation of the present position [...]
By J.F. Strombeck Thus far the discussion of the teaching by grace has been concerned with the present;1 with denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, and living soberly, righteously and godly in the present world. Grace also teaches to look to the future—to look for “that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” The emphasis here is not so much on His coming as on the fact that the believer should be looking [...]
By J.F. Strombeck For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Eph. 2:8-9). This passage deals with the past tense of salvation. It is salvation from the guilt, penalty and condemnation of sin. It has already been fully accomplished. It is not a process that is being carried on to be perfected at a later time. In its present tense, salvation [...]