From: Ben Kelley
Subject: Praise His Name for b-u-t!!! part 4

(If you haven't read part 1 of this series, you need to read at least the first 2 paragraphs of it before proceeding with this message, so you will understand its premise.)

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known  (1 Corinthians 13:12)  The wording here is old King James English, here is a more precise, in our vernacular, translation: Now we see only a blurred reflection in a mirror, but then we will see face to face. Now what I know is incomplete, but then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known.  (International Standard Version)  God blesses us here with the knowledge that, although we don't clearly and fully understand or grasp everything in the Bible, particularly prophecies, one day we will.  I may not have a god-like mind now, b-u-t God will give me one as we enter eternity with Him.  I may not "see" Him clearly now, b-u-t I will then.  Praise His Name for b-u-t!!!

For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.  (1 Corinthians 14:33)  This world is filled with disorder (confusion) that leads to much stress in our lives.  One boss says "do it this way", while another says "do it that way."  One Bible "expert" says: "clearly the passage we are considering teaches we are to do this", while another says: "no, it is obvious these verses teach we are to do that."  Since they are both, supposedly, equally "expert", who do you listen to, for you really want to follow God's Word?  One part of a group tries to lead the rest in one direction while another digs in and pulls the other way, causing much dissension in the group, maybe even causing them to break fellowship.  All of these cause stress (confusion, disorder, dissension) in your spiritual and emotional life, which sometimes results in a gradual turning away from a close walk with God, for after all, "If God wants me to understand it, why doesn't HE make it more clear?"   We can rest assured, based on this b-u-t, that God is not the One causing the stress and (confusion, disorder, dissension) all around us, for HE is a God of peaceful order.  Following and listening to Him through His Word and prayer will keep you in that peace.  Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength. (Isaiah 26:3-4)   In this world of stressful confusion, disorder, and dissension, we can say: Praise His Name for b-u-t!!!

Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,  (1 Corinthians 15:51)  The letter to the Church at Corinth was addressed specifically to those in it who were sanctified (set apart) in Jesus (chapter 1:1-2), therefore, those in that Church who were saved (Christians, belonging to Christ).  Paul had been writing in this passage about the difference between the flesh, that which has its life based here on earth, and the spirit, that which has its life based in Heaven.  Since all living appear to be facing and entering death, the Church must have been feeling there was no difference between the saved and unsaved, so Paul had been describing some of the differences.  Then he came to the subject of "sleep", a common euphemism for death at that time.  Paul gave them an astounding revelation from God (a mystery opened up); he said not all of us Christians will die, but we will all be changed at the last trumpet call of God.  He went on to state that then, in less time than it takes for an eye to blink, all in Christ will be raised up and given an "incorruptible", ever living, new body to match our eternally living spirit.  That means that death's sting and the grave's victory has been taken away.  We will live forever with God, along with all our brothers and sisters in Jesus.  Praise His Name for b-u-t!!!

The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  (1 Corinthians 15:56-57)  This passage continues the thoughts contained in the paragraph you just finished.  We know we all are sinful creatures, and death is the horrible stinger  on sin's underbelly; the muscle that gives power to that stinger is the law.  In another message, I told you scholars enumerate 613 separate commands, both positive (thou shalt do) and negative (thou shalt not do) in the Old Testament alone.  How could anyone begin to believe they could stand uncondemned in the face of all the evidence that law stacks against us?  No one can, but here we are reminded that God, in Jesus, has satisfied all the penalty the law could require of us, including that mighty sting of death.  We have the victory, and in Him, we have eternal life.  Praise His Name for b-u-t!!!

Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;  (2 Corinthians 3:5)  Paul had been writing that the believers in the church at Corinth were testimonies (letters) to the saving grace of God, produced through his (Paul's, and the others with him) service; but, he added, it was not through their own great abilities or minds (sufficiencies unto them selves), because, they testified, any ability or power demonstrated through them was from God.  The same fact is true when we witness to others; the outcome doesn't depend on us having great sufficiency (inherent ability), because God is the power, and HE has more than enough to get the job done!  What a release that can be to your witness.  You can be free to "cut loose and let it rip!", telling anyone and everyone of God's great salvation.  It does not require you to be something you don't believe you are.  It depends on God, and HE is able!  Praise His Name for b-u-t!!! 

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;  (2 Corinthians 4:17)  Paul said, in the beginning of this chapter, that he did not get discouraged (and neither should we) in the ministry because he (and we) had been given the ministry through the marvelous mercy of God.  HE then listed some problem types (persecution, pressure, etc.) encountered by Christians as they serve God.  He then reminded the Corinthian believers that Christian's afflictions, which seem so hard and heavy, are: really light, only last for a moment (as compared to our eternity in Heaven), and produce eternal rewards and treasures.  Praise His Name for b-u-t!!!

This concludes part 4 of this series.

Ben