Having The Right Perspective

April 2014 – Grace & Truth Magazine

Having The Right Perspective

We frequently hear “Christian” television or radio preachers teaching that by giving to God you will be blessed with material riches. On Facebook I have noticed people sharing posts about spiritual ideas and promising that if you “share this post, you will be blessed” – here again is the idea of some gain in this world. Even in the mail that comes to Grace & Truth we see that thought presented to us from time to time. Selfishness and greed are often the basis of these invitations.

Well-meaning but misguided believers sometimes pass along a similar message because they mix the blessing and curses related to Israel together with those of the Church. Certainly we do find many principles for our learning when we study the Scriptures directly related to Israel, whether in the Old or New Testament. The problem, however, comes when we fail to realize that Israel is an earthly people with earthly blessings and characteristics while the Church, consisting of only true believers based on faith in Christ, is a heavenly people with heavenly blessings and characteristics.

The writers of this month’s Feature articles attempt to clarify these misconceptions, sometimes pointing to verses where the Lord Himself makes the distinction between Israel and the Church. If you think this is a subject that doesn’t really affect how you live your life, read these articles and learn how having the right perspective can influence your walk in this world and your testimony for Christ. And, shouldn’t we all be seeking to live to the glory of God? May the Lord use the articles in this magazine to encourage your heart as we wait for the moment when we will be taken from this scene to be with Him in heaven!

Recently I looked through the very first edition of Grace & Truth Magazine, published in September 1933. Inside the front cover was this request by the editor, E. C. Hadley: “We would earnestly invite you to pray that the Lord’s blessing may rest upon this little paper as it goes forth month by month and that we may be guided of Him as to what is printed.” Even today, we continue to appreciate such prayers of the Lord’s own. Thank you.

By Paul Alberts