Peter admonished his brethren to "gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ", (I Pet. 1:13). The word of God gives considerable instruction concerning the marshalling of the mind so as to be sober and straight in our thinking. The man of God is to be "diligent" to show himself "approved unto God", (2 Tim. 2:15). Avoiding conformity to the world, the people of God are to be "transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable and perfect will of God", (Rom. 12:2).
    The secret of success in this matter is set forth by Paul: "For

    Yet, such rejoicing is in an INCOMPLETE redemption - a redemption that is not yet perfected in our ACTUAL EXPERIENCE!
    When God created man, He made him in His own likeness (but a little lower than Himself), placed him in the Garden and gave him dominion over all the earth. It was as A RULER that man bore the image of His Maker - representing Him on the earth. All things were put "under his feet" - his authority and control. He was endowed with the capacity to master and subdue all things - to the benefit and enjoyment of the race.
    Through his rebellion, disobedience and fall (his SIN), man largely FORFEITED his dominion. Characterized by the disobedience of unbelief, he could not act as the

representative of his Maker. The forfeited dominion was intercepted, or usurped, by the archenemy of God and man - whose voice man had obeyed, rather than that of his Creator.
    Because of man's sin, and for man's sake, the earth was cursed. It would be necessary for him to earn his bread by the sweat of his brow. Thorns and thistles would hamper his cultivation of the ground - his mastery over the forfeited dominion.
    Left to himself, man would soon have perished from the earth. But, God does not ABANDON His HOLY PURPOSE! He promises a Second Adam Who will REDEEM all that was lost in the Fall of the first - not only restoring man's lost dominion, but also lifting the curse, and restoring the earth to its original beauty, fruitfulness and perfection.
    Though the DOMINION is to be given to the Messianic Son of Man, it will be shared by FAITHFUL men who, according to His pleasure,

and the Father's will, are destined to rule as co-heirs with Him in the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world. It is a spurious, presumptuous and twisted interpretation of the Scriptures that. would attempt to TRANSFER this dominion and kingdom TO HEAVEN - violating God's revealed plan (as set forth in Eden), His covenants, promises and the progressive revelation set forth in His prophetic Word.
    Any attempt to SPIRITUALIZE this promised dominion - rejecting the concept of its realization in the VERY REALM wherein it was forfeited through sin - is to accept an IMPERFECT REDEMPTION and to imply that God either CHANGED HIS MIND, or was UNABLE TO EFFECT HIS ETERNAL purpose! Either of which is near unto BLASPHEMY!
    Saints now IN HEAVEN will rule ON THE EARTH, (Rev. 5:10) when "the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom UNDER THE WHOLE HEAVEN, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom", (Dan. 7:27).
    Let us, therefore, in the EXPECTANCY OF FAITH, patiently await the "parousia" (body-presence) of our Lord Jesus Christ, "who shall judge the quick and the dead at his APPEARING and KINGDOM", (2 Tim. 4:1).
    Raised in glory, (I Cor. 15:43); conformed to the image of God's dear son, (Rom. 8:29), and beyond the POSSIBILITY of sinning; the saints of the ages will enter upon the DOMINION purposed for them from the foundation of the world. E.G.

A DISCIPLINED MIND ... CONTINUED

though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 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. 10:3-5). Isaiah declared: "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee", (Isa. 26:3). A continuous battle is being waged, between the forces of good and evil, for the control of our minds. Each of us is given the ability (by God's grace) to determine the outcome of this battle. Which side will we choose?
    Saintly minds will be so disciplined as to think on a high and spiritual level.
    1) On things that are TRUE, (Gk. "alethes"). This word suggests that which is: "open, manifest or unconcealed" - forever ruling out the employment of wicked imaginations. It is used of truthful PERSONS, (Matt. 22:16; Rom. 3:4; Jn. 8:26). It is used of THINGS - conforming to reality, (Jn. 8:13-14, 17; 21:24 Acts 12:9; I Jn. 2:8). There is also the idea of "that which is genuine, sincere and simple". One must learn to be true to himself, to his neighbor and to his God. It would surely be worthwhile to consider a few passages which deal with this desirable quality, (Prov. 12:19; Zech. 8:16; Hal. 2:5-6; Eph. 4:25; 6:14).

    2) On things that are HONEST, (Gk. "semnos") - honorable. This suggests that which is worthy of respect. It describes what is "becoming" - rooted in gravity, moral earnestness and dignified seriousness. It is used of PERSONS both as: "Gravity", (I Tim. 3:8, 11; Tit. 2:2); and as "Honesty", (I Tim. 2:2).
    3) On things that are JUST, (Gk. "dikaios") - in accord with that which is right: a) Either by divine standards, (I Pet. 2:23); or b) by human standards, (Lk. 23:41; I Cor. 15:34; I Thes. 2:10).
    4) On things that are PURE, (Gk. "hagnos") - free from pollution and defilement. Paul used the word in various ways: "Pure", (I Tim. 5:22); "Clear", (2 Cor. 7:11); and "Chaste", (2 Cor. 11:2). James declared that the wisdom which comes from above "is first PURE", (3:17). There are some things capable of contaminating the minds of men - and through it the WHOLE MAN. But, when one's mind is occupied with "pureness", it has a tendency to purify THE MAN, (I Jn. 3:3).
    5) On things that are OF GOOD REPORT, (Gk. "eupheomos") - well-sounding, attractive, winning and gracious. E.G.


    In just over two months (November 23-24), brethren from across the nation will be coming to Rockford, Illinois for a time of fellowship together in the Word. Will YOU be among them? Make your plans NOW! and WELCOME! E.G.

    That God's word is utterly worthy of trust may be illustrated by His promise to Abraham of an innumerable progeny - a promise that was reiterated on various occasions. In Genesis 22:15-18 it took on the form of an OATH. Abraham had just demonstrated, in his willingness to sacrifice the son of promise (at God's command), that his trust was FULLY in God. To this God responded in the words of Genesis 22:16. (comp. Heb. 11:17-19).
    It was after he had "patiently endured" such trials as were designed to test and strengthen his faith that Abraham "obtained the promise", (comp. Deut. 8:3; Rom. 4:1-12). Specifically, after 25 years of waiting, Abraham and Sarah OBTAINED the son that God had prom-

ised, (Gen. 12:4; 21:5). But, as Stephen declared in Acts 7:2-7, Abraham did not live to see the fulfillment of ALL THAT GOD HAD PROMISED HIM; he DID enter into the promised blessings BY FAITH. Much more awaits him after his coming RESURRECTION! (Heb. 11:13, 19).
    God wants His people (heirs of the promise) to know the unchangeable nature of his faithful and loving counsel. He has endeavored, by two immutable things, to provide us with a "strong consolation" - that is, with the kind of encouragement we need to face the trials of life. This we have in His WORD and His OATH. Such "strong consolation" is for those who have "fled for REFUGE" to lay hold upon the hope that is set before us.
    A scriptural church, as the temple and body of Christ, provides a REFUGE today - a place of safety, rest and refreshment for those who loyally yield themselves to Him IN FAITH - the place where God dwells in the midst of His people.


    It is our privilege to tell others of the REFUGE they may find in Jesus - a refuge from sin, condemnation and eternal judgment.

    "FOREVER, 0 LORD, THY WORD IS SETTLED IN HEAVEN!"