Welcome to the GMAF Newsletter! We pray it will encourage you in your Martial Arts and Outreach for Christ.
"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free ... If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."
Jesus Christ
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."
The Apostle Paul
"And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die."
Genesis 2:16
I have been a freeborn citizen of the leading free nation on Earth for more than 50 years, but I have been "free indeed" for only 30 years. How can that be?
We have much for which to be grateful in the United States. Our ancestors fought and died for their freedom. They bought our freedom from tyranny with their blood. We have so many blessings in America today because of what they sacrificed in 1776,1915,1945 and so many other years between. Our parents and grandparents and great-great-great-great grandparents had visions and dreams of freedom. They not only dreamed of freedom, they did something about it. They stood up to the evil that placed people and countries in chains, prisons and graves and won freedom for hundreds of millions of human beings, including you and me. But even their great sacrifice was not enough to truly free the world. It took another sacrifice to do that.
"Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you." John 8:31-37
The Jews who followed Jesus around in the 1st Century A.D. were a lot like Americans today. They depended on their nationality and heritage to protect them. "We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man." Sound familiar? "I'm an American; I've never been in bondage to anyone." What's even worse are the people who tell us: "Of course I'm a Christian; I'm an American." We've learned very little in the past two thousand years. We are still depending on nationality and heritage to save us.
Paul spent much time explaining this to Jews and Gentiles. People then, like people now, get it wrong. They hold up nationality, heritage, and obedience to rules, regulations and laws as their physical and spiritual salvation. Paul told them a story about two covenants; "the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem, which now is, and is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all...Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. So then, brethren we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free." (Galatians 4:24-31)
The birthplace of our flesh is of little importance in spiritual things. Unsaved people are born every day in every corner of the world. They are Jews and Gentiles. They are slaves and free. They are Africans and Europeans, South American and North American, Chinese and Russian, Korean and Japanese, English and Irish. They are every man and every woman, every boy and every girl.
"There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God...there is none that doeth good, no, not one...For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God...Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin...And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Where in time past ye walked according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others." (Romans 3 and Ephesians 2)
No human soul is born into freedom. We are all born slaves of sin. What is our hope?
"But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference...Being justified freely by his grace thorugh the redemption that is in Christ Jesus...But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 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." (Romans 3 and Ephesians 2)
The Truth will make us free, and if Jesus makes us free we are free indeed! We become "free" when we believe God's Word about Jesus and about our sin and receive Christ as our Savior. The spiritual chains that hold us come off the "instant" we receive Christ. No prison can keep us. No grave can cover us. We are FREE INDEED! We are alive and on fire with His Love and Grace. Our lives are changed forever and ever.
If we live in a "free" country, like the United States, we should thank God every day for His blessings on us. However, living in a "free" country does not make us "free indeed." Only Christ can do that.
How should we then live? "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." (Galatians 5:1) We have a great responsibility that goes along with God's Gift of Grace. We should protect the freedom for which Christ died. We should never turn to look at bondage again. We should never leave our present path to return to our past. It would not be God's will that led us there.
"Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you." (Galatians 5:2-8)
"Brethren, ye have been called unto liberty!"
I was liberated from sin and death into the Wonderful Light of the Lord Jesus Christ when He forgave me and saved me 30 years ago. He wants us to experience the full Liberty of His Grace. That's what it means to be "free indeed."
"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and teh opening of the prison to them that are bound."
"For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death."
Our Heavenly Father has disregarded the world's value system and has made eternal life a free gift, available to all men because of His great love for us. Whoever truly believes that jesus Christ is the son of God, that he died for their sins and that He was buried and rose again the third day, has eternal life. "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son." (1 John 5:11) One man said, "God put the cookies on the bottom shelf so everyone can reach them."
"Testifying both to the Jews and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." (Acts 20:21)
We must repent for the way we have rebelled against God's plan for our lives; and we must have faith, which is spiritual commitment to our unseen Savior. God will provide you with the faith of repentance. "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His god pleasure." (Philippians 2:13)
WHAT IS REPENTANCE?
"For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death."
Repentance is "godly sorrow," with a change of mind. this is not self-pity, nor is it the kind of sorrow you have when you want to manipulate someone into feeling sorry for you. Repentance is simple, sincere sorrow in your heart toward God. It comes as a response to His efforts to show us He loves us, although we have SINNED.
When we see that God's love was so intense and committed to us that He sent His only Son to actually die in our place, we can also see that our love for Him has not been love at all, but something self-centered and unfaithful. Repentance is a change in our minds. We must turn from believing we are sufficient to run our own lives. We turn to believing it is only Jesus, conqueror of sin and death at His resurrection, who is the power of salvation for us. "THE LORD IS NOT SLACK CONCERNING HIS PROMISE, AS SOME COUNT SLACKNESS, BUT IS LONGSUFFERING TO USWARD, NOT WILLING THAT ANY SHOULD PERISH, BUT THAT ALL SHOULD COME TO REPENTANCE." 2 Peter 3:9
(Next month: WHAT IS FAITH? )
You'll find every GMAF newsletter at http://www.gmaf.org/gmaf_newsletters.html . These newsletters are a gold mine of information about Christianity and the Martial Arts.
Many GMAF members have told us their favorite part of the monthly newsletter is Fellowship News. It's wonderful to see Christian martial artists praying for each other across the United States and around the world. No distance is too far for Christians. The instant we pray, God hears. We can impact the lives of our brothers and sisters through our prayers. God answers prayer. It is pleasing to Him. Thank you for caring so much for each other!
Wendy Williamson asked us to ask for help with devotions for a new book for Christians in martial arts, "Martial Arts, The Christian Way". She also wants to list anyone who would like to be part of her Christian MA directory.
I still need devotions on the following topics:
Plan of Salvation
What it means to love God with our: (Mark 12:30)
-mind
-soul
-srength
-heart
-body
Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18)
-belt of truth
-shield of faith
-shoes of peace
-sword of spirit
-breastplate of righteousness
-helmet of salvation
Great Commission
Of course the devotions should be tied in with the martial arts.
Thanks,
Wendy
Here is a note from our friend Johnny Russell.
Greetings-
I would like to invite you to attend "Meeting of the Masters 2001" the upcoming Gospel Martial Arts Union National Conference to be held in Indianapolis, Indiana, September 21 - 22.
This conference is provided to you by the Gospel Martial Arts Union at NO COST to any black belt instructor wishing to attend, and only $25 for mudansha/kyu rank students.
We understand the financial
limitations of ministry-based martial arts programs. Our mission
and goal is to provide professional training and wisdom from the
minds of today's top martial arts masters; Instruction
that is engulfed with the Love of Christ, and carried out in the
spirit of Christian fellowship.
Complete information including an online registration form is available here: http://php.iupui.edu/~jrrussel/meetingmasters.htm
Thank you for your considerations. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Peace,
Johnny Russell
Executive Director, Gospel Martial Arts Union
GMAF appreciates
your prayers for our ministry in the Columbus, Georgia area. We
were invited to share Christ and martial arts with more than 80
boys at Camp Joy in Harris County in June. Camp Joy is a ministry
of Valley Rescue Mission. We appreciate their interest and the
warm welcome we received at the camp.
(I know you will join us in praying for each of these Christian martial artists and their ministries.)
We welcome Sensei Kelly Keys of the Ryu-Kyu Christian Karate-Do Federation. Sensei Keys is a 5th Dan in Shuri and Tomari Te and lives in Carroll, Ohio. The Federation's motto is:
"As a student of Ryu-Kyu Karate, I will find my strength in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I will use my art for seeking peace and strength. The only way I'll use my art on another is in the need of self-preservation or the preservation of another being's life, I know that, "no matter how I excel in the Martial Arts or in my scholastic endeavors, nothing is more important than my behavior or humanity as observed in daily life. I will always purify my mind and always be mentally and physically sound. Truth, honesty, faith, love, humility, wisdom and courage are all virtues I will hold close within my heart. I can do all things through Christ who strenghtens me, for this is where Ryu-Kyu gets its spirit and strength."
We welcome Dean
McClary from Penang (Island), Malaysia. He is a secondary
science teacher at Dalat
School, an American-education K-12 Christian institution serving
both the local expatriate population as well as the children of
Christian missionaries serving throughout South East Asia. Dean
is in charge of an ITF Taekwon-do club the school offers to students,
staff, and any one who is interested and is part of the Dalat
School community.
I know you'll join me in welcoming Sensei Keys and Dean McClary to Grace Martial Arts Fellowship.
Please let us know if you have moved, changed jobs, received a belt promotion, started studying a new martial art, started a Christian martial arts ministry, etc. We want to be sure your listing in the GMAF Internet Directory is all you want it to be.
We appreciate your Fellowship in the Gospel of the Grace of God. We are praying for you and your opportunities to serve Christ. Please let us know about ways GMAF can help you in your service. If you know of anyone who might be interested in receiving this monthly newsletter, please ask them to e-mail Mark McGee. We'll be glad to put them on our monthly mailing list.
You are invited to read previous GMAF Newsletters.
If you would like to join Grace Martial Arts Fellowship ©, contact Mark McGee.
Grace Martial Arts Fellowship is a service of GraceLife Ministries.
Taking God's Grace to the World!