Page 8 - 2017 JFBNews - July

Ephraim is a

cake not

turned.

-by Alistair Begg

“Ephraim mixes himself with the peoples; congratulatory pharisaic performance of those religious activities
Ephraim is a cake not turned.” -Hosea 7:8 that suit their mood. The assumed appearance of superior sanctity
frequently accompanies a total absence of all vital godliness, and
A cake not turned is uncooked on one side; and so Ephraim the saint in public is a devil in private. He deals in flour by day and
was, in many respects, untouched by divine grace: Though there in soot by night. The cake that is burned on one side is dough on
the other.
was partial obedience, there was too much rebellion left. My soul, I
This is true of me, Lord Jesus; turn me! Turn my unsanctified
charge you to see whether this is true of you. Are you thorough in
nature to the fire of Your love, and let it feel the sacred glow, and
the things of God? Has grace gone to the very center of your being
so that its divine operation is felt in all your powers, your actions, let my burnt side cool a little while I learn my own weakness and
your words, and your thoughts? To be sanctified, spirit, soul, and lack of heat when I am removed from Your heavenly flame. Let me
body, should be your aim and prayer; and although sanctification not be a double-minded man, but one who is entirely under the
might not be complete in you, still it must be at work in you. There powerful influence of reigning grace. I know only too well that if I
must not be the appearance of holiness in one place and reigning am left like a cake unturned, and am not on both sides the subject
sin in another; otherwise you will also be a cake not turned. of Your grace, I will be consumed forever in everlasting burnings.
A cake not turned is soon burnt on the side nearest the fire,
and although no man can have too much religion, there are some
who seem burnt black with bigoted zeal for that part of truth that
they overemphasize; others are charred to a cinder with a self-

BECOMING A JFBELIEVERS COVENANT MEMBER...

Our purpose for having a written covenant serves as both
an instructional document as well as a covenantal agreement to
clearly outline the biblical foundation of what we are covenanting
with each other. The document itself provides an accessible
explanation of the scriptural concept of church membership, in
hopes that those making up the body at JFB would grow in the
grace and truth of Jesus Christ and seek to take a more serious
role and commitment within our church family.
JFBelievers is a church; an intentional Christian community. If you feel that God is leading you to become a part of this
That means we are more than a mere social organization. The local body, here are some practical steps to take:
Bible uses the metaphor of a body to describe the church and, in • If you aren’t attending Sunday and Midweek services, begin
doing so, it presents a beautiful illustration of how we’re each attending regularly.
created to serve different functions within the church in unity. We • If you aren't involved in a JFB fellowship ministry, get involved.
need everyone to function together to be a healthy body, and all
• Complete the School of Believers curriculum and classes.
of us as separate parts find purpose together in Jesus who is "The
head of the body, the church" (Col 1:18). Put plainly, the members • If you are not serving, ask how you can participate.
are the church! (Eph 2:19-22). • Involve yourself in the financial support of the church, it's
JFB Covenant Membership was birthed out of the call of endeavors, and it's missions.
scripture upon the church, and from our love for the church body
• Be baptized as a testimony before God and the church
and its individual members whom we hope will experience the fellowship.
fullness of joy which is found within the unified participation of
8 the body before the presence of the Lord. See A Fellowship Ministry Leader if you have questions.