Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Some Thoughts About Melchizedek

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver
"Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek" (Ps 110:4; Heb 5:6; 7:17,21)

The significance of the question, "Who is Melchizedek?" comes from the fact that Jesus is made a high priest after his order. Most of what we learn of Melchizedek is found in Hebrews chapters 5-7 and he is referenced to teach us concerning Jesus Christ, our High Priest. Melchizedek is not some obscure character in the Bible, although he seldom finds his way into the average preaching agenda. However, the Scriptures actually exhort us to "consider how great this man was" (Heb 7:4). That is our aim here - to consider how great Melchizedek was and in so doing, better understand Jesus, who was made "after the similitude of Melchisedec" (Heb 7:15).

The Genesis Account. All of the record of Melchizedek is found in only 3 verses in the book of Genesis. Abraham had just defeated Chedorlaomer, king of Elam in order to rescue his nephew Lot who had been taken captive along with many others in Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham "brought back all the goods, and also brought again his [nephew] Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people" (Gen 14:16). Kings from other nations came to visit Abraham to congratulate him and offer him gifts. Among them was Melchizedek.

And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine, and he was the priest of the most high God. And he blessed him, and said, "Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth, and blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand." And he gave him tithes of all. (Genesis 14:18-20)

This is the account...all of it. And it may seem somewhat insignificant at first glance but this encounter, and Melchizedek himself, becomes a focal point in the epistle to the Hebrews, in doctrine of Christ our High Priest, and in the necessity of a new covenant.

The Psalmist Speaks. In reference to Melchizedek, the psalmist records a statement made by God to His Son, Jesus. It is recorded in the one hundred tenth psalm.

The Lord said unto my Lord, "Sit Thou at My right hand, until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool. The Lord shall send the rod of Thy strength out of Zion: rule Thou in the midst of Thine enemies. Thy people shall be willing in the day of Thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: Thou hast the dew of Thy youth." The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, "Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek." The Lord at Thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of His wrath. He shall judge among the heathen, He shall fill the places with the dead bodies; He shall wound the heads over many countries. He shall drink of the brook in the way; therefore shall He lift up the head. (Psalm 110)

The Father, here, appoints the Son as "a priest for ever". This is a promise made with an oath (Heb 7:21). God had determined that His Son would be like Melchizedek, "a priest of the most high God" on the basis of an appointment - "the word of the oath" (Heb 7:28) rather than the way priests were appointed under the law. Under the law priests were made priests by being born into the tribe of Levi and the high priests were descendents from Aaron. But Jesus was from the tribe of Judah, not Levi, yet was still a high priest. This is similar to Melchizedek. Thus, "after the similitude of Melchizedek there [arose] another high priest, who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. For He testifieth, 'Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek'" (Heb 7:15-17).

The Apostles' Doctrine. While the book of Genesis records the actual account of Abraham's interaction with Melchizedek, and the psalms recorded the decree, it was the apostle's who really opened up the significance of this man. The book of Hebrews speaks of Melchizedek in chapters 5 and 7 because the book of Hebrews is declaring to us that "we have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched and not man" (Heb 8:1-2). Melchizedek is mentioned because he is a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ. If it weren't for Jesus being our high priest, we would have never heard of Melchizedek.

Here are some of the things the apostles' doctrine has declared to us concerning Melchizedek:
  • He blessed Abraham. "And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better" (Heb 7:7). This shows us that Melchizedek was better than Abraham.
  • Abraham gave him tithes. The law teaches us that it was the Levites, the priesthood, that received tithes from their brethren. But Melchizedek was not from Levi, in fact, he was before Levi. This shows us that he was a high priest, not according to the Law, but according to his call from God. The implications of this is that the Levites, who would descend from Abraham, actually paid tithes to another high priest. (Heb 7:4-10)
  • He was a priest of a different order. This shows the impotence of the Levitical priesthood. It could not make men perfect. Men needed another high priest, one after the order of Melchizedek. (Heb 7:11)
  • A change in priesthood means a change in law. When the priesthood changed, in the ordination of the Levites as priests rather than the firstborn males, it marked the beginning of what we call the old covenant. For, the Levitical priesthood was part of the Law of Moses. But when a priest from another order, of Melchizedek and not Levi or Aaron, arose - that is, Jesus Christ - this too marked a change in the law. When Jesus entered into the more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, the new covenant began. (Heb 7:11-28) 
  • He was the king of righteousness. The name "Melchizedek" means "king of righteousness". "Melchi", meaning "king" and "zedek" meaning "righteousness. (Heb 7:2)
  • He was the king of peace. "Salem" means "peace". Melchizedek was the king of Salem and therefore, the "king of peace". (Heb 7:2)
  • He had no genealogy. Melchizedek was "without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life" (Heb 7:3). The absence of the record of this man's life, either beginning or ending, shows us that he was "made like unto the Son of God". Not that he was eternal but the lack of his record was a type of Jesus.

Was Melchizedek Jesus? Based upon the last three bullet points, many have concluded that Melchizedek was Jesus in the flesh before Jesus was born. He was an apparition. Being that the Scripture does not expressly say that he was Jesus or that he wasn't Jesus, I will give my opinion: I think Melchizedek was a type of Jesus, but not Jesus.

Reasoning based upon the translation of his name is not sufficient. Melchizedek, being a type, was a king of peace and a king of righteousness. But Jesus would be THE king of peace and THE king of righteousness. His name alone does not make him Jesus any more than Adonaizedek's name makes him Jesus. ("Adoni" means "Lord" and again, "Zedek" means "righteousness". This man too, was the king of Jerusalem, the "city of peace").

Reasoning based upon the absence of his genealogy also gives us a good type of Jesus but we shouldn't conclude that Melchizedek WAS Jesus from this, as shown above. He was made LIKE UNTO the son of God in this was but was not THE SON OF GOD. Jesus would actually be eternal and live for ever and be qualified to be "a priest for ever" who is able to save for ever those who draw near to God through Him for He "ever liveth to make intercession for them" (Heb 7:25).

It was "in the fulness of the time" that God "sent forth His Son" and this was when Jesus of Nazareth was born. He was "made of a woman" and "made under the law" (Gal 4:4). Melchizedek would not fit this description. There are many things very significant about "the word" being "made flesh" and dwelling among us (Jn 1:14). For when this occurred the Scripture could be fulfilled that His name would be called "Immanuel" meaning "God with us". Can this be said of Melchizedek?

Melchizedek was a type, or foreshadow, of Jesus. And a great one at that. This is the declaration of Hebrews 5 and 7. For Jesus, like Melchizedek, was a king and a priest. But Jesus was of a much higher order just as the substance is always better than the type. For in Jesus the Scripture is fulfilled that says,

Behold the Man whose name is THE BRANCH; and He shall grow up out of His place, and He shall build the temple of the Lord; even He shall build the temple of the Lord, and He shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon His throne; and He shall be a priest upon His throne, and the counsel of peace shall be between them both. (Zechariah 6:12-13)

Behold, Jesus the Christ. He is a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek.

Jesus Came to do the Father's Will

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver

"I have come...to do Thy will, O God" (Heb 10:7)

When Jesus became flesh and dwelt among us (Jn 1:14) He did so with a purpose - to do the will of His Father. He would not be preoccupied by seeking worldly prominence or prestige. He would not be deterred from His purpose in order to attend to the many needs of men. He had bigger things to do. Our problems, frankly, are not big enough for Him. One account reveals a man who approached Jesus with his family and financial problems and Jesus replied, "Man, who made Me a judge or a divider over you?" (Lk 12:14). Men don't need Jesus for such matters and He didn't stoop to address them, for they were not His work. He came to do the will of God, not man. 

He came to do the things which no one else could do. He came to "put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself" (Heb 9:26). He came to "give His life a ransom for many" (Mt 20:28). He came to bring justification, "peace" and "access...to grace" (Rom 5:1-2). He came to reconcile the world to God (2 Cor 5:19). He came to "give eternal life" to whomever God gave to Him (Jn 17:2). These things are far greater than clothing, money, family and the like. These are unseen things, spiritual things, and as such, eternal things. 

Jesus came to accomplish the will of God. He did the will of God when He was on earth saying, "it is finished" and "I have finished the work Thou hast given Me to do" (Jn 17:4). And, He is still accomplishing that will today, from the right hand of the Majesty on high. He is now "bringing many sons to glory" (Heb 2:10). He is now "bringing us to God" (1 Pet 3:18). He is now mediating the New Covenant and making intercession for the saints. He is a Good Shepherd leading the people of God beside still waters and into green pastures. 

While many preach "a Jesus" today that primarily solves all of our problems and wants us healthy, wealthy and wise - one who is focused on fulfilling our desires...it is the real Jesus that accomplished the desires of God. The real Jesus pleases the One who sent Him. The real Jesus does the will of the Father and in so doing, He brings salvation to man - for that is the will of God, that none should perish but all come to repentance. That is the Jesus, I am talking about! For if in the end, the will of God is not done, it really doesn't matter what else happens. But then, of course, Jesus did the will of God and satisfied His Father (Isa 53:10). Now that God is pleased, we can enjoy lives of blessing and favor from Him. 

Friday, December 21, 2012

A Reminder of God's Power and Rule

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver

He alone is God. He dwells in unapproachable light. He is "able to save forever" those who draw near to Him through Christ. He is able to "make a way" in your wilderness. He is able to present you faultless and unblameable with exceeding joy before His throne. This is who God is. Do you know Him?

He alone is able to save and destroy. He alone is the Creator and Sustainer of all things. He speaks, and things happen. The hearts of kings are in His hand and He can turn them which ever way He pleases. He is able to make all things work together for your good. He is able to make dead things live. He is able to make the blind see. He is able to make light shine out of darkness. He determines something and no one can annul it. No purpose of His can be thwarted. He is a very present help in the time of trouble. He is our refuge and strength. This is who God is. Do you know Him?

He can cause you to walk in His statutes. He can give you the desires of your heart. He can make the mountains into plains, the crooked places straight, and a sea of water as dry ground. When your hungry, He can provide manna from heaven. When you are thirsty, He can provide water from a rock. When you are stuck in miry clay, He can lift you up and set your feet upon a rock. When you are weak and weary, He can cause you to mount up with wings as eagles. This is who God is. Do you know Him?

He is a shelter in the storm. He is a covert from the wind. He is a sun in the cold and a shield in the heat. He is mighty. He is righteous. He is compassionate and gracious. His lovingkindness abounds from generation to generation. He is faithful and He has made many precious and magnificent promises. He is a consuming fire. He is a loving Father. He is light. He is love. He is the judge. And He is the One with whom we have to do. This is who God is. Do you know Him? 

Thursday, December 20, 2012

One Thing

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver
We live in a culture that moves fast. Multi-tasking is now a chief skill. But there is still the need for keeping the main things the main things. While the world will seek to distract you and gain your attention, be determined to set your mind on "one thing" - that is, the main thing.

DAVID - "One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple" (Ps 27:4). David had a large family and was king of Israel. No doubt, there were many things that were requiring his attention and yet, he still sought after just "one thing". It was his goal, his aim, to dwell in the presence of God forever. He did not want simply have an affection for the temple, he had an affection for God. He wanted to behold the Lord's beauty. Moses had the same desire when he beseeched the Lord, "show me Your glory". With this "one thing" mentality David found great comfort and blessing and we are not surprised to learn that he was, indeed, "a man after mine own heart" according to God.

PAUL - "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Php 3:13-14). The apostle Paul was a busy man and had a past that could have haunted him. He referred to himself as the "chiefest of sinners" in one place. But he would not be distracted by what happened before. He described his life as consisting of "one thing" - that is, forgetting what lies behind him and pressing on to what lies ahead, even Christ Jesus his Lord. He would not be moved from this quest and it governed his every moment. In an effort to finish his course and complete his mission he would spend every moment striving to make it to heaven and bring as many people with him as possible. He had "one thing" on his mind.

JESUS - "And Jesus answered and said unto her, 'Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: but [only] one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her'" (Lk 10:41-42). While Martha was concerned about "many things" it was Mary who was honored for her "one thing" mentality. Martha was busy with "religious activity" (if you will) serving the Lord, preparing a meal, tending to the house. But it was Mary that was drawing near to Jesus, Himself. God is always the point of true religious activity. Where God is pushed to the background, you are only left with distractions (even if they are done in the name of Jesus). Jesus does have preeminence in these days - first place in all things. He is the "one thing" that is needful. When He is speaking, the good thing to do is to be still and hear. 

Do not be led astray today. Only one thing is necessary. When our lives come to a close we will give an account of what we did with this life. You want to be able to say, "I sought after one thing. I sought after the Lord my God". And take heart, for those who diligently seek Him, will find Him. 

Thursday, December 6, 2012

The Help of His Countenance

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver
"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God; for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance." (Psalm 42:5)

David, here, exhorts his own soul to hope in God and to rise up from its downcast state. He is able to do this because he is fully cognizant of the help available to him. No believer has to remain downcast. The potency of the provision of God will lift up the soul that is down cast; and that, simply by the help of His countenance.

God's favorable look upon one of His children is able to lift them out of the miry clay and set their feet upon a rock. It is sort of like the outraying of His glory warms the soul. Many a soul has been exalted by the help of His countenance, that soul could be you today.

Countenance. A person's countenance is the outward expression of their thoughts toward something or someone. This may be displayed by facial expression or body language - some sort of visible expression or appearance. For example, when Cain's offering was not accepted by God he "was very wroth, and his countenance fell" (Gen 4:5). His being wroth was displayed by his fallen countenance. Likewise when Laban found out that his cattle and daughters were now Jacob's his countenance demonstrated that he was no longer in favor of Jacob. "And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and behold, it was not toward him as before" (Gen 31:2). By this Jacob knew it was time to leave Laban's company.

David, here, spoke of the help of God's countenance. He was declaring that if God would look favorably upon him, if God's goodness and provision would be toward him, than he would indeed be delivered from all of his enemies. The vaccilating soul can find stability and strength, even quietness and peace, when God's countenance is lifted up toward him.

A Countenance Like None Other. If God is for you, there is none who can harm you. But if the Lord is against you, there is none to deliver you. His countenance is so potent and powerful that it can save or destroy. Simply by His appearance men are either upheld or torn down.While those who have offended Him will "perish at the rebuke of [His] countenance" (Ps 80:16), those who have found mercy shall be saved "by the light of [His] countenance" (Ps 44:3).

It is God's preference to save men by the light of His countenance rather than slaying them by His rebuke. More of His glory is seen in salvation than in condemnation. God, therefore, is seeking those whom He might look favorably upon but, as in the case of Israel, He seldom finds them.

"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro througout the whole earth, to shew Himself strong inthe behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him. Herein thou hast done foolishly; therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars." (2 Chronicles 16:9)
God is still this way. He is still looking for those whom He might look favorably upon. Let it be you! The help of His countenance with uphold and strengthen you.

An Appropriate Request. If you find yourself downcast, if your knees are feeble and your hands hang down, ask God to shine His countenance upon you. You will not be sorry. He is able to show Himself strong in your behalf. God has revealed the necessity of such a request when He commanded Moses to instruct Aaron and his sons to bless the people in view of this. He literally put the following words into their mouths:
"The Lord bless thee, and keep thee; the Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee; the Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace." (Numbers 6:24-26)
Those still in the body and still inhabiting a present evil world are faced with much tribulation. They have to contend with enemies within and enemies without. Yet God is pleased to cause men to overcome such distresses because He is glorified in it. Let the saints of God declare with great faith, "There be many that say, 'Who will shew us any good?' Lord, lift Thou up the light of Thy countenance upon us" (Ps 4:6). Salvation is realized when God responds favorably to such a request.

Favor and Help. Dwelling in the light of God's countenance is a most blessed state. It is a place of provision, peace and joy. Thus it is written, "Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound; they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of Thy countenance" (Ps 89:15). Make it your aim to be one of those people and you too shall praise Him for the help of His countenance.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Jesus: The Sun of Righteousness

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver
"But unto you that fear My name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in His wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall" (Malachi 4:2)

The day of salvation is a day in which the saved are strong, willing and able. They "grow up" and with holy vigor run the race set before them as calves from the stall. Those who were once dead are quickened and given an abundance of life. Those who were once in darkness are given the light of life and walk in it. Those who once had gone astray are granted repentance and thus, turn from their wicked ways to serve the living God. They are those were once as a valley of dry bones having been slain by sin, yet in the day of salvation they rise up as an exceedingly great army. In all of this, the redeemed of the Lord are a display to all men and all principalities and powers in heavenly places that the Sun of Righteousness has risen with healing in His wings.

Jesus Governs the Day. As "the Sun" we can see that Jesus has been given dominion. On the fourth day God created the "lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night" (Gen 1:14). The sun is "the greater light" that was given to "rule the day" (Gen 1:16). The sun was created as a depiction of Jesus. Jesus, as "the Sun" is seen as a governor. He declared, after His resurrection and prior to His ascension, "all power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth" (Mt 28:18). As the "Exalted One" (Ps 89:19), the government of God and the kingship of the kingdom of God has been given unto Him (Isa 9:6).

Jesus is not just "the Sun" but "the Sun of RIGHTEOUSNESS" that is, He is the source of righteousness, the strength of righteousness, and His righteousness endures for ever. Jesus' rule is righteous. He establishes His kingdom "with judgment and with justice" (Isa 9:7). The sceptre of His kingdom "is a right sceptre" (Ps 45:6). Everything He does is righteous and all of those who submit to His rule are righteous as well, for He makes them righteous. They are the "children of the light" and "the children of the day" (1 Th 5:5).

Jesus is the Illuminator. The sun and the moon, you recall, were made to "be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth" (Gen 1:15). The sun gives light. Even so, the Sun of Righteousness gives light to those in the earth. Jesus said, "I am the Light of the world, he that followeth after Me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life" (Jn 8:12). Men stumble in darkness but walk circumspectly in the light. They are able to properly navigate around dangers and toward helps.

Darkness, in the Scriptures, is always associated with confusion, sin, and death. Those cast out of the kingdom of heaven are cast into "outer darkness" (Mt 8:12; 22:13) where these things abound. The "works of darkness," being unfit for the kingdom of heaven, are "unfruitful" and worthy of reproval (Eph 5:11). The most profound work of darkness was the crucifixion of the Lord's Christ where opportunity was given to "the power of darkness" (Lk 22:53). Those who perform such works show their distance from the God of heaven, who is Light. They are under "the power of Satan" (Acts 26:18) and their works testify to this. They love darkness rather than light (Jn 3:19) and therefore stay away from the light lest their deeds be made manifest.

Light, in the Scriptures, is always associated with understanding, righteousness, and life. The children of God, are children "of the light" and "of the day; we are not of the night, nor of darkness" (1 Th 5:5). These people come to the Light so that their deeds can be manifest as being wrought in God. They walk in the light and have fellowship with God. Their works testify of this communion with the Light.
Jesus is the Sun of Righteousness that "Greater Light." He is one who shines out of darkness.
He is "the True Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world" (Jn 1:9). Where darkness is also associated with ignorance, light is associated with understanding. "He that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes" (1 Jn 2:11). But "we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true, and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ" (1 Jn 5:20). God has caused this light of understanding to shine in our hearts "to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (2 Cor 4:6). Thus, we have been illuminated (Heb 10:32) and the eyes of our understanding have been enlightened (Eph 1:18) and will continue to be as Jesus continues to shine in our hearts.

Jesus, the Sun of Righteousness, causes darkness to disseminate and light to spring forth. Where He has been it is rightly said "those who sat in darkness have seen a great light" (Mt 4:16; Lk 1:79). Jesus does not allow men to remain in darkness but calls them out of it "into His marvelous light" (1 Pet 2:9). They walk with Him and please the Father. I praise God that He "divided the light from the darkness" (Gen 1:4).

Jesus is the Source of Strength. "In Him was life, and the life was the light of men" (Jn 1:4). Just as the sun is the source of all energy in the earth, so Jesus is the source of all life or energy God-ward. No man cometh unto the Father, either initially or ultimately, but by Jesus (Jn 14:6). He is the source of all strength to "come unto" or "draw nigh" unto God.

The light that emanates from Jesus to men is the product of His abundant life. "Because I live," He says, "ye shall live also" (Jn 14:19). When the Sun of Righteousness heals men they are strengthened to do the things that God requires them to do. When they "skip about like calves from the stall" (NASB), they "do righteousness" and no longer are slaves to sin. Their feeble knees are strengthened, their hands are lifted up, and they run with endurance the race set before them. They are healed!

The reason that believers are able to say "no" to Satan and "yes" to God is that they have been healed by the Sun of Righteousness. The light that He gives them is the source of spiritual life and strength. The rays of this Sun enable them to be "strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man" (Eph 3:16) and "according to His glorious power" (Col 1:11). Their strength is attibuted to Him. In other words, if the Sun of Righteousness didn't arise, no calves would go forth skipping about. If men are not healed by Him, they will not do righteousness (1 Jn 3:7). But alas, He is come and those who come to Him are healed. They are made alive and made strong.

Healing That Endures. Jesus is a healer. The Scripture declares that 'by His stripes we are healed' (1 Pet 2:24). This healing is not the healing of the body. (Although we do not doubt that He does this.) While the healing of the body is marvelous in our eyes it is only a delaying of inevitable death. Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. Only a changed body will be fit to inhabit the eternality and glory of heaven. The Lord will provide this body for those that love Him. Jesus' work is not about simply healing a body that is later to be destroyed but healing the soul that will endure forever in a body that endure for ever.

Jesus heals by granting us repentance, giving us a new heart, giving us a new mind, making us willing, and causing us to walk in His statutes. As a result of the Sun of Righteousness healing us, it is not said "ye were sick and now we are healthy" but rather, "ye were as sheep going astray, but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls" (1 Pet 2:25). This kind of healing will not eventually end in death; it will endure unto eternal life.

Jesus governs the day. He illuminates those in darkness. He provides strength to the weak. He heals those who are wounded. If you can be found among that number of "them that fear the Lord" you can have everlasting consolation and good hope because Jesus, the Sun of Righteousness, has arisen and He has done so with healing in His wings!

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Fearing the Lord in a Religiously Corrupt Environment

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver
"But unto you that fear My name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in His wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall." (Malachi 4:2)


The Condition of the People

The prophet Malachi ministered to a people much like the religious people of our day. The people were unpleasing to the Lord yet could not understand why. Their view of themselves was far different than God's view of them. The waywardness is displayed by their questioning of God and their inability to accurately perceive their condition and their standing with God.
  • The Lord declared "I have loved you" but they responded, "Wherein hast Thou loved us?" (1:2)
  • The Lord addressed the priests as those that "despise My name" and they responded "Wherein have we despised Thy name?" (1:6)
  • The Lord rebuked, "You offer polluted bread on My altar?" and they retorted, "Wherein have we polluted Thee?" (1:7)
  • He rebuked them for their manners at His altar and they asked, "Wherefore?" in other words, "What have we done wrong?, why are You displeased?" (2:14)
  • "Ye have wearied the Lord of hosts with your words. Yet ye say, 'Wherein have we wearied Him?'" (2:17)
  • "You have robbed Me? Yet you say, 'How have we robbed Thee?'" (3:8)
  • "Your words have been stout against Me, saith the Lord. Yet ye say, 'What have we spoken so much against Thee?'" (3:13)
In their ignorance they thought that their performance of religious duties justified them before God. This was not the case at all. God was not happy with them because their hearts were far from Him. The ministry they performed and the table of the Lord itself, was "contemptible" to them. They despised the requirements of serving the Lord and did as little as possible to appease the Lord. But, "be not deceived, God is not mocked" (Gal 6:7). He was very well aware of their affections, just as He is today. To be sure, God looks at the heart and is not worshipped by men's hands as though He needed anything.

God determined to put an end to their corrupt offerings. He requested of the people, "Oh, that one of you would shut the temple doors, so that you would not light useless fires on My altar! I am not pleased with you...and I will accept no offering from your hands" (Mal 1:10, NIV). He then issued harsh curses on the Levites who led the people astray. "I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart" (Mal 2:2). Let it be known that God is the focal point of all meaningful religion. It is incumbent upon all will come to Him to take it to heart that His name is honored and glorified.

The people were engaged in religious activity but had no concern for the name of God, the glory of God or ministry of God. It is not uncommon in our day to have many engaged in religious activities but neglect God Himself. A great multitude of "church-goers" lack any zeal for the name and glory of God. They perform religious duties which often amount to giving God the leftovers from their wallets, time and energy. It is a rare thing to see people actually sacrifice of themselves to serve the King of kings.

The religious climate of America is much like the religious climate of Malachi's day...and God has kept for Himself a remnant. Just as not all the people are lukewarm today, so not all the people were lukewarm then, and the Lord takes note of such people. It is written,
"Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another; and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name. And 'They shall be Mine,' saith the Lord of hosts, 'in that day when I make up My jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.'" (Malachi 3:16-17)
"The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished" (2 Pet 2:9). Those who fear God, fear His name, seek His glory and engage themselves in true ministry from the heart shall be spared from the wrath to come. Unto them "shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in His wings."

God Makes a Distinction. One of the purposes of the judgment and the coming of Christ is to make a distinction between the righteous and the wicked; between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. While many in our day are offended by the consideration that such a distinction even exists, it is, nevertheless, the truth. That day is a time which the followers of Jesus earnestly anticipate. It is a time when they shall be manifested as who they really are, the children of God (Rom 8:19).

Now, they that live by faith and walk by the Spirit are mostly unrecognized in the world. They are "hid with Christ in God" (Col 3:3). But it will not always be this way. There is coming a day when Christ shall be revealed from heaven and all those who have joined themselves to Him shall also be revealed. In fact, they shall be glorified together with Him (Rom 8:17).

The apostle spoke of such a separation being made at the coming of Christ and it being a display of God's righteousness. In other words, it is right to make such a distinction. This is not the task of men in the flesh but of God who is able to judge thoughts and intents of the heart. And in view of this judgment, every man will receive his reward for the deeds done in the body, whether good or bad. "Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; and to you who are troubled rest with us" (2 Th 1:6-7). God has gone on record saying that He will take vengeance "on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ." Such people will "be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power" (2 Th 1:8-9).

But, praise God, those who fear the Lord shall be spared. They shall escape the vengeance of God because the Sun of Righteousness has arisen to heal them. They shall be made jewels for the Lord's crown. While the earth and its works are burned up, they shall not even have the smell of smoke on them. They shall be loosed from the vexation that accompanied them while dwelling in a crooked and perverse generation. They shall be forever with the Lord. God will be their God and they shall be His people. The fullness of salvation and the fullness of the riches of Christ shall be given to them as they have an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom ministered unto them. What a day, glorious day, that will be.

We are living in a corrupt religious environment, but in the end it will go well for those who fear the Lord. Encourage one another with these words.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

My People Have Been Shown Mercy

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver
"Say ye unto your brethren, 'Ammi;' and to your sisters, 'Ruhammah'" (Hos 2:1).

The gospel is preached in view of what Christ Jesus has done! It is an announcement that sin has been put away and salvation is available in Christ Jesus the Lord. The gospel calls to those who were once "not a people" and says "Ammi," which means "you are My people." It calls out to those who had once not been shown mercy and says "Ruhammah," which means "you shall be shown mercy."

They Rejected the Lord. The people in Hosea's day were idolatrous. They were adulterers and adulteresses. They had gone after other gods and had forgotten the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They honored Him not as God, and neither did they give thanks. They attributed His provision to other gods. Much like Israel did with the golden calf saying, "These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt" (Exod 32:4), so the people in Hosea's day said, "I will go after my lovers, that give me my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, mine oil and my drink" (Hos 2:5).

It is never acceptable to attribute another's work to God or God's work to another. Thus, the Lord says of the people, "She did not know that I gave her corn, and wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold." God had provided all of these things for His people yet the people attributed their sustenance as coming from another. They even used God's provisions to prepare sacrifices to Baal (Hos 2:8). They took what God had given them and offered it in worship to a false god.

As a result of this God used the prophet Hosea to both speak and demonstrate what He would do with Israel. God told Hosea "Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms; for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the Lord" (Hos 1:2). Furthermore, God instructed Hosea to name one of his children "Lo-ruhammah: for I will no more have mercy upon the house of Israel; but I will utterly take them away" (Hos 1:6). Later, Hosea bore a son and was to name him "Lo-ammi: for ye are not My people and I will not be your God" (Hos 1:9). Hosea would be to his family what God was to Israel: married to a harlot, having children of harlotry.

This circumstance was not desirable to God. His people were living in wickedness and their iniquities had separated them from their God. As a result, they were dwelling in His wrath. His word to such people is "Repent!" "Plead with your mother, plead" (Hos 2:2) saith the Lord. God does not accept sin but calls men out of it. "As I live," saith the Lord God, "I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: 'Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will you die, O house of Israel?'" (Ezek 33:11).

The condition of God's people was an abomination to Him. But the Lord is abundant in mercy and would give them space to repent. He was determined to give them a good end. He committed Himself to gathering this wayward people to Himself. They would be able to consider the patience of the Lord as salvation. For in His wrath, He would remember mercy. "And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, 'Ye are not My people,' there is shall be said unto them, 'Ye are the sons of the living God'" (Hos 1:10).

God's Tender Mercies are Displayed in Salvation. Israel was not the only people who went "a whoring after the heathen" and was polluted by their idols. This is the experience of all the sons of Adam. "For ALL WE have gone astray; we have turned EVERY ONE to his own way" (Isa 53:6). The glory of the Lord is seen in His power and wisdom to save such people. And how would He do it? By causing the iniquity of us all to be laid on Jesus (Isa 53:6). Jesus took away the sin of the world so that this word through Hosea could be uttered: "I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say unto them which were not My people, 'Thou art My people,' and they shall say, 'Thou art my God'" (Hos 2:23).

God is revealing Himself in salvation. More of His person is displayed in His salvation than in His wrath. He is "not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Pet 3:9) and would "have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth" (1 Tim 2:4). When men consider their own straying from the Lord and the path of sin they trod, God's great salvation manifests to them His tender mercies and His power to save. They know it is a faithful saying, "Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear" (Isa 59:1).

A Proper View of Salvation. As men grow in their understanding of the work of God through Christ, it will become increasingly more obvious to them that "the Lord is longsuffering, and of great mercy" (Num 14:18). The wrath of God is upon "the children of disobedience" (Eph 5:6; Col 3:6). They are not, as some suppose, getting away with wickedness. They are, in fact, storing up for themselves "wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; who will render to every man according to his deeds" (Rom 2:5-6). The reason God has not rained down fire and brimstone like He did in Sodom and Gomorrah is because "the Lord is longsuffering, and of great mercy." But there is coming a day "wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat" (2 Pet 3:12). Until then all those who are out of the way can "account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation" (2 Pet 3:15).

And for those who have turned from their wicked ways and called upon the name of the Lord, they have something to say. "Say ye unto your brethren, 'Ammi;' and unto your sisters, 'Ruhammah.'" This is precisely the declaration of the apostles' doctrine. The Holy Spirit reasons upon Hosea's ministry and speaks comfortably to us in Christ Jesus:

"Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light: which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God [Ammi]; which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy [Ruhammah]." (1 Pet 2:9-10)

Sunday, November 4, 2012

He Consecrated a New and Living Way For Us


"Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil that is to say, His flesh; and having an High Priest over the house of God; let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water." (Hebrews 10:19-22)

This message was preached at the Refreshing Waters Renewal, "What Jesus Accomplished in our Behalf" on June 15th, 2011. The title of this message was "He Consecrated a New and Living Way For Us." This meeting was hosted by the Word of Truth Fellowship in Joplin, MO. For more videos from there visit their channel:    http://www.youtube.com/user/wotruth

The Life is in the Son


"And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son" (1 John 5:11).

This message was preached in Antwerp, OH on October 26th, 2012. This was a "Preaching Festival" based upon the theme "Eternal Life." For all of the messages, both video and audio, visit the hosting church's website:  http://loveofthetruthfellowship.com

Friday, November 2, 2012

Jesus Has Been Given the Tongue of the Learned

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver
"The Lord God hath given Me the tongue of the learned that I may know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary" (Isa 50:4).

Weariness is a natural consequence of living in a world that is suffering the bondage of corruption. Without Divine provision and sustenance "even the youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall utterly fall" (Isa 40:30). This is a grave danger for them that would endure to the end. For, it is a requirement of all men who desire to live eternally that they NOT "fall" and NOT grow weary. "For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of the Father, you may receive the promise" (Heb 10:36, NKJV). In order to "run with endurance, the race that is set before us" (Heb 12:1) we must have provision from on high. We must have one that is able to sustain us, establish us, and strengthen us. Therefore, let us look unto Jesus, who knows how "to sustain the weary one with a word" (NASB).

The Nature of Christ. It is Jesus and Jesus alone who knows what is in a man (Jn 2:25). With this ability to disern the thoughts and intents of the heart, the Word of life is able to recognize the weary sojourner and speak comfortably to him. He knows how to succor them that are tempted (Heb 2:18).

Jesus is compassionate. It is His nature. He will not break a battered reed and will not quench a smoking flax (Isa 42:3). Jesus is the "man" who is "a hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the temptest." He is "as rivers of water in a dry place, as a shadow of a great rock in a weary land" (Isa 32:2).

He delivers men from the toils associated with this life and He does so as one who has conquered. "In the world ye shall have tribulation," says He, "but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (Jn 16:33). Jesus is the Savior of all men and in an expression of His strength and wisdom, He sustains the weary ones that come to Him for rest.

A Word In Season. The kingdom of God operates in an economy of faith. Men overcome the world by faith and therefore they "live by every word of God" (Lk 4:4). Thus, the sustenance provided to strengthen the weary soul is "a word in season." Simon Peter knew this and when asked if he would depart from the Lord said, "To whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life" (Jn 6:68). The words of Christ have great power, even power to give life - to sustain the weary soul. "The words that I speak unto you," Jesus said, "are spirit, and they are life" (Jn 6:63).

Those who are weary and heavy laden are bid to come to Jesus for rest. It is there, in communion with the Lord, that He preaches "good tidings unto the meek" and "binds up the broken hearted" and proclaims "liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound" (Isa 61:1). This is speaking a word "in season" to the weary.

They are words spoken "at the appropriate and necessary time." They are words that are "fitly spoken" (Prov 25:11). This is what the psalmist would call giving those that "wait upon Thee...their meat in due season" (Ps 104:27; 145:15). Partakers of this precious ministry can say of a truth, "a word spoken in due season, how good it is!" (Prov 15:23). Jesus is THE Faithful Servant that gives the household of God their meat in due season (Mt 24:45) for He has been given the tongue of the learned to do so.

Go to Him. Just as God placed Joseph in Egypt to provide corn for the people during the time of famine, so He has placed Jesus at His right hand to provide "corn" for the people. We, too, live in a famine but "not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord" (Amos 8:11). But take heed, Jesus has been given the tongue of the learned and is able to speak a timely word to those that come to Him that He might "save much people alive" (Gen 50:20).

When you find yourself weary from your warfare against the forces of darkness, go to Jesus. Is anyone hungry? Is anyone thirsty? Is anyone weary? Go to Jesus!

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Mountain Top Magazine #3



Here is a copy of our third magazine. We have had to change the magazine from full color to black and white to be more cost efficient. As a result a partnership with the Banner of Truth Fellowship (banner.org) our mailing production went from making 50 copies to 300 copies. We now distribute our magazine to those on The Banner of Truth mailing list. We praise God for this increase and for these brethren. They have proved themselves to be able ministers of the new testament and faithful co-laborers with Christ.

The Mountain Top Magazine is 24 pages of fitting words pertaining to life and godliness. Here is the statement of purpose found on the last page of each issue:
It is our desire to preach Jesus. We want to see Him high and lifted up. Our purpose is to declare the Son of God, the salvation of God, the ways of God through the word of God. 
The purpose of this magazine is to preach the gospel through writing.
We have chosen the name “Mountain Top Magazine” for spiritual reasons, not topographical reasons. (We live by the Delaware beaches and our biggest “mountain” is actually a sand dune.) We desire to share with others that which we have seen and heard while on the “Mountain Top” with God. By dwelling in heavenly places and walking about Mount Zion, God will show His people many precious things. This magazine will serve as a report of those things which He has shown us. And that which we have received from the Lord, we will declare unto you.
That being said, feel free to read, download, duplicate and distribute any of these materials. If you desire a hard copy of this magazine, or to be put on our mailing list, please let me know.

Mountain Top Magazine #3

Mountain Top Magazine #2

Here is a copy of our second magazine. The Mountain Top Magazine began as a production of Rockswitch Street. This is where I live. When we began DeRonte and Sarah Polite were living in an apartment above our garage. Erik and Kayla Olmsted with their two children (at the time) moved in to the upstairs of our house. There were 10 people on our property and we all loved Jesus...and we all wanted to be more productive. Among other things, we began writing this magazine in hopes of encouraging the brethren with words of life. It proved to bless us and others in the process.

Since then, the Polite's and the Olmsted's have moved away but continue to contribute to this work. May we not grow weary in well-doing. May God cause this ministry to flourish in the furtherance of the gospel.

The magazine is 24 pages of fitting words pertaining to life and godliness. Here is the statement of purpose found on the last page of each issue:

It is our desire to preach Jesus. We want to see Him high and lifted up. Our purpose is to declare the Son of God, the salvation of God, the ways of God through the word of God. 
The purpose of this magazine is to preach the gospel through writing.
We have chosen the name “Mountain Top Magazine” for spiritual reasons, not topographical reasons. (We live by the Delaware beaches and our biggest “mountain” is actually a sand dune.) We desire to share with others that which we have seen and heard while on the “Mountain Top” with God. By dwelling in heavenly places and walking about Mount Zion, God will show His people many precious things. This magazine will serve as a report of those things which He has shown us. And that which we have received from the Lord, we will declare unto you.
That being said, feel free to read, download, duplicate and distribute any of these materials. If you desire a hard copy of this magazine, or to be put on our mailing list, please let me know.
Mountain Top Magazine #2

Mountain Top Magazine #1

Here is a copy of our first magazine. It is 24 pages of fitting words pertaining to life and godliness. Here is the statement of purpose for this magazine:
It is our desire to preach Jesus. We want to see Him high and lifted up. Our purpose is to declare the Son of God, the salvation of God, the ways of God through the word of God. 
The purpose of this magazine is to preach the gospel through writing.
We have chosen the name “Mountain Top Magazine” for spiritual reasons, not topographical reasons. (We live by the Delaware beaches and our biggest “mountain” is actually a sand dune.) We desire to share with others that which we have seen and heard while on the “Mountain Top” with God. By dwelling in heavenly places and walking about Mount Zion, God will show His people many precious things. This magazine will serve as a report of those things which He has shown us. And that which we have received from the Lord, we will declare unto you.
That being said, feel free to read, download, duplicate and distribute any of these materials. If you desire a hard copy of this magazine, or to be put on our mailing list, please let me know.
Mountain Top Magazine #1

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Christ is Not Divided

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver
The apostle Paul looked upon the landscape of the Corinthian church and penned these words:
"Now this I say, that every one of you saith, 'I am of Paul,' and 'I of Apollos,' and 'I of Cephas,' and 'I of Christ.' Is Christ divided?" (1 Corinthians 1:12-13)
The "church of God which is at Corinth" manifested their infantile and carnal condition by making and maintaining divisions among themselves (cf. 1 Cor 3:1-4). That being true, what can be said of today's church? There is reported to be approximately 41,000 denominations according to the Center for the Study of Global Christianity (for whatever that is worth). And make no mistake about it, the division goes much further than names on a building. The people are divided over most things pertaining to life and godliness.

All of these sects name the name of Christ...the same Christ who prayed "that they may be one" (Jn 17:11). The rhetorical and sobering question of the apostle must be asked again, "Is Christ divided?" And if not, than how can those who have been joined to Him be divided? The abundance of confusion and discord cries out "an enemy hath done this" (Mt 13:28).

Flesh: the Source of Division. It is categorically stated that division is the work of the flesh, not the spirit. That is, where the people are divided, at least one of the parties are living after the flesh. "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are...variance...strife, seditions" (Gal 5:20). Other versions read "sects" (YLT), "factions" (NIV) and "divisions" (ESV).

One of the deplorable traits of today's church is that it often boasts in its division, supposing it to be a good thing. "We just belong to different traditions," many say. But in Christ, we have been delivered from the traditions of men (1 Pet 1:18) and are admonished about being corrupted by them (Col 2:8). Today men cause separations based on race, age, gender, nationality, just about any distinction imaginable. But there is no benefit to be obtained from these things. The diversity of the church is a source of strength, not a reason for division.

We know no man after the flesh (2 Cor 5:16). Division only occurs where worldly interests are promoted. Where men recognize that they are dead (in the flesh) and their life is hid with Christ in God (Col 3:3) there is no need to speak about fleshly things or earthly interests. The multitude of divisions betrays the carnal condition of the people. "For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?" (1 Cor 3:3). Where this is the case, it is as though the Corinthian church has been resurrected.

Be Zealous and Repent. It is high time for all believers everywhere to throw off their carnal distinctions and grow up in Christ. "Brethren, be not children in understanding...in understanding be men" (1 Cor 14:20). God does not see men as those who are "of Paul" or "of Apollos" or "of Cephas." God does not recognize men as being "of Luther" or "of Wesley" or "of Campbell," and neither should we. Let everyone who is born of God reason this way, "ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's" (1 Cor 3:23).

"For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ," and He is not divided. "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body...and have been all made to drink into one Spirit" (1 Cor 12:12-13). How can this union, that has been brought about in Christ, be destroyed by men? "What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder" (Mk 10:9). Walk no more after the flesh. Think no more as a child. Consider one another with the mind of Christ and enjoy sweet fellowship as those alive from the dead.

Christ: the Source of Unity. When men are joined to Christ they are also joined to one another. Christ, the Prince of Peace, makes all those in Him "one." "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus" (Gal 3:28). Oneness, is not something to be pursued, but something to be acknowledged. We are not called to work toward being one but to recognize that WE ARE ONE.

In Christ we are "one fold" with "one Shepherd" (Jn 10:16). We have been "called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ" and therefore God expects that we "all speak the same thing, and that there be no division among [us]; but that [we] be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment" (1 Cor 1:9-10). I question whether such a thing is even possible in the flesh. But it is absolutely possible in the spirit. For, God had promised concerning His people, "I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you" (Ezek 11:19) and God has fulfilled this promise in the salvation which is in Christ Jesus: "And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul" (Acts 4:32). Unity among the brethren is the work of an exalted Christ, and indwelling Spirit, and a satisfied Father. The work of men is to endeavor to "keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Eph 4:3).

"Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you" (2 Cor 13:11). We have good reason to praise God because Christ is not divided.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Jesus: Sent to be the Savior of the World

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver
And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. (1 John 5:14)

All the sons of Adam have corrupted themselves and rendered themselves unfit for the Master's use. There is "none righteous, no not one" (Rom 3:10) says the Scriptures. Yet in order to accomplish His purpose, God needed one to intercede for this fallen race. He need a man in order to save man. But, "He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore His arm brought salvation unto Him; and His righteousness, it sustained Him" (Isa 59:16). In other words, "the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world."

What it means to be "the Savior of the world" is determined by at least two things: 1) the requirements of the Father and 2) the condition of the lost. The Savior will accomplish the will of the Father when no one else could, thereby delivering the lost from their certain condemnation.

The Will of the Father. God's will is loftier than any thought of man could have ever conceived. To this day the wisdom of men, abounding in philosophy and speculations about God, has not yet come to know God or what He has purposed in the earth. But God is not pleased with this ignorance. He is a revealer of secrets and He desires to make His will known. So, though His will "in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men," it has now been "revealed to His apostles and prophets in the Spirit" (Eph 3:5).

God has revealed that His will is eternal. It is called an "eternal purpose" (Eph 3:11) that was resolved before the world began and has been manifested in these last days. It is a will that has determined every action of God. He is working "all things after the counsel of His own will" (Eph 1:11).

His will or purpose involves men being conformed into His image (Rom 8:29) - God is righteous and His people must be as well. His will involves delivering us from this present evil world (Gal 1:4) - this world must give way to the world to come. His will involves making us to stand perfect and complete in all the will of God (Col 4:12) - there will be no unfinished projects in heaven. Christ's apostle's have declared that "this is the will of God for you, your santification" (1 Th 4:3) - all things that offend are excluded from God's presence.

Now, these are lofty tasks, to be sure, but they are quite necessary if man is going to dwell forever in the tabernacle of God. That being said, salvation involves the accomplishing of this will. No one can lay a claim to salvation if God's desires and demands are not satisfied. Men are going to need a Savior in order to fulfill this purpose of God and Jesus is equal to the task. He is "the Savior of all men" (1 Tim 4:10) and was, for this purpose, sent into the world. Thus, the culmination of God's purpose comes when all things are gathered together in Christ (Eph 1:10) resulting in "the praise of the glory of His grace" (Eph 1:6).

The Condition of Man. In order to understand why Jesus was sent to be the Savior of the world we must also consider how inadequate is the race of man. Why did we need Another to do the will of the Father for us? Why couldn't we do it ourselves? Were we really that bad? Could we not save ourselves? "And Jesus looking upon them saith, 'With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible'" (Mt 10:27). We needed a Savior.

Salvation is not possible with men because of how far men have fallen in sin. The affect of sin can never be overstated. As a result of sin, all have "come short of the glory of God" (Rom 3:23). Man is "dead in trespasses and sins" (Eph 2:1). He is "foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving diverse lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another" (Tit 3:3). He is not "good" or "righteous;" he does not understand or seek God; he is unprofitable and out of the way; his way is one of destruction and misery he does not fear God and his mouth is stopped and he is guilty before God; he is under sin (Romans 3:9-19). Man is not good and getting better; he is bad and getting worse.

Now, it is going to take Savior to correct this condition. It is going to take One who can deliver men from this present evil world that drew them away from their God (Gal 1:4). It is going to take One who is able to bring such corrupt people even up to glory (Heb 2:10); One who is able to raise them out of the dust and out of the dunghill, to set them among princes (Ps 113:7-8). It is going to take One who is able to bring those alienated from God into fellowship with Him (1 Pet 3:18). It is going to take One who would be able to present them before God as holy, blameless, without spot or wrinkle (2 Tim 1:9) AND keep them from falling before they get there (Jude 24). In short, they need One who is able to save them. Jesus is such a One.

Conclusion. Men are not free to speculate or philosophize about why Jesus came into the world. He came because the Father sent Him (Jn 5:23,30,36,37 etc). He was not sent to be an example for us, although He is. He was not sent to solve all of our problems, although He often does. He was not sent to stamp out a corrupt government, bring financial peace, or be your family counselor. Those things are too small. Jesus came because He was sent to be the Savior of the world. "...And thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins" (Mt 1:21).

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Made to Cleave Unto the Lord

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver
Concerning His people Israel and Judah, the Lord said, "This evil people, which refuse to hear my words, which walk in the imagination of their heart, and walk after other gods, to serve them, and to worship them, shall even be as this girdle, which is good for nothing. For as the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man, so have I caused to cleave unto Me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah," saith the Lord; "that they might be unto Me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory: but they would not hear." (Jeremiah 13:10-11)

Jeremiah was often used by God as an illustration for the people. In this case (Ch 13) he was told to take off his girdle (what we call a belt or sash) and hide it in a cleft of a rock near the Euphrates. This girdle was new and made of linen before he placed it in the rock but when he returned for it "behold, the girdle was marred, it was profitable for nothing" (Jer 13:7). We were all this way - profitable for nothing. Praise God, we are this way no longer.

The Flesh Profits Nothing. Jesus said, "that which is born of the flesh is flesh" (Jn 3:6). No matter how many advantages, no matter how much provision is given to the flesh it will still profit nothing (Jn 6:63). The flesh of man, what he has naturally received from Adam, is good for nothing. In being accepted by God, nothing offered by man has any worth or merit. Israel is the premier example of this. Who had more provision from God? Who saw more miracles? To them was given "the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises" (Rom 9:4). Their's "are the fathers" and through them "as concerning the flesh Christ came" (Rom 9:5). What else could God have given them? He advantaged above all others yet it did not make them better than anyone else - they, like all the sheep, went astray.

Isaiah also illustrated how the flesh always falls short.
Now will I sing to my well-beloved a song of my beloved touching His vineyard. My well-beloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill: and He fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein; and He looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes...What could have been done more to My vineyard, that I have not done in it? Wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes? (Isaiah 5:1-2,4)
The vine brought forth wild grapes because it was a fleshly vine. No matter how much provision and support was given, it still produced wild grapes. This vineyard, like the girdle, is the house of Israel and the house of Judah - advantaged above all others, yet fallen just like the rest. No matter what you do with flesh, it will still, only be flesh - and the flesh profits nothing. 

You Must Be Born Again. The Lord challenged the people to repent and the challenge still stands - if you can change yourselves and make yourselves righteous, then do it. "Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots?" saith the Lord, "then ye also do good, that are accustomed to evil" (Jer 13:23). Man cannot change himself to this degree. He may be able to stop bad behaviors and start good ones but he cannot come high enough so as to escape judgment. He cannot be spotless and unblameable and unreproveable in the sight of God by the efforts of the flesh. He must be born again.

"What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much in every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God" (Rom 3:1-2). The advantages of being a Jew are numerous but those advantages must be used. The Jews who loved the Lord and were looking for the Messiah quickly identified Him and received Him. They believed the preaching of the gospel and they turned to the Lord. Jesus said, "Come unto Me" and they came and they, like a girdle, cleaved unto the Lord with purpose of heart (Acts 11:23). They joined themselves to Him (1 Cor 6:17).

It is as though the girdle which had become marred and profitable for nothing has now become new and profits much. As a result of sin being put away and Christ being exalted, God has also made His people new creatures with new hearts. He has delivered them from the bondage of sin so that they are no longer slaves to it. They were made to cleave unto Him and it is in their heart to do so. He has made them willing in the day of Christ's power (Ps 110:3). He has made the tree good, therefore, it's fruit is good also (Mt 12:33). He has made them to "be unto [Him] for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory." How? by changing them within.

Jesus, Thou hast bought us,
Not with gold or gem,
But with Thin own life-blood,
For Thy diadem;

With Thy blessing filling
Each who come to Thee,
Thou hast made us willing,
Thou hast made us free.

By Thy grand redemption,
By Thy grace divine,
We are on the Lord's side -
Savior, we are Thine!
(Frances Havergal)