God Was in Christ Reconciling...

I realize I have written much on the following subject, but as Peter said to his readers, “Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.”

Every modernistic theologian, as well as the secular world, along with cults and isms, makes much ado about the historic Christ, as found in the gospels. When attempting to prove their point they’re noticeably consistent in avoiding the Pauline epistles, which puts the emphasis on the heavenly Christ. True, you cannot have one without the other, for each necessitates the other.  But just as true is progressive revelation. The new is enfolded in the old, but the old is unfolded in the new.

Now we can understand Paul’s statement, “though we have known Christ after the flesh (historically), yet now henceforth know we [Him] no more.” It is no longer the historic Christ, as important as this might be, but the heavenly Christ we are to give our attention to. As long as Christians worship a babe, they themselves will remain one. The days of His flesh are ended (Heb.5:7). Or as my pastor friend in Canada brought to my attention, we must get past the veil of His flesh, if we are to find and know God.

It is in Paul’s writings alone we learn the truths pertinent to how we, in this church age, are to live. Paul’s revelation is what Jesus wanted to say while here on earth but couldn’t. He told His disciples they were not ready, “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.”

Therefore, let me challenge each saint, not to be remiss in reading Paul’s letters. Read and re-read them often. They were written particularly with you in mind!  

All the Bible is for us, but not all of it is to us, or about us.

HAVE YOU BEEN MOVED?

“In old time...holy men of God...were moved by the Holy Ghost.”

(2 Pet. 1:21)

When was the last time you were moved? I’m not speaking of some sad soap opera you may have seen, a tear-jerking movie; nor am I referring to some heartbreaking illustration used in a sermon, as legitimate as that is. My reference is to the Holy Ghost of God; when is the last time you were consciously move by Him in fulfilling God’s will?

Carnal mysticism is not what we are discussing here, that is, attempting to pass over as spiritual something that, in reality, is no more than your personal feelings and emotion. I’m speaking of the Spirit of God moving in accordance with the Word of God, like in Genesis 1:2-3. When the Spirit spoke to Paul in Acts 16, his testimony was, “I was not disobedient.”

May it be said of each of us as it is recorded of Samson, “The Spirit of the Lord began to move him at times.” The Bible seems to teach that the Spirit of God is the most sensitive person of the Godhead. Jesus tells us in the gospels that all manner of sin and blasphemy against Him shall be forgiven, but not when it is against the Holy Ghost! Therefore, when He moves us, let’s get a move on!

Symbolism Without Substance

There is something I have observed in churches over these many years. Whenever a church becomes lifeless and lethargic, there is a strong attraction toward symbolism, something or someone to replace the missing substance, in this case, Christ!

Characteristically, you’ll find the words, “Let us make us…” dominate the vocabulary of those void of the essential ONE. Whether it is the Tower of Babel, a golden calf, or a king, they are frantic to find a substitute for their lost substance.

God’s people are expert at creating or calling someone in from the wings as an alternate for the “STAR.” But no stand-in can ever match the part HE plays on the stage of life. All and every proxy is no more than, “sounding brass, or a tinkling symbol.”

It is a destructive addition to add anything to Christ.

Richard Sibbes

Jesus' Last Hours

“The Master saith, My time is at hand.”

(Matt. 26:18)

Although Our Lord spoke of His rejection, sufferings, and death on various occasions, still His disciples did not grasp the full depth of this upcoming event. Only Mary did, showing it to be so, by the anointing of His body for the burying.

The last hours of our Saviour’s life on earth are very instructive for those who are spiritually-minded. For over three years He had spoken of this day that now, says He, has arrived. This truth awards us with faith to face the future, no matter what it has in store for us, if we permit it.

Christ did not sit around and feel sorry for himself, as Saul of old, but was busy being a blessing to the end. He had supper with His friends, the disciples; taught them a lesson on humility, by washing their feet; led them in a song; prayed for them in His high priestly prayer; and instructed them concerning their union with Him in the story of the vine and branches. He then left them with the sight of Him accepting God’s will for His life by His Gethsemane experience. Then, His final example: how to die in the Will of God.

Jesus never resented others not sharing in His suffering, and particular predicament. He did not begrudge them their physical health or material blessings.  There was no, “Why me?” but rather, “Why not me?” He had “Set His face like a flint.” You did not hear, “What shall this man do?” But rather, “I delight to do thy will, O my God.” Jesus lived life to its fullest, right up to the end. Let’s do the same.

“He who planned my coming into the world, has planned my leaving it.”

(rds)

Acquainted With God

“Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.” When the Word of God (A.V.1611) speaks of being acquainted with someone or something, it does not mean what we generally take it to mean today. Rather than a slight familiarity, it can mean a deep knowledge of the subject. For example, Jesus was “acquainted with grief.”

Much, in some circles, is made of the Word of God, but little of the God of the Word. The purpose of the former is to reveal to us the latter. To stop short with the first is to remain in the Outer Court of the Tabernacle, so to speak, without ever entering the Holy of Holies where God abides. The Laver (type of the Word of God), which was without the Veil, was a preparatory means in one’s approach to God within the Veil.

Many pride themselves and flaunt the fact that they know the Word of God. But after spending only a few minutes in their presence, it is obvious they know little or nothing of The Book’s author! Satan can quote scripture, the Pharisee’s had a working knowledge of it, and the Scribe’s were considered interpreters of the scriptures; yet none of these had a deep and meaningful relationship with God.

“John Owen and John Calvin knew more theology than John Bunyan or Billy Bray, but who would deny that the latter pair knew their God every bit as well as the former?”

(J.I. Packer)

Fruitless Fantasies

“But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I  thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.”

(2Kgs. 5:11-12)

In the above story we see things didn’t go the way Naaman thought they would. Those of us who have some years chalked up to us can testify they usually do not. Reality rarely matches the ideal.  Therefore, we need to learn as the old adage used by the boxing professionals goes, to “roll with the punches.” If we do not, like Naaman, we may end up in a stew.

I remember, when just a boy, how the girls would see a large flock of innumerable birds flying overhead and would point and say, “There goes my wedding.” But most, if not all, never saw the fruit of their youthful imagery. And so it was with us boys, though in a different vein. For some, reality set in early in life; with others, it came later. But sooner or later, all had their idealistic bubbles burst.

If we are to overcome the anxieties and frustrations of a pre-planned life, on our part it is necessary, before God, to recognize and surrender to His predestined plan for us. It is to be found in the Word of God and on our knees in prayer. It is a day by day thing, trusting Him to lead moment by moment. Refuse to conjure up any thought about how your life will be lived.

We are to live by faith, not fantasies!

Don't Give Up

“And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.”

It dawned on me recently that the only thing Jesus ever gave up was the “ghost” (the spirit of a dead man), at His death. If there was ever an individual that had an excuse to give up, it was He. And we are not speaking of isolated occasions, but numerous ones. In spite of all the trials, misunderstandings, and sufferings of life, He never quit on God. Isaiah tells us of Him, prophetically, “He shall not be discouraged.”  To one who is familiar with the gospel account of His earthly life, this is indeed a startling statement, is it not?

It is recorded of Him, “He shall not fail nor be discouraged,” and “I delight to do thy will, O my God.” This included the Cross and all that was associated with it. A great number around Him were giving up, even those close to Him, but that didn’t dissuade Him, “He set His face like a flint.” He had burned all His bridges; there was no going back! Hebrews hints at what His secret of endurance was — He kept His eyes on the joy that was set before Him. The writer of this blessed book then tells us we are to, “Consider Him that endured.”

“Dust, rusty nails, and blood notwithstanding, the ground at the foot of the Cross is the only vantage point from which to view life clearly. To see things there is to see them truly.”

(Rebecca Manley Pippert)

The Last Leaf

“...as the leaf falleth off from the vine...we all do fade as a leaf...as a leaf...the wind, [has] taken us away.”

(Isa. 34:4 ;64:6)

I read something recently that brought to my mind an incident that took place in my second pastorate. One fall day I was lying on a couch resting for our Wednesday evening service. As I stared out the window I noticed on the giant oak tree in our front yard a lone leaf left on the tree. I remember distinctly saying to myself, “Someday that will be me.”

Well, that day has come, I am now alone, all my immediate family, on my side, have fallen into the ground and died. Mother, father, sister, and others, all gone. I only am left, awaiting that one last strong wind to do its job. I know not the time or day that gust of wind will come, but I do know I am ready. That is, as ready as an old redeemed sinner can be. As David of old, I find myself listening for the “sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees” (2 Sam. 5:24).

My question to our readers today is, “Are you ready for that last blast of wind in your life?” It may be sooner than you expect. The clouds may be forming just over the horizon.  Many are too busy living to take time to think about their unenviable departure. As the much quoted saying goes, “You’re not ready to live until you’re ready to die.” Remember, as the old Puritan said, “This world is only a Inn, a place to stop over on our way Home.”

“Will you be homesick in Heaven?”

(rds)