"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?" (Isa 5:4)
One of the great tragedies of the human race is the nation of Israel. Though created and loved by God, it provides an excellent example of the poverty of the natural man, or people without a new heart and spirit. In his fallen state, man is utterly hopeless. Even when every conceivable advantage is given to him by God Himself, no good comes from him. For some, this is too hard to receive. Yet, it is the clear declaration of Scripture.
Israel is a case in point. Its beginnings were noble, and its blessing unexcelled. It is not possible for a people to have more advantages than they. God said of them, "He dug it up and cleared out its stones, And planted it with the choicest vine. He built a tower in its midst, And also made a winepress in it; So He expected it to bring forth good grapes, But it brought forth wild grapes" (Isa 5:2). The way was cleared for Israel, giving her every possible advantage. Hindrances were removed. The best vine, or most noble human stock, was planted – even father Abraham. Provision was made for God to gain glory through her, and outlets for Divine glory were created in her. God Himself "expected" good to come from her – good that would delight His heart. But it did not happen. He received "wild grapes."
The Lord reasoned with Israel. "What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it?" They were given the best progenitor among men – Abraham, "the friend of God" James 2:23). They were given their own land, with the nations being driven out before them. They had the best Law, the presence of the Lord, and all of the prophets. They had the exclusive privilege of serving the Lord and possessing all of the promises. It is not possible to have more advantages than that.
Yet, after all of this, the harvest they yielded was nothing more than "wild grapes." They actually produced no more for God’s glory than the heathen who had no advantages at all. What came from them was not different from what would come from a people with no Divine benefits or promises at all. "WILD GRAPES!" What a description!
If anyone imagines men are inherently good, they need to hear what God said of this Divinely-cultured nation. They were the BEST among the nations – the most favored among the nations. Yet, they yielded "wild grapes." They had exclusive rights to "the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises." The "fathers" whom God honored belong to them, and even the Lord Jesus came from them (Rom 9:4-5). Yet, they brought forth "wild grapes."
The human race does not need mere information – not even commandments, or directions – or even benefits. None of that will change them, and that is what needs to occur – a CHANGE. New hearts and new spirits – a new nature–that is the issue. Settle it in your heart, no person, regardless of the benefits and advantages given to him, will produce anything but "wild grapes" until they become "a new creation in Christ Jesus." There is no need to philosophize about this, the Lord has given us the supreme proof in Israel, His people according to the flesh. No pleasing harvest can be produced by the natural man! He can only bring forth "wild grapes."
– Given O. Blakely
Friday, June 5, 2009
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
ALL THESE THINGS ARE AGAINST ME
"And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me." – Genesis 42:36
OVER THIRTEEN YEARS had passed since Joseph, Jacob's favorite son, had been seen. Jacob was endeared to Joseph because he was "the son of his old age" (Gen 37:3). After having sold their younger brother into slavery, Joseph's brothers had brought his blood-stained coat to their father, asking if that was Joseph's coat. Jacob concluded an evil beast had devoured his son, tearing him into pieces (Gen 37:32-33). It was a sad day, indeed, for the aging patriarch.
NOW, THIRTEEN YEARS LATER,, a hard famine had struck the land, causing hope to wither. Hearing that Egypt had a supply of grain, Jacob charged his sons to go and purchase grain for them so they could live and not die (Gen 42:2-3). Ten of the brothers went, leaving Benjamin, whom Jacob "did not send," reasoning, "Lest some calamity befall him" (42:4).
UNBEKNOWN TO JACOB, Joseph was not dead at all. Instead, he was actually "the governor over the land, and he it was that sold to all the people of the land" (42:6). As soon as his brothers came, Joseph recognized them, but acted like a stranger before them. He remembered the dreams he had about them, and subtly chided them by saying they were spies trying to find unprotected parts of Egypt (v 9-12). If they wanted to prove they were not spies, he told them, they would have to bring their youngest brother to him. The words rang in their ears, stirring all kinds of conviction in their hearts: "Bring your youngest brother unto me" (v 20).
UPON RETURNING HOME, the brothers gave the message to their father. When he heard the demand, Jacob replied, "You have bereaved me: Joseph is no more, Simeon is no more, and you want to take Benjamin. All these things are against me." Indeed, it did appear that way, but nothing could have been further from the truth. Joseph was alive and well, Benjamin was not going to be lost, Simeon was well, and Jacob was about to receive one of the greatest blessings of his life. The circumstances were not against him at all.
OH, CHILD OF GOD, Jacob is not the last person to be struck down with hopelessness, fearing everything was against him. One of the great infirmities of the flesh is that of ignorance – not being able to see what the Lord is doing. Great men of God have been driven to despair by their circumstances – men like David (Psa 18:4), Elijah (1 Kgs 19:10), and Paul (2 Cor 1:8). But faith enabled them to recover. It will do the same for you also.
THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF LIFE, grievous though they be, cannot change the facts. God is keeping you from falling. The angels are faithfully ministering to you. The Lord Jesus ever lives to intercede for you. The Holy Spirit is strengthening you within. And, your heavenly Father is "working all things together" for your good. That is the way things really are. Our God will "never leave" us or "forsake" us. That is His promise (Heb 13:5). So, when the experiences of life seem to be against you, ask the Lord to help your unbelief. He will do so, and you will again be joyful–in the midst of trial.– Given O. Blakely
OVER THIRTEEN YEARS had passed since Joseph, Jacob's favorite son, had been seen. Jacob was endeared to Joseph because he was "the son of his old age" (Gen 37:3). After having sold their younger brother into slavery, Joseph's brothers had brought his blood-stained coat to their father, asking if that was Joseph's coat. Jacob concluded an evil beast had devoured his son, tearing him into pieces (Gen 37:32-33). It was a sad day, indeed, for the aging patriarch.
NOW, THIRTEEN YEARS LATER,, a hard famine had struck the land, causing hope to wither. Hearing that Egypt had a supply of grain, Jacob charged his sons to go and purchase grain for them so they could live and not die (Gen 42:2-3). Ten of the brothers went, leaving Benjamin, whom Jacob "did not send," reasoning, "Lest some calamity befall him" (42:4).
UNBEKNOWN TO JACOB, Joseph was not dead at all. Instead, he was actually "the governor over the land, and he it was that sold to all the people of the land" (42:6). As soon as his brothers came, Joseph recognized them, but acted like a stranger before them. He remembered the dreams he had about them, and subtly chided them by saying they were spies trying to find unprotected parts of Egypt (v 9-12). If they wanted to prove they were not spies, he told them, they would have to bring their youngest brother to him. The words rang in their ears, stirring all kinds of conviction in their hearts: "Bring your youngest brother unto me" (v 20).
UPON RETURNING HOME, the brothers gave the message to their father. When he heard the demand, Jacob replied, "You have bereaved me: Joseph is no more, Simeon is no more, and you want to take Benjamin. All these things are against me." Indeed, it did appear that way, but nothing could have been further from the truth. Joseph was alive and well, Benjamin was not going to be lost, Simeon was well, and Jacob was about to receive one of the greatest blessings of his life. The circumstances were not against him at all.
OH, CHILD OF GOD, Jacob is not the last person to be struck down with hopelessness, fearing everything was against him. One of the great infirmities of the flesh is that of ignorance – not being able to see what the Lord is doing. Great men of God have been driven to despair by their circumstances – men like David (Psa 18:4), Elijah (1 Kgs 19:10), and Paul (2 Cor 1:8). But faith enabled them to recover. It will do the same for you also.
THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF LIFE, grievous though they be, cannot change the facts. God is keeping you from falling. The angels are faithfully ministering to you. The Lord Jesus ever lives to intercede for you. The Holy Spirit is strengthening you within. And, your heavenly Father is "working all things together" for your good. That is the way things really are. Our God will "never leave" us or "forsake" us. That is His promise (Heb 13:5). So, when the experiences of life seem to be against you, ask the Lord to help your unbelief. He will do so, and you will again be joyful–in the midst of trial.– Given O. Blakely
Monday, June 1, 2009
THE END IS NOT YET
"And when ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet." (Mark 13:7)
JESUS was with His disciples on "the Mount of Olives opposite the temple." Only four of them were present, Peter, Andrew, James, and John (Mk 13:3). Prior to this, Jesus had been watching "how" people put their money into the Temple treasury. After beholding "a certain poor widow" put in two small coins, Jesus called His disciples aside and said, "Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living" (Mk 12:41-44). Then, as He "went out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, ‘Teacher, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!'" (13:1). It was as though the disciple was saying, "These buildings cannot be maintained with small coins! How is it that You say this woman has given the most?"
IT WAS THEN that Jesus boldly declared, "Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be thrown down" (13:2). The saying perplexed the disciples. Later, as Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives, "Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately, Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?" (13:3-4). Matthew unveils the fact that they actually asked three questions: "Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?" (Matt 24:3). Jesus then began to unfold to them facts concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, the holy city, as well as events related to the end of time. He showed them how the devastation of Jerusalem was also a portent of the end of the world, in which all men would made accountable.
FOREMOST in His answer was the warning NOT to be deceived by any man (v 5). "Many," He said, would come in His name, actually saying "I am Christ," or the one appointed to bring deliverance and resolution to the world. Tremendous global disturbance would occur among the nations, as "wars and rumors of wars" would rise to the consternation of many (v 7). Frightening things, indeed – at least to the flesh.
IN SOVEREIGNTY, however, Jesus allays the fears of the interrogating quartet, adding that there is yet more to come. "And when ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet." The words sound strange. Why did He say them?
THE POINT of His Word was that the world is operating under a Divine agenda. Jesus was not simply announcing grievous things to come, but pointing them to "the end." There is a purpose being fulfilled in the earth, and it is strictly governed from heaven. The troubles rising in the earth are evidence of iniquity boiling over, revealing the wickedness of men and the extent of their rebellion against God. "The end" will not come until this has been sufficiently manifested to declare God is righteous in His judgment of the wicked and exoneration of the righteous.
WITHOUT being filled with morose or fearful, God's people must adopt "the end is not yet" mentality. In other words, they must recognize that until the end, trouble and disturbance are actually normalities in this wicked world. They should neither frighten nor discourage us. Rather, they are to assist us in preparing for "the end," when they will all be terminated.
– Given O. Blakely
JESUS was with His disciples on "the Mount of Olives opposite the temple." Only four of them were present, Peter, Andrew, James, and John (Mk 13:3). Prior to this, Jesus had been watching "how" people put their money into the Temple treasury. After beholding "a certain poor widow" put in two small coins, Jesus called His disciples aside and said, "Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living" (Mk 12:41-44). Then, as He "went out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, ‘Teacher, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!'" (13:1). It was as though the disciple was saying, "These buildings cannot be maintained with small coins! How is it that You say this woman has given the most?"
IT WAS THEN that Jesus boldly declared, "Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be thrown down" (13:2). The saying perplexed the disciples. Later, as Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives, "Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately, Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?" (13:3-4). Matthew unveils the fact that they actually asked three questions: "Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?" (Matt 24:3). Jesus then began to unfold to them facts concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, the holy city, as well as events related to the end of time. He showed them how the devastation of Jerusalem was also a portent of the end of the world, in which all men would made accountable.
FOREMOST in His answer was the warning NOT to be deceived by any man (v 5). "Many," He said, would come in His name, actually saying "I am Christ," or the one appointed to bring deliverance and resolution to the world. Tremendous global disturbance would occur among the nations, as "wars and rumors of wars" would rise to the consternation of many (v 7). Frightening things, indeed – at least to the flesh.
IN SOVEREIGNTY, however, Jesus allays the fears of the interrogating quartet, adding that there is yet more to come. "And when ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet." The words sound strange. Why did He say them?
THE POINT of His Word was that the world is operating under a Divine agenda. Jesus was not simply announcing grievous things to come, but pointing them to "the end." There is a purpose being fulfilled in the earth, and it is strictly governed from heaven. The troubles rising in the earth are evidence of iniquity boiling over, revealing the wickedness of men and the extent of their rebellion against God. "The end" will not come until this has been sufficiently manifested to declare God is righteous in His judgment of the wicked and exoneration of the righteous.
WITHOUT being filled with morose or fearful, God's people must adopt "the end is not yet" mentality. In other words, they must recognize that until the end, trouble and disturbance are actually normalities in this wicked world. They should neither frighten nor discourage us. Rather, they are to assist us in preparing for "the end," when they will all be terminated.
– Given O. Blakely
Friday, May 29, 2009
DREAMING DREAMS AND SEEING VISIONS
" And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams." – Acts 2:17
THE DAY of Pentecost was a day of remarkable announcement – a time when the door of salvation was thrown open, and men were granted the privileges of remission and the gift of the Holy Spirit. After tarrying in prayer and expectation, the Holy Spirit filled Peter, and he began to speak with keen spiritual insight. Seeing the truth of it himself, he declared that Joel's prophecy of a great outpouring of the Spirit was being fulfilled right before their eyes: "But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel" (Acts 2:16). The "last days" – the closing period of history – were upon them, and blessing was being lavished upon humanity. It was a singular moment in history!
WHAT A RADICAL THOUGHT! "I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh!" One of our first exposures to the expression "all flesh" is related to the destructive flood – certainly not a blessing for "all flesh." Concerning that occasion, "all flesh had corrupted their way upon the earth," and thus "all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man" (Gen 6:12; 7:21). Only Noah and his family survived. Now Peter announces the exact opposite of destruction. Rather than withdrawing His Spirit, as He did in Noah's day, He would pour out his Spirit lavishly upon "all flesh" – all humanity, every kind of person. There would be release from the guilt and power of sin, and reconciliation to the Living God. Glorious announcements, indeed!
PART OF THE BLESSING involved a most unusual thing. "Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams." This is the exact opposite of the course of nature. Ordinarily, old men saw visions, and young men dreamed dreams. Normally, though not confined to them, young men like Joseph "dreamed dreams" (Gen 37:5-10), and old men like Abraham "saw visions" (Gen 15:1-21; ). Too, during the time of the Law, the experience of dreams and visions were reserved for prophets (Num 12;6). Ezekiel had "visions of God," in which his understanding of the Lord was enlarged (Ezek 1:1). You can nearly count on your fingers all of the people who are said to have had dreams and visions from God prior to the day of Pentecost. Such things were rare, indeed.
NOW THE SPIRIT ANNOUNCES that a day has come when such insight and understanding will be common. Old men will have spiritual experiences generally reserved for the younger. Young men will receive understanding generally experienced by the older. The tearing of the Temple veil in two had so opened the heavens that extraordinary spiritual experiences could be enjoyed by both young and old. Reconciliation would bring heaven closer, and open the vast area of spiritual understanding to the redeemed.
LET NOT CHILD OF GOD look upon youth as a handicap. Nor, indeed, should the older among us consider their age a hindrance. This is day of spiritual liberty and opportunity. Let every soul be encouraged to expect great things from God.– Given O. Blakely
THE DAY of Pentecost was a day of remarkable announcement – a time when the door of salvation was thrown open, and men were granted the privileges of remission and the gift of the Holy Spirit. After tarrying in prayer and expectation, the Holy Spirit filled Peter, and he began to speak with keen spiritual insight. Seeing the truth of it himself, he declared that Joel's prophecy of a great outpouring of the Spirit was being fulfilled right before their eyes: "But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel" (Acts 2:16). The "last days" – the closing period of history – were upon them, and blessing was being lavished upon humanity. It was a singular moment in history!
WHAT A RADICAL THOUGHT! "I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh!" One of our first exposures to the expression "all flesh" is related to the destructive flood – certainly not a blessing for "all flesh." Concerning that occasion, "all flesh had corrupted their way upon the earth," and thus "all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man" (Gen 6:12; 7:21). Only Noah and his family survived. Now Peter announces the exact opposite of destruction. Rather than withdrawing His Spirit, as He did in Noah's day, He would pour out his Spirit lavishly upon "all flesh" – all humanity, every kind of person. There would be release from the guilt and power of sin, and reconciliation to the Living God. Glorious announcements, indeed!
PART OF THE BLESSING involved a most unusual thing. "Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams." This is the exact opposite of the course of nature. Ordinarily, old men saw visions, and young men dreamed dreams. Normally, though not confined to them, young men like Joseph "dreamed dreams" (Gen 37:5-10), and old men like Abraham "saw visions" (Gen 15:1-21; ). Too, during the time of the Law, the experience of dreams and visions were reserved for prophets (Num 12;6). Ezekiel had "visions of God," in which his understanding of the Lord was enlarged (Ezek 1:1). You can nearly count on your fingers all of the people who are said to have had dreams and visions from God prior to the day of Pentecost. Such things were rare, indeed.
NOW THE SPIRIT ANNOUNCES that a day has come when such insight and understanding will be common. Old men will have spiritual experiences generally reserved for the younger. Young men will receive understanding generally experienced by the older. The tearing of the Temple veil in two had so opened the heavens that extraordinary spiritual experiences could be enjoyed by both young and old. Reconciliation would bring heaven closer, and open the vast area of spiritual understanding to the redeemed.
LET NOT CHILD OF GOD look upon youth as a handicap. Nor, indeed, should the older among us consider their age a hindrance. This is day of spiritual liberty and opportunity. Let every soul be encouraged to expect great things from God.– Given O. Blakely
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
NOT “YES and NO”
"But as God is faithful, our word to you was not Yes and No . . . For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us" (2 Cor 1:18-20, NKJV)
AN understanding of what God has given to us in Christ is to be sought with great energy. The New Covenant, ratified by the blood of Christ, reflects a wisdom and glory so grand it cannot be perceived to any degree by the disinterested. In this text, the nature of our salvation is described in unusual words. They set the New Covenant apart from the Old Covenant, showing it to be superior.
UNDER the Old Covenant, both favor and torments were brought together. "The blessings AND the cursings" were an integral part of the covenant itself (Josh 8:34). When the covenant was read to the people, the blessings were read from Mount Gerizim, and the cursings from Mount Ebal (Deut 27:12-13). Both were awesome in their words and implications.
WHEN it comes to the New Covenant, there is an alarming tendency for men imagine it is like the Old Covenant. However, it is emphatically "not according to the covenant" made at Mount Sinai, with curses as well as blessings. If you doubt this is the case, read the New Covenant for yourself (Jer 31:33-34; Heb 8:10-12; 10:16-17). There is not a solitary curse found in it–not a single one! There is not a "Thou shalt" in it – not a solitary one! There is not a "Thou shalt not" in it – not one. It consists only of promises – Divine commitments. Read it! "This IS the covenant . . . " (Jer 31:33-34; Heb 8:10-12; 10:16-17). This does not mean God has no commandments for His people, or that there are no prohibitions. It does mean they are not part of the covenant itself. The Covenant is categorically called "the Promise" in Romans 4:13-16 and Galatians 3:14-29).
WITH this in mind, look at our text again. The Apostle says his word, or message, was NOT "Yes and No." From one standpoint, his preaching was not wavering and uncertain, but sure. The reason for this, however, was because of the nature of the gospel (the message of the Covenant) itself. It is NOT a composite of blessings and cursings, all of which make for uncertainty, doubt, and fear. The reason the New Covenant can be so described is because it all hinges upon Christ Jesus, and not upon human accomplishment. Further, our affiliation with Christ is by faith, and not by works of righteousness we have done.
ALL of this is marvelously confirmed in the 20th verse. "For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us." In Christ, nothing is withheld from us that God has promised! God is glorified by this circumstance, for it draws attention to the effectiveness of both Christ's sacrifice and our faith. The door to the rich repository of Divine promises has been opened by Jesus, and we are "in Him." As we stand in this large door, opened to us by God's grace, we are to utter the "AMEN" of agreement and reception to all of those promises. The person who does this in faith "has set his seal to this, that God is true" (John 3:33, NASB). He has believed the "report God has given of His Son" 91 John 5:10-11), and thus made all of the promises his own. In our belief of and acquiescence to the promises, God Himself will confirm the truth of them to our hearts. That is, we will experience the fulfillment of them in ourselves. The New Covenant is NOT "Yes and No!"
– Given O. Blakely
AN understanding of what God has given to us in Christ is to be sought with great energy. The New Covenant, ratified by the blood of Christ, reflects a wisdom and glory so grand it cannot be perceived to any degree by the disinterested. In this text, the nature of our salvation is described in unusual words. They set the New Covenant apart from the Old Covenant, showing it to be superior.
UNDER the Old Covenant, both favor and torments were brought together. "The blessings AND the cursings" were an integral part of the covenant itself (Josh 8:34). When the covenant was read to the people, the blessings were read from Mount Gerizim, and the cursings from Mount Ebal (Deut 27:12-13). Both were awesome in their words and implications.
WHEN it comes to the New Covenant, there is an alarming tendency for men imagine it is like the Old Covenant. However, it is emphatically "not according to the covenant" made at Mount Sinai, with curses as well as blessings. If you doubt this is the case, read the New Covenant for yourself (Jer 31:33-34; Heb 8:10-12; 10:16-17). There is not a solitary curse found in it–not a single one! There is not a "Thou shalt" in it – not a solitary one! There is not a "Thou shalt not" in it – not one. It consists only of promises – Divine commitments. Read it! "This IS the covenant . . . " (Jer 31:33-34; Heb 8:10-12; 10:16-17). This does not mean God has no commandments for His people, or that there are no prohibitions. It does mean they are not part of the covenant itself. The Covenant is categorically called "the Promise" in Romans 4:13-16 and Galatians 3:14-29).
WITH this in mind, look at our text again. The Apostle says his word, or message, was NOT "Yes and No." From one standpoint, his preaching was not wavering and uncertain, but sure. The reason for this, however, was because of the nature of the gospel (the message of the Covenant) itself. It is NOT a composite of blessings and cursings, all of which make for uncertainty, doubt, and fear. The reason the New Covenant can be so described is because it all hinges upon Christ Jesus, and not upon human accomplishment. Further, our affiliation with Christ is by faith, and not by works of righteousness we have done.
ALL of this is marvelously confirmed in the 20th verse. "For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us." In Christ, nothing is withheld from us that God has promised! God is glorified by this circumstance, for it draws attention to the effectiveness of both Christ's sacrifice and our faith. The door to the rich repository of Divine promises has been opened by Jesus, and we are "in Him." As we stand in this large door, opened to us by God's grace, we are to utter the "AMEN" of agreement and reception to all of those promises. The person who does this in faith "has set his seal to this, that God is true" (John 3:33, NASB). He has believed the "report God has given of His Son" 91 John 5:10-11), and thus made all of the promises his own. In our belief of and acquiescence to the promises, God Himself will confirm the truth of them to our hearts. That is, we will experience the fulfillment of them in ourselves. The New Covenant is NOT "Yes and No!"
– Given O. Blakely
Monday, May 25, 2009
UNSEARCHABLE RICHES
" . . . the unsearchable riches of Christ . . ." (Ephesians 3:8)
THERE is a magnitude in salvation that causes it to remain fresh and challenging to the redeemed. In Christ Jesus, God has provided "riches" that surpass any human conception or perception. Throughout history, men have struggled with small views of God and His great salvation. These struggles are temptations hurled at us by the devil. He knows if we view what God has given us as either small or unattainable, we will not extend ourselves to appropriate those things. How marvelous that faith equips us to deal with these temptations to think small.
THE details of our salvation, or the provisions brought to us in Christ, are called "the unsearchable riches of Christ." They are heavenly treasures men may possess, handle, and enjoy. These "riches" are not the remarkable experiences we enjoy, like joy, peace, understanding, etc. They are more lofty than human experience, as precious as that is. Here the Spirit is referring to the plans and purposes of God – His gracious intentions for mankind. It is what He purposed to do through Jesus Christ in a world blasted by sin, and among a people found in a condemned and hopeless state. Such a challenge is worthy of our God!
WE are talking about a purpose so lofty that holy angels cannot investigate, analyze, or comprehend it. As it is written, the prophets "did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into" (1 Pet 1:12). When they peer into this purpose, as revealed through the Gospel, their wisdom withers, and their comprehension becomes impotent. What is more, God has made no effort to personally explain it to them, even though they remain in His presence, are undefiled, and excel in both wisdom and strength. They cannot learn about it directly. The riches are "unsearchable" – even to angels, to say nothing of men.
NOW, however, these "unsearchable riches" are being made known to "principalities and powers in heavenly places" through "the church." (verse 10). This body of people consists of Jews and Gentiles that have been liberated from the guilt and power of sin, and made suitable to be partakers of a glorious inheritance (Col 1:12). In them, the purpose of God is being fulfilled–a purpose so vast and rich it cannot be imagined or contrived by the most prodigious of our race.
THINK of it! These riches include fallen people being "conformed to the image" of God's Son (Rom 8:29). By Divine intention, they are made "partakers of the Divine nature," and are the residing place for His Holy Spirit (2 Pet 1:4; Gal 4:6). They have been given everything pertaining to life and godliness (2 Pet 1:3), and are scheduled to judge both men and angels (1 Cor 6:2-3). God has determined to give them the "world to come," over which they will preside with Jesus as "joint heirs" (Heb 2:5-6; Rev 3:21; Rom 8:17). These people, once deceived and defeated by the devil, are the ultimate dwelling place for God Himself (Eph 2:20; Rev 21:3). And all of that is but the introduction to these riches. In every sense of the word, they are "unsearchable."
– Given O. Blakely
THERE is a magnitude in salvation that causes it to remain fresh and challenging to the redeemed. In Christ Jesus, God has provided "riches" that surpass any human conception or perception. Throughout history, men have struggled with small views of God and His great salvation. These struggles are temptations hurled at us by the devil. He knows if we view what God has given us as either small or unattainable, we will not extend ourselves to appropriate those things. How marvelous that faith equips us to deal with these temptations to think small.
THE details of our salvation, or the provisions brought to us in Christ, are called "the unsearchable riches of Christ." They are heavenly treasures men may possess, handle, and enjoy. These "riches" are not the remarkable experiences we enjoy, like joy, peace, understanding, etc. They are more lofty than human experience, as precious as that is. Here the Spirit is referring to the plans and purposes of God – His gracious intentions for mankind. It is what He purposed to do through Jesus Christ in a world blasted by sin, and among a people found in a condemned and hopeless state. Such a challenge is worthy of our God!
WE are talking about a purpose so lofty that holy angels cannot investigate, analyze, or comprehend it. As it is written, the prophets "did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into" (1 Pet 1:12). When they peer into this purpose, as revealed through the Gospel, their wisdom withers, and their comprehension becomes impotent. What is more, God has made no effort to personally explain it to them, even though they remain in His presence, are undefiled, and excel in both wisdom and strength. They cannot learn about it directly. The riches are "unsearchable" – even to angels, to say nothing of men.
NOW, however, these "unsearchable riches" are being made known to "principalities and powers in heavenly places" through "the church." (verse 10). This body of people consists of Jews and Gentiles that have been liberated from the guilt and power of sin, and made suitable to be partakers of a glorious inheritance (Col 1:12). In them, the purpose of God is being fulfilled–a purpose so vast and rich it cannot be imagined or contrived by the most prodigious of our race.
THINK of it! These riches include fallen people being "conformed to the image" of God's Son (Rom 8:29). By Divine intention, they are made "partakers of the Divine nature," and are the residing place for His Holy Spirit (2 Pet 1:4; Gal 4:6). They have been given everything pertaining to life and godliness (2 Pet 1:3), and are scheduled to judge both men and angels (1 Cor 6:2-3). God has determined to give them the "world to come," over which they will preside with Jesus as "joint heirs" (Heb 2:5-6; Rev 3:21; Rom 8:17). These people, once deceived and defeated by the devil, are the ultimate dwelling place for God Himself (Eph 2:20; Rev 21:3). And all of that is but the introduction to these riches. In every sense of the word, they are "unsearchable."
– Given O. Blakely
Friday, May 22, 2009
TOO SMALL! TOO SMALL!
"Indeed He says, 'It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, that You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth." (Isaiah 49:6, NKJV)
SALVATION is an exceedingly large thing. What God has determined in Christ is momentous. What He offers in Him is extensive. While many tritely say Jesus would have come into the world "even if I was the only one," such a notion reflects neither the nature of God nor the disclosure of His mind. Nowhere is salvation so represented. Consistently it is declared to be "for the whole world," and that it is!
FROM the time of Abraham, the Lord restricted His dealings to a single body of people – Abraham's fleshly offspring. To them belonged "the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises," together with "the fathers" (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob), and the lineage of the coming Savior (Rom 9:4-5). When the Savior would come into the world, He would "come unto His own" people, in fulfillment of the ancient promises.
YET, because of the extensive nature of salvation, the prophets unveiled it would not be confined to the Jews. In one of the most insightful views of Scripture, the Spirit affirmed through Isaiah that giving "the tribes of Jacob" to Jesus was "too small a thing." The greatness of His vicarious atonement required a greater gift than that! His hard temptations, exposure to the powers of darkness, and obedience to the death of the cross compelled more of a reward than that! Even though the "tribes of Jacob" had been cultured to receive the Savior, they were "too small" to duly honor the glorious sacrifice He would make. The Lord would also make His Lamb a "light for the Gentiles," that He might bring God's salvation "to the ends of the earth" (NIV).
IN my judgment, the modern church could do with a much larger vision of "so great a salvation" as is found in Christ Jesus (Heb 2:3). There is far too much unenlightened talk about Christ coming into the world and dying for sin. I am afraid many view it as a sort of quick fix to the human condition. But it is anything but that! Before Christ came into the world – in fact, before there was a world – a determination was made that He would have to die. That is why He is called "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" (Rev 13:8). In His redemptive capacity of "a Lamb without blemish and without spot," Jesus was "foreordained before the foundation of the world" (1 Pet 1:19-20).
IN that regard, the magnitude of our Lord's sacrifice, and the willingness with which He embraced the purpose of God, provoked the Divine utterance: "It is too small a thing for you to be My Servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept" (NIV). If that is true of a nation cultured by Deity for the coming Messiah, it is much more true of the organizations conceived and perpetrated by men – to say nothing of a solitary individual.
BOTH those who view their "church" as spiritually elite, and those who imagine Christ would have died for them even if they were the only one requiring it, make the atonement a small thing, indeed. But it is NOT small. This is a large salvation, extending as far as the curse, and reaching to the extremities of human guilt. Once this is perceived, men will throw themselves more fully into the work of the Lord. Let us have done with thoughtless and faddish sayings. They are uncomely, and ought not be found in our mouths.
– Given O. Blakely
SALVATION is an exceedingly large thing. What God has determined in Christ is momentous. What He offers in Him is extensive. While many tritely say Jesus would have come into the world "even if I was the only one," such a notion reflects neither the nature of God nor the disclosure of His mind. Nowhere is salvation so represented. Consistently it is declared to be "for the whole world," and that it is!
FROM the time of Abraham, the Lord restricted His dealings to a single body of people – Abraham's fleshly offspring. To them belonged "the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises," together with "the fathers" (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob), and the lineage of the coming Savior (Rom 9:4-5). When the Savior would come into the world, He would "come unto His own" people, in fulfillment of the ancient promises.
YET, because of the extensive nature of salvation, the prophets unveiled it would not be confined to the Jews. In one of the most insightful views of Scripture, the Spirit affirmed through Isaiah that giving "the tribes of Jacob" to Jesus was "too small a thing." The greatness of His vicarious atonement required a greater gift than that! His hard temptations, exposure to the powers of darkness, and obedience to the death of the cross compelled more of a reward than that! Even though the "tribes of Jacob" had been cultured to receive the Savior, they were "too small" to duly honor the glorious sacrifice He would make. The Lord would also make His Lamb a "light for the Gentiles," that He might bring God's salvation "to the ends of the earth" (NIV).
IN my judgment, the modern church could do with a much larger vision of "so great a salvation" as is found in Christ Jesus (Heb 2:3). There is far too much unenlightened talk about Christ coming into the world and dying for sin. I am afraid many view it as a sort of quick fix to the human condition. But it is anything but that! Before Christ came into the world – in fact, before there was a world – a determination was made that He would have to die. That is why He is called "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" (Rev 13:8). In His redemptive capacity of "a Lamb without blemish and without spot," Jesus was "foreordained before the foundation of the world" (1 Pet 1:19-20).
IN that regard, the magnitude of our Lord's sacrifice, and the willingness with which He embraced the purpose of God, provoked the Divine utterance: "It is too small a thing for you to be My Servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept" (NIV). If that is true of a nation cultured by Deity for the coming Messiah, it is much more true of the organizations conceived and perpetrated by men – to say nothing of a solitary individual.
BOTH those who view their "church" as spiritually elite, and those who imagine Christ would have died for them even if they were the only one requiring it, make the atonement a small thing, indeed. But it is NOT small. This is a large salvation, extending as far as the curse, and reaching to the extremities of human guilt. Once this is perceived, men will throw themselves more fully into the work of the Lord. Let us have done with thoughtless and faddish sayings. They are uncomely, and ought not be found in our mouths.
– Given O. Blakely
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