"Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." (Hebrews 13:20-21)
PAUL PRAYS THAT THE FATHER, working through the Good Shepherd Jesus Christ, will "make you perfect in every good work to do His will." Other versions read, "make you complete in every good work" (NKJV), and "equip you with everything good for doing His will" (NIV). Where spiritual maturity and involvement in the good will of God is found, the "great Shepherd" has been leading. That is the evidence of His activity!
WHERE SPIRITUAL JUVENILENESS and a lack of involvement in God's will are found in professed believers, only three conditions are possible. First, in such a case, it is possible that the person has never been born again, and thus has not been able to see or enter the kingdom of God (John 3:3,5). Second, the individual may be a new convert, in which case this prayer is in order. Third, such a person may actually have been born again, but through quenching and grieving the Holy Spirit, has become obstinate and spiritually ignorant. For whatever reason, it is never acceptable to be in a condition that is not advancing toward being perfect in every good work.
MARK IT WELL, the "great Shepherd of the sheep" is engaged in bringing His people to maturity, perfecting them "in every good work." His objective is to involve us in the "good and acceptable, and perfect will of God," so that we become "laborers together with God" (1 Cor 3:9).
JESUS WARNED ONE OF THE EARLY CHURCHES, "for I have not found thy works perfect before God" (Rev 3:2). This is an unacceptable condition because God is able to make us perfect in every good work through Jesus Christ. That is one of the reasons He gave Him to us in the capacity of a "great Shepherd."
THE WORD "PERFECT" comes from a word which means "to complete thoroughly . . . perfect . . . prepare, restore" (Strong's). For example, a "perfect" fruit is one that has been brought to full maturity, and is suitable for consumption. From another view, "perfect health" is a condition in which disease and debility are not found.
AN IMPERFECT WORK is one that comes short of the Divine requirement. It misses the mark, and is like an aborted child. It is not recognized by God because it does not comport with His objectives. A "perfect" work is one that meets the Divine objective. It pleases the Lord because it harmonizes with His purpose, and is thus accepted by Him. God is not glorified by flawed, juvenile, and partial works, or by perpetual simplicity and juvenility.
GOD IS ABLE TO MAKE every human expression measure up to His expectations! He accomplishes this through the "great Shepherd of the sheep," not rules or procedures. If our works are not "perfect," we cannot excuse ourselves on the basis of our humanity. God has provided the Shepherd to lead us out of the infirmities of humanity into the strength of the Lord, and the power of His might.
PLEASING TO GOD
God the Father, through the "great Shepherd of the sheep," works within us things that are pleasing to Him. Although we enjoy the things of God, the primary purpose of these works is not our pleasure, but His! It is essential that this be comprehended in a time when personal advantage is heavily promoted in religious circles. There is, of course, no greater personal advantage than being under the care of the "great Shepherd of the sheep." However, we must ever keep in mind that our benefit flows from our involvement with God and the promotion of His glory. Our benefit is never an end of itself.
I FIND AN INTOLERABLE trend developing in the Christian community. There is altogether too much talk about "fun" and having an enjoyable time. No one of sound mind will oppose having an enjoyable time, but everyone should oppose this being a primary objective. Whole assemblies are orchestrated today to accommodate the pleasure of the people. What is more, those who do not measure up to the lusts of the people are judged as unworthy of attention. All of this may seem quite bearable, but God is not well pleased with it. God's attitude toward our works commends or condemns them, regardless of the response of our peers. If something is not pleasing in His sight, any other pleasure is inconsequential.
WHEN WE WERE GIVEN a Shepherd – a "great Shepherd" – we were given One who will lead us to do what is "well pleasing" to God. Therefore, our gatherings must welcome the "great Shepherd of the sheep" to work in this manner while we are assembled together. Our mindfulness and care for one another must be within the context of our preoccupation with Jesus Himself.
– Given O. Blakely
Friday, November 19, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
A BETTER COVENANT
"But now hath He obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also Be is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises." (Heb 8:6)
THE NEW COVENANT IS GLORIOUS. It is established upon "better promises" (Heb 8:6) and yields a better harvest. There is a general lack of awareness of the uniqueness of the New Covenant. I regularly hear teachers and preachers address the people of God as though they were like the recalcitrant Israelites of old. Hearty nods of approval follow the expression of such persuasions. The assumption that those in Christ operate with the same limitations as those under the Old Covenant is altogether false! There is no truth in such assertions. In Christ Jesus, and under the New Covenant, we are in a new and better situation. We have a "better covenant."
THE PROPHETS MADE IT CLEAR that a new era was going to be inducted. It would be one marked by transformation. Willingness and obedience would characterize that time. Obstinance and disobedience would find no place in the New Covenant. Hear the Word of the Lord! "Moreover, the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, so that you will love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, in order that you may live" (Deut 30:6). "And I will make an everlasting covenant with them that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; and I will put the fear of Me in their hearts so that they will not turn away from Me" (Jeremiah 32:40, NASB). "I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be My people, and I will be their God" (Ezek 11:19-20, NIV). "My servant David shall be king over them; and they shall all have one shepherd. They shall follow my ordinances and be careful to observe my statutes" (Ezek 37:24, NRSV). " . . . for they shall all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the LORD" (Jer 31:34). "I will give them a heart to know that I am the LORD; and they shall be my people and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart" (Jer 24:7). "I will put my spirit within you, and make you follow my statutes and be careful to observe my ordinances" (Ezek 36:27). "At that time I will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech, that all of them may call on the name of the LORD and serve him with one accord" (Zeph 3:9).
THESE ARE NOT EXPRESSIONS OF MERE DESIRE, or the statement of an ideal or goal for which men are to strive. These are promises of what God had determined to occur. They describe the effects of the new birth. They depict the result of being justified. They set before our minds the impact of being sanctified. They shout to us of the superiority of the New Covenant. If some imagine that these have no reference to the New Covenant, let them think again! Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law and the prophets. That is what He came to do (Matt 5:17). These promises, therefore, find their fulfillment in the Lord Jesus Christ and the New Covenant that He is presently mediating.
JESUS FULFILLED THE LAW by embodying all of the types and figures contained in it, as well as perfectly obeying its moral code. He at once became the Lamb, Altar, and High Priest. He is the Deliverer, Builder, and holy Habitation. He made the sacrifice and Himself was the sacrifice. He was the slain goat and the one taken into the wilderness. He is the Deliverer and Lawgiver, the Means of cleansing and the way of Divine direction. Everything in the Law and the Prophets pointed to Him!
JESUS FULFILLED THE PROPHETS by authoring, or causing, all of the changes of which they prophesied. They spoke of His sufferings and glory (1 Pet 1:11). His "sufferings" related to the expiation of sin and the reconciliation of sinners to God. The "glory" has to do with the impact of His salvation upon the hearts and lives of people. It is the effect of His salvation. The change of heart, the presence of willingness, and the preference of holiness all take place in Him. Waywardness is no longer the manner of the people of God! Where waywardness is found, unbelief is present. We have a "better covenant," and it has produced better results. In fact, those results are the undeniable confirmation that it is, in fact, a "better covenant."
TO FURTHER ILLUSTRATE this grand truth, John wrote, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). NOTICE: he does not say "when we sin," but "IF we sin." Sin is the exception, not the rule, in the New Covenant! Those in Christ do not have a basic propensity to sin, but a secondary one. The "law of sin" is "another law" that is resident in their "members" (Rom 7:20-23), not the primary one. It is not representative of their primary persons in general, or their "new man" in particular.
– Given O. Blakely
THE NEW COVENANT IS GLORIOUS. It is established upon "better promises" (Heb 8:6) and yields a better harvest. There is a general lack of awareness of the uniqueness of the New Covenant. I regularly hear teachers and preachers address the people of God as though they were like the recalcitrant Israelites of old. Hearty nods of approval follow the expression of such persuasions. The assumption that those in Christ operate with the same limitations as those under the Old Covenant is altogether false! There is no truth in such assertions. In Christ Jesus, and under the New Covenant, we are in a new and better situation. We have a "better covenant."
THE PROPHETS MADE IT CLEAR that a new era was going to be inducted. It would be one marked by transformation. Willingness and obedience would characterize that time. Obstinance and disobedience would find no place in the New Covenant. Hear the Word of the Lord! "Moreover, the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, so that you will love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, in order that you may live" (Deut 30:6). "And I will make an everlasting covenant with them that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; and I will put the fear of Me in their hearts so that they will not turn away from Me" (Jeremiah 32:40, NASB). "I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be My people, and I will be their God" (Ezek 11:19-20, NIV). "My servant David shall be king over them; and they shall all have one shepherd. They shall follow my ordinances and be careful to observe my statutes" (Ezek 37:24, NRSV). " . . . for they shall all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the LORD" (Jer 31:34). "I will give them a heart to know that I am the LORD; and they shall be my people and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart" (Jer 24:7). "I will put my spirit within you, and make you follow my statutes and be careful to observe my ordinances" (Ezek 36:27). "At that time I will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech, that all of them may call on the name of the LORD and serve him with one accord" (Zeph 3:9).
THESE ARE NOT EXPRESSIONS OF MERE DESIRE, or the statement of an ideal or goal for which men are to strive. These are promises of what God had determined to occur. They describe the effects of the new birth. They depict the result of being justified. They set before our minds the impact of being sanctified. They shout to us of the superiority of the New Covenant. If some imagine that these have no reference to the New Covenant, let them think again! Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law and the prophets. That is what He came to do (Matt 5:17). These promises, therefore, find their fulfillment in the Lord Jesus Christ and the New Covenant that He is presently mediating.
JESUS FULFILLED THE LAW by embodying all of the types and figures contained in it, as well as perfectly obeying its moral code. He at once became the Lamb, Altar, and High Priest. He is the Deliverer, Builder, and holy Habitation. He made the sacrifice and Himself was the sacrifice. He was the slain goat and the one taken into the wilderness. He is the Deliverer and Lawgiver, the Means of cleansing and the way of Divine direction. Everything in the Law and the Prophets pointed to Him!
JESUS FULFILLED THE PROPHETS by authoring, or causing, all of the changes of which they prophesied. They spoke of His sufferings and glory (1 Pet 1:11). His "sufferings" related to the expiation of sin and the reconciliation of sinners to God. The "glory" has to do with the impact of His salvation upon the hearts and lives of people. It is the effect of His salvation. The change of heart, the presence of willingness, and the preference of holiness all take place in Him. Waywardness is no longer the manner of the people of God! Where waywardness is found, unbelief is present. We have a "better covenant," and it has produced better results. In fact, those results are the undeniable confirmation that it is, in fact, a "better covenant."
TO FURTHER ILLUSTRATE this grand truth, John wrote, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). NOTICE: he does not say "when we sin," but "IF we sin." Sin is the exception, not the rule, in the New Covenant! Those in Christ do not have a basic propensity to sin, but a secondary one. The "law of sin" is "another law" that is resident in their "members" (Rom 7:20-23), not the primary one. It is not representative of their primary persons in general, or their "new man" in particular.
– Given O. Blakely
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
A PRINCIPLE
"If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us." (2 Tim 2:12)
THE PATH TO GLORY through the valley of suffering. It is only as we "suffer with Him," or to that exact degree, that we will "reign with Him." That is the solemn announcement of this text. If men can receive it, and not pervert it, suffering enables us to be "worthy of the kingdom of God," for which they suffer – that is the express statement of Scripture (2 Thess 1:5). This is the perspective that prompted the Apostles to rejoice when they were harshly punished for preaching the Gospel. "So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name" (Acts 5:41). They associated suffering here with reigning there, and it proved to be a most happy prospect.
OUR LORD JESUS referred to this principle when He said, "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you" (Matt 5:10-12). Let those who are oppressed because of their faith be courageous and bold. They are being tested. Their faith is being refined. They are actually being suited for a glorious future. Their suffering can become the means through which they obtain their reward in heaven.
LOOKING AT THIS PRINCIPLE from another perspective, we can see the righteousness of God. We are apprized that at the judgement, the saved will inherit the Kingdom prepared for them from the "foundation of the world" (Matt 25:34). Peter affirms that the inheritance is reserved for us in heaven, and is not fading away (1 Pet 1:4). That inheritance, however, will not be given indiscriminately. It has been purchased at great price, and men must be suited and prepared for it. When you suffer for righteousness sake, or are put through difficult and painful tests, you must reason in this manner. "I have a great inheritance reserved for me in heaven. The Lord has given me these difficult times in order that I may qualify for the prize." Some will view this as glorifying works, but it is not so. Suffering is not a work, it is a fellowship – the "fellowship of His sufferings" (Phil 3:10)! It is not something we achieve, but something we endure. Sufferings are not something we accomplish, but are evidence of something God is accomplishing.
THIS TRUTH SHEDS LIGHT on a remarkable word from the Spirit. "Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ" (Col 1:24). There is no justifying power in the sufferings we experience "for righteousness sake," nor are they the subject of the prophecies of old (1 Pet 1:11). These are sufferings "left behind" – a residue, as it were, which allows us to fellowship more deeply with Christ. There is a unity realized with Christ in such suffering than cannot be accomplished in any other way.
THIS TYPE OF SUFFERING leads to reward. Once this facet of spiritual life is seen, holy resolution grips the soul. How wonderfully Paul expressed it. "I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death" (Phil 3:10, NIV). Jesus suffered because He was not of this world. He came to this world, but He was never a part of it. To His critics Jesus said, "Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world" (John 8:23). This circumstance was the root from which all opposition to Christ sprang.
THE WORLD OPPOSES the people of God because it senses they are of another order. They cannot fully explain that circumstance, but they can sense it. As our Lord said, "If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. It is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you" NIV (John 15:19). Whether intentional or otherwise, the course of this world chaffs against the spirit of the redeemed, and the saved are irritating to the world. For believers, the world is like a contrary wind that makes it difficult to row to a distant shore (Mark 6:48).
OFTEN THE ENVIRONMENT of the world and flesh becomes like the burning fiery furnace to the three Hebrew children. It puts us to the test, revealing our true character. Scripture informs us that enduring these tests results in the development of godly character (Rom 5:3-4). True character is not developed by mere discipline, but by opposition, stress, and difficulty. Fortitude, or endurance, is matured in the crucible of hardship! Thus we become acquainted with the principle of suffering.
– Given O. Blakely
THE PATH TO GLORY through the valley of suffering. It is only as we "suffer with Him," or to that exact degree, that we will "reign with Him." That is the solemn announcement of this text. If men can receive it, and not pervert it, suffering enables us to be "worthy of the kingdom of God," for which they suffer – that is the express statement of Scripture (2 Thess 1:5). This is the perspective that prompted the Apostles to rejoice when they were harshly punished for preaching the Gospel. "So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name" (Acts 5:41). They associated suffering here with reigning there, and it proved to be a most happy prospect.
OUR LORD JESUS referred to this principle when He said, "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you" (Matt 5:10-12). Let those who are oppressed because of their faith be courageous and bold. They are being tested. Their faith is being refined. They are actually being suited for a glorious future. Their suffering can become the means through which they obtain their reward in heaven.
LOOKING AT THIS PRINCIPLE from another perspective, we can see the righteousness of God. We are apprized that at the judgement, the saved will inherit the Kingdom prepared for them from the "foundation of the world" (Matt 25:34). Peter affirms that the inheritance is reserved for us in heaven, and is not fading away (1 Pet 1:4). That inheritance, however, will not be given indiscriminately. It has been purchased at great price, and men must be suited and prepared for it. When you suffer for righteousness sake, or are put through difficult and painful tests, you must reason in this manner. "I have a great inheritance reserved for me in heaven. The Lord has given me these difficult times in order that I may qualify for the prize." Some will view this as glorifying works, but it is not so. Suffering is not a work, it is a fellowship – the "fellowship of His sufferings" (Phil 3:10)! It is not something we achieve, but something we endure. Sufferings are not something we accomplish, but are evidence of something God is accomplishing.
THIS TRUTH SHEDS LIGHT on a remarkable word from the Spirit. "Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ" (Col 1:24). There is no justifying power in the sufferings we experience "for righteousness sake," nor are they the subject of the prophecies of old (1 Pet 1:11). These are sufferings "left behind" – a residue, as it were, which allows us to fellowship more deeply with Christ. There is a unity realized with Christ in such suffering than cannot be accomplished in any other way.
THIS TYPE OF SUFFERING leads to reward. Once this facet of spiritual life is seen, holy resolution grips the soul. How wonderfully Paul expressed it. "I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death" (Phil 3:10, NIV). Jesus suffered because He was not of this world. He came to this world, but He was never a part of it. To His critics Jesus said, "Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world" (John 8:23). This circumstance was the root from which all opposition to Christ sprang.
THE WORLD OPPOSES the people of God because it senses they are of another order. They cannot fully explain that circumstance, but they can sense it. As our Lord said, "If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. It is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you" NIV (John 15:19). Whether intentional or otherwise, the course of this world chaffs against the spirit of the redeemed, and the saved are irritating to the world. For believers, the world is like a contrary wind that makes it difficult to row to a distant shore (Mark 6:48).
OFTEN THE ENVIRONMENT of the world and flesh becomes like the burning fiery furnace to the three Hebrew children. It puts us to the test, revealing our true character. Scripture informs us that enduring these tests results in the development of godly character (Rom 5:3-4). True character is not developed by mere discipline, but by opposition, stress, and difficulty. Fortitude, or endurance, is matured in the crucible of hardship! Thus we become acquainted with the principle of suffering.
– Given O. Blakely
Monday, November 8, 2010
DELIVERANCE FROM MEN
"Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith." (2 Thessalonians 3:1-2)
THERE ARE TWO SIDES to the coin of this requested prayer. First, that the message that is proclaimed will be quickly received and spread rapidly. Secondly, that opposing forces will be decidedly neutralized, and rendered ineffective. God has chosen to work salvation in the midst of Satan's empire, for he is "the god of this world" and the "prince of this world" (2 Cor 4:4; John 14:30). The "whole world," we are told, "is under the control of the evil one" (1 John 5:19, NIV). That "control," however, is not the ultimate control. It has been given to Satan by God, and God can take it from him, frustrating his most cunning plans and powerful influences, and effectively limiting the scope of his efforts.
THIS TEXT SPEAKS OF those who are working for the wicked one – those who have been deceived by him, who are taken captive by him at his will (2 Tim 2:26). Some of them are powerful political entities, like Pharaoh, Herod, and the Caesars. Others employed by the devil are religious officials, like Caiaphas, the Sanhedrin, and rulers of the Jews. Some are religious zealots who group together for the purpose of restraining the Gospel of Christ, like "certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium," who provoked the stoning of Paul (Acts 14:19), and "certain Jews from Asia," who tried to stop the spread of the Gospel in Jerusalem (Acts 21:27-28).
ONE ONLY HAS TO PONDER the words of this text to catch a glimpse of the complexity of the Kingdom into which we have been translated (Col 1:13). Here is the powerful Word of God, sent and empowered by Him, restrained by wicked men! The restraint is of such a nature that it requires Divine deliverance All of this is by God's own arrangement.
DELIVERED
The presence of these men is so significant that it requires deliverance from God Almighty. They cannot be confronted in the energy of the flesh or carnal wisdom. They can be so aggressive that disciples will be forced to lower Paul over a wall in a basket to escape their malice (Acts 9:25). They can force the expulsion of Paul from the coasts of Antioch of Pisidia (Acts 13:50). Such men cannot be neutralized by human strategies. Divine deliverance is required! Elsewhere Paul referred to some "that do not believe in Judea," asking the saints to pray he would be delivered from them (Rom 15:31). The constant trouble to which Paul was exposed became occasions for deliverance. He testified, "But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us; Ye also helping together by prayer for us" (2 Cor 1:9-11). What a blessed privilege to "help" the work of God through our prayer, thereby bringing deliverance from enemies.
DO NOT MISS the glorious nature of the praying of reference. It is for the spreading of the Word itself, and for those who declare it as well. Blessed, indeed, are the people who see the breadth of prayer, and extend themselves to call for Divine intervention at every critical point. The message must spread, and those who declare it must be delivered.
UNREASONABLE MEN
Other versions read "perverse men" (NASB), "wicked men" (NIV), "foolish men" (BBE), and "bigoted people" (NJB). Such men are, in a sense, insane. Their thoughts are out of place and improper. They are actually a crime, for they are against the Lord. These men are also aggressive, and will go to any lengths to suppress what they do not understand.
WE LEARN FROM THIS that sound reason does not naturally triumph over foolishness. Men are not basically reasonable, and they are not turned to righteousness by mere logical approaches. Nor, indeed, can their foolish opposition be struck down by humanly conceived arguments. Those who carry the truth must be delivered from such men, for they are too foolish to withdraw from their aggressiveness against the Gospel.
WE ALSO LEARN THAT unbelief causes men to become foolish, and foolishness is promoted by unbelief. Additionally, the Gospel of Christ is an aggressive message that brings out the folly of unbelief, actually inciting the opposition of those with corrupted minds. Such men will seek to kill Jesus (John 7:1), imprison the bearers of good news (Acts 5:18), stone Stephen (Acts 7:58), stone Paul (Acts 14:19), and exile John (Rev 1:9).
WICKED MEN. The opponents of the Gospel are more than "unreasonable." They are also "wicked," or "evil" (NIV). Not only is their mind corrupted, their character is debased and perverted. They bare in their very persons the trait of the devil, who is "the wicked one" (Matt 13:19). Regardless of their outward appearance, their opposition of the Gospel reveals they are evil, corrupted by Satan, and unsuitable to stand before the Lord of glory. The word "wicked" means harmful and unprofitable, as well as evil and malicious. From the highest view, men lose all usefulness when they set themselves to restrain the proclamation of the Gospel of Christ. There is no more wicked person than the one who objects to the preaching and belief of the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ! Let us be faithful in praying for deliverance from such people.
– Given O. Blakely
THERE ARE TWO SIDES to the coin of this requested prayer. First, that the message that is proclaimed will be quickly received and spread rapidly. Secondly, that opposing forces will be decidedly neutralized, and rendered ineffective. God has chosen to work salvation in the midst of Satan's empire, for he is "the god of this world" and the "prince of this world" (2 Cor 4:4; John 14:30). The "whole world," we are told, "is under the control of the evil one" (1 John 5:19, NIV). That "control," however, is not the ultimate control. It has been given to Satan by God, and God can take it from him, frustrating his most cunning plans and powerful influences, and effectively limiting the scope of his efforts.
THIS TEXT SPEAKS OF those who are working for the wicked one – those who have been deceived by him, who are taken captive by him at his will (2 Tim 2:26). Some of them are powerful political entities, like Pharaoh, Herod, and the Caesars. Others employed by the devil are religious officials, like Caiaphas, the Sanhedrin, and rulers of the Jews. Some are religious zealots who group together for the purpose of restraining the Gospel of Christ, like "certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium," who provoked the stoning of Paul (Acts 14:19), and "certain Jews from Asia," who tried to stop the spread of the Gospel in Jerusalem (Acts 21:27-28).
ONE ONLY HAS TO PONDER the words of this text to catch a glimpse of the complexity of the Kingdom into which we have been translated (Col 1:13). Here is the powerful Word of God, sent and empowered by Him, restrained by wicked men! The restraint is of such a nature that it requires Divine deliverance All of this is by God's own arrangement.
DELIVERED
The presence of these men is so significant that it requires deliverance from God Almighty. They cannot be confronted in the energy of the flesh or carnal wisdom. They can be so aggressive that disciples will be forced to lower Paul over a wall in a basket to escape their malice (Acts 9:25). They can force the expulsion of Paul from the coasts of Antioch of Pisidia (Acts 13:50). Such men cannot be neutralized by human strategies. Divine deliverance is required! Elsewhere Paul referred to some "that do not believe in Judea," asking the saints to pray he would be delivered from them (Rom 15:31). The constant trouble to which Paul was exposed became occasions for deliverance. He testified, "But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us; Ye also helping together by prayer for us" (2 Cor 1:9-11). What a blessed privilege to "help" the work of God through our prayer, thereby bringing deliverance from enemies.
DO NOT MISS the glorious nature of the praying of reference. It is for the spreading of the Word itself, and for those who declare it as well. Blessed, indeed, are the people who see the breadth of prayer, and extend themselves to call for Divine intervention at every critical point. The message must spread, and those who declare it must be delivered.
UNREASONABLE MEN
Other versions read "perverse men" (NASB), "wicked men" (NIV), "foolish men" (BBE), and "bigoted people" (NJB). Such men are, in a sense, insane. Their thoughts are out of place and improper. They are actually a crime, for they are against the Lord. These men are also aggressive, and will go to any lengths to suppress what they do not understand.
WE LEARN FROM THIS that sound reason does not naturally triumph over foolishness. Men are not basically reasonable, and they are not turned to righteousness by mere logical approaches. Nor, indeed, can their foolish opposition be struck down by humanly conceived arguments. Those who carry the truth must be delivered from such men, for they are too foolish to withdraw from their aggressiveness against the Gospel.
WE ALSO LEARN THAT unbelief causes men to become foolish, and foolishness is promoted by unbelief. Additionally, the Gospel of Christ is an aggressive message that brings out the folly of unbelief, actually inciting the opposition of those with corrupted minds. Such men will seek to kill Jesus (John 7:1), imprison the bearers of good news (Acts 5:18), stone Stephen (Acts 7:58), stone Paul (Acts 14:19), and exile John (Rev 1:9).
WICKED MEN. The opponents of the Gospel are more than "unreasonable." They are also "wicked," or "evil" (NIV). Not only is their mind corrupted, their character is debased and perverted. They bare in their very persons the trait of the devil, who is "the wicked one" (Matt 13:19). Regardless of their outward appearance, their opposition of the Gospel reveals they are evil, corrupted by Satan, and unsuitable to stand before the Lord of glory. The word "wicked" means harmful and unprofitable, as well as evil and malicious. From the highest view, men lose all usefulness when they set themselves to restrain the proclamation of the Gospel of Christ. There is no more wicked person than the one who objects to the preaching and belief of the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ! Let us be faithful in praying for deliverance from such people.
– Given O. Blakely
Friday, November 5, 2010
ALL DO NOT HAVE FAITH
"And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith." (2 Thessalonians 3:2)
OTHER VERSIONS READ, "for all men have not faith" (KJV), "for not everyone has faith" (NIV), and "for faith {is} not {the portion} of all" (DARBY). Here all men are divided into two categories: those who have faith, and those who do not. Notice the gracious way in which this is stated. The Spirit does not say, "only a few have faith." Nor, indeed, does He say, "most men do not have faith." He speaks in such a manner as to accentuate the blessing of having faith at all. By these words, He also explains why men seek to oppose the Gospel and restrain those who declare it. This is the condition requiring that we are to pray for the rapid and effectual spread of the Word of God, and for the deliverance of those who preach it from the hands of unreasonable and wicked men.
ALL MEN DO NOT HAVE FAITH! It is, therefore, the lack of faith that creates an environment of opposition.
THERE ARE A NUMBER OF modern day teachers who affirm that all men DO have faith – that it is a principle that is in all people by nature. This perverse doctrine says that faith is released by the individual when they choose to believe, thereby enabling them to take hold of the things of God and do great exploits. This is aggressively taught by the "health and wealth" exponents, and is more widespread than one dares to imagine. It is based upon the statement of Romans 12:3: " . . . God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." However, that text is not speaking of every man in the world, but of every man who is in Christ Jesus – particularly, who is in the body of Christ. The point is that every member of the body of Christ has been equipped with the ability to edify the saints (Rom 12:3-8). As the text says, ""For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you [believers] . . ." The same language, i.e., "every man," is frequently used to identify all who are in Christ Jesus (Rom 14:5; 1 Cor 3:5.8,10; 4:5; 2 Cor 9:7; Gal 6:4; Eph 4:25; Phil 2:4; 1 Pet 4:10; 1 John 3:3).
OUR TEXT DECLARES that "not all have faith" (NASB). There is, then, no question about faith NOT being resident in men by nature. It is not something that Adam passed to his progeny. Only a modicum of intelligence is required to confirm this is the case. Think of what is said of faith, and see for yourself that it is NOT in every mortal. The "just live by faith" (Rom 1:17). The righteousness of God is received by faith (Rom 3:22). We are "justified by faith" (Rom 3:28; 5:1). We have access to the grace of God by faith (Rom 5:2). We stand by faith (Rom 11:20; 2 Cor 1:24). We receive the promise of God by faith (Gal 3:22). We are children of God by faith (Gal 3:26). We wait for the hope of righteousness by faith (Gal 5:5). Christ dwells in our hearts by faith (Eph 3:17). If everyone has faith, then all of these benefits can be found in them – which thought is utterly insane. All men do NOT have faith. Faith is not "released," as these false teachers affirm. It is rather "obtained" (2 Pet 1:1), or "comes" (Rom 10:17; Gal 3:20,23).
THIS TEACHING SHOWS US that those who do not have the glorious benefits mentioned are prone to oppose the Gospel. The only difference in such people is the degree to which they oppose and reject it. Our text refers specifically to those who are determined to stop the spread of the Gospel. These are individuals whose unbelief has flooded their hearts, causing them to become unusually calloused toward the Gospel.
FAITH COMES FROM GODI never tire of being reminded that faith comes to us from God – that is why all men do not have it. Bear with me while I once again cite these marvelous passages, which were so long hidden from my understanding. "Faith comes . . . " (Rom 10:17; Gal 3:23). "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ . . . to believe on Him" (Phil 1:29). "Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, who by [through] Him do believe in God" (1 Pet 1:20-21). "Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" (Eph 6:23). " . . . who [Apollos], when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace" (Acts 18:27). "And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus" (1 Tim 1:14).
HOW COULD THE MARVELOUS BENEFITS received by faith be attributed to something that is in us by nature and "released" at our will. How could it be possible for the natural man, by an exercise of the intellect, to appropriate such things. If such a thing is possible, in what sense has man sinned and come short of the glory of God. Why is it necessary to save men at all if they possess such an effective aptitude. It should be abundantly clear to us: "all men HAVE NOT faith!"
IN OUR TEXT BELIEVERS to join in prayer for the rapid spread of the Word, that the it might be glorified, and that its proclaimers may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men. This type of prayer is for kings and priests. It is a means by which we presently reign with Christ Jesus. This is a proper means of deploying Divine power, and we must enter aggressively into it. Do not imagine that the spread of the Word and the deliverance of those who proclaim it will all happen without our involvement. We have not been called into a Kingdom that operates in that manner. Our new hearts, spirits, and minds have been given to us for participation in the wonderful working of the Lord.
– Given O. Blakely
OTHER VERSIONS READ, "for all men have not faith" (KJV), "for not everyone has faith" (NIV), and "for faith {is} not {the portion} of all" (DARBY). Here all men are divided into two categories: those who have faith, and those who do not. Notice the gracious way in which this is stated. The Spirit does not say, "only a few have faith." Nor, indeed, does He say, "most men do not have faith." He speaks in such a manner as to accentuate the blessing of having faith at all. By these words, He also explains why men seek to oppose the Gospel and restrain those who declare it. This is the condition requiring that we are to pray for the rapid and effectual spread of the Word of God, and for the deliverance of those who preach it from the hands of unreasonable and wicked men.
ALL MEN DO NOT HAVE FAITH! It is, therefore, the lack of faith that creates an environment of opposition.
THERE ARE A NUMBER OF modern day teachers who affirm that all men DO have faith – that it is a principle that is in all people by nature. This perverse doctrine says that faith is released by the individual when they choose to believe, thereby enabling them to take hold of the things of God and do great exploits. This is aggressively taught by the "health and wealth" exponents, and is more widespread than one dares to imagine. It is based upon the statement of Romans 12:3: " . . . God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." However, that text is not speaking of every man in the world, but of every man who is in Christ Jesus – particularly, who is in the body of Christ. The point is that every member of the body of Christ has been equipped with the ability to edify the saints (Rom 12:3-8). As the text says, ""For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you [believers] . . ." The same language, i.e., "every man," is frequently used to identify all who are in Christ Jesus (Rom 14:5; 1 Cor 3:5.8,10; 4:5; 2 Cor 9:7; Gal 6:4; Eph 4:25; Phil 2:4; 1 Pet 4:10; 1 John 3:3).
OUR TEXT DECLARES that "not all have faith" (NASB). There is, then, no question about faith NOT being resident in men by nature. It is not something that Adam passed to his progeny. Only a modicum of intelligence is required to confirm this is the case. Think of what is said of faith, and see for yourself that it is NOT in every mortal. The "just live by faith" (Rom 1:17). The righteousness of God is received by faith (Rom 3:22). We are "justified by faith" (Rom 3:28; 5:1). We have access to the grace of God by faith (Rom 5:2). We stand by faith (Rom 11:20; 2 Cor 1:24). We receive the promise of God by faith (Gal 3:22). We are children of God by faith (Gal 3:26). We wait for the hope of righteousness by faith (Gal 5:5). Christ dwells in our hearts by faith (Eph 3:17). If everyone has faith, then all of these benefits can be found in them – which thought is utterly insane. All men do NOT have faith. Faith is not "released," as these false teachers affirm. It is rather "obtained" (2 Pet 1:1), or "comes" (Rom 10:17; Gal 3:20,23).
THIS TEACHING SHOWS US that those who do not have the glorious benefits mentioned are prone to oppose the Gospel. The only difference in such people is the degree to which they oppose and reject it. Our text refers specifically to those who are determined to stop the spread of the Gospel. These are individuals whose unbelief has flooded their hearts, causing them to become unusually calloused toward the Gospel.
FAITH COMES FROM GODI never tire of being reminded that faith comes to us from God – that is why all men do not have it. Bear with me while I once again cite these marvelous passages, which were so long hidden from my understanding. "Faith comes . . . " (Rom 10:17; Gal 3:23). "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ . . . to believe on Him" (Phil 1:29). "Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, who by [through] Him do believe in God" (1 Pet 1:20-21). "Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" (Eph 6:23). " . . . who [Apollos], when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace" (Acts 18:27). "And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus" (1 Tim 1:14).
HOW COULD THE MARVELOUS BENEFITS received by faith be attributed to something that is in us by nature and "released" at our will. How could it be possible for the natural man, by an exercise of the intellect, to appropriate such things. If such a thing is possible, in what sense has man sinned and come short of the glory of God. Why is it necessary to save men at all if they possess such an effective aptitude. It should be abundantly clear to us: "all men HAVE NOT faith!"
IN OUR TEXT BELIEVERS to join in prayer for the rapid spread of the Word, that the it might be glorified, and that its proclaimers may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men. This type of prayer is for kings and priests. It is a means by which we presently reign with Christ Jesus. This is a proper means of deploying Divine power, and we must enter aggressively into it. Do not imagine that the spread of the Word and the deliverance of those who proclaim it will all happen without our involvement. We have not been called into a Kingdom that operates in that manner. Our new hearts, spirits, and minds have been given to us for participation in the wonderful working of the Lord.
– Given O. Blakely
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
POWER OVER ALL FLESH
"As Thou hast given Him power over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as Thou hast given Him" (John 17:2)
THE LORD JESUS is not anticipating authority over the entire human race when He comes again; He already has it! If this does not comport with appearance, we must believe it anyway! It is a matter of revelation. God has given Jesus power, or authority, over all flesh. It makes little difference whether it is political flesh, religious flesh, wealthy flesh, or common flesh. Christ has power over it all.
FOLLOWING HIS RESURRECTION, Jesus announced to His apostles that "all authority" had been "given unto" Him in heaven and on earth (Matt 28:18). That is all the authority there is. This is not authority He is expecting to receive, but authority He has already received. He has all authority in heaven! Nothing comes from heaven to earth without His approval. Nothing is received in heaven from earth without the recognition of Him. God looks at the world through Jesus. He has all authority in heaven! The angels are at His beck and call! The Holy Spirit is given because of Him, by Him, and in order to illuminate Him to the hearts of men.
HE HAS ALL AUTHORITY IN EARTHNothing can transpire in this world without His authority. No circumstance occurs in this realm without His approval. He is the King of kings, and the Lord of lords! He is the "Governor among the nations" (Psa 22:28). Ultimately, the affairs of men are not determined by vote or by the imposition of powerful individuals. Daniel prophesied to king Nebuchadnezzar "to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will, and setteth up over it the basest of men" (Dan 4:17).
WHAT IS THE divine intent behind Jesus receiving "power over all flesh?" It is not for managing a visible government in this world. Jesus reveals the purpose Himself. It is not made known in a discourse to men, but in a prayer to God. It is not prayed at a time of unusual blessing, but on the eve of His own cursing by God (Gal 3:13). Our Lord said these words in anticipation of the "glory that should follow" His vicarious death (1 Pet 1:11): "That He should give eternal life to as many as Thou hast given Him" (John 17:2). Note, the power was not given to Him to subdue His enemies – although will surely be done! His enemies will all bow at His feet.
THE MIGHTIEST DISPLAY of Divine power is not the subjugation of those aligned against God! Rather, it is giving eternal life to those that the Father has given to the Son. And what is involved in "giving eternal life to as many as" God has given to Him?
NOMINAL CHRISTENDOM has oversimplified the matter of salvation. Too often they equate it with shrewd evangelistic techniques, oratorical presentations, and disciplined procedures. God associates it with "power over all flesh!" It takes more than a little power to get people from earth to heaven; out of sin into righteousness; delivered from the power of darkness and translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son! Such dramatic results require "all power in heaven and on earth." The magnitude of salvation has simply not dawned upon the masses of professed believers. That is why they find is easy to entertain futuristic views of a reigning Christ.
OPENING THE DOOR OF FAITHFor 1,500 years, the Gentile nations had been cut off from God. Appropriately, they were described as "without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world" (Eph 2:12). How would people in such a hopeless condition come to have faith in God? They were the "heathen" God had pledged to give the Son for an "inheritance" (Psa 2:8). Nevertheless, they were dominated by the devil, enslaved to sin, and blinded. How could they ever be able to believe?
IF BELIEVING was difficult for the Jews, who had been cultured to do so by Moses and the prophets, what hope is there for the Gentiles? The "King of heaven" will open the door of faith to them. In spite of their addiction to idolatry and blindness to truth, they will be enabled to believe. "And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how HE HAD OPENED THE DOOR OF FAITH unto the Gentiles" (Acts 14:27). Jesus had been given power over all flesh, to give eternal life!
OPENING THE HEARTThe key of David can be used to open men's hearts! Once, it is recorded that the Lord opened a woman's heart so she could respond to the glorious Gospel proclaimed to her. "And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshiped God, heard us: WHOSE HEART THE LORD OPENED, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul" (Acts 16:14). As always, Satan attempted to blind the mind of Lydia, but He could not do it! She had a genuine interest in the words she heard, and Jesus saw to it that nothing hindered her from comprehending and responding to the truth of the Gospel. Nothing in Scripture suggests that this experience was uniquely confined to her.
YOUR OWN SALVATION, initially and in its completion, is owing to Jesus' power over all flesh.– Given O. Blakely
THE LORD JESUS is not anticipating authority over the entire human race when He comes again; He already has it! If this does not comport with appearance, we must believe it anyway! It is a matter of revelation. God has given Jesus power, or authority, over all flesh. It makes little difference whether it is political flesh, religious flesh, wealthy flesh, or common flesh. Christ has power over it all.
FOLLOWING HIS RESURRECTION, Jesus announced to His apostles that "all authority" had been "given unto" Him in heaven and on earth (Matt 28:18). That is all the authority there is. This is not authority He is expecting to receive, but authority He has already received. He has all authority in heaven! Nothing comes from heaven to earth without His approval. Nothing is received in heaven from earth without the recognition of Him. God looks at the world through Jesus. He has all authority in heaven! The angels are at His beck and call! The Holy Spirit is given because of Him, by Him, and in order to illuminate Him to the hearts of men.
HE HAS ALL AUTHORITY IN EARTHNothing can transpire in this world without His authority. No circumstance occurs in this realm without His approval. He is the King of kings, and the Lord of lords! He is the "Governor among the nations" (Psa 22:28). Ultimately, the affairs of men are not determined by vote or by the imposition of powerful individuals. Daniel prophesied to king Nebuchadnezzar "to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will, and setteth up over it the basest of men" (Dan 4:17).
WHAT IS THE divine intent behind Jesus receiving "power over all flesh?" It is not for managing a visible government in this world. Jesus reveals the purpose Himself. It is not made known in a discourse to men, but in a prayer to God. It is not prayed at a time of unusual blessing, but on the eve of His own cursing by God (Gal 3:13). Our Lord said these words in anticipation of the "glory that should follow" His vicarious death (1 Pet 1:11): "That He should give eternal life to as many as Thou hast given Him" (John 17:2). Note, the power was not given to Him to subdue His enemies – although will surely be done! His enemies will all bow at His feet.
THE MIGHTIEST DISPLAY of Divine power is not the subjugation of those aligned against God! Rather, it is giving eternal life to those that the Father has given to the Son. And what is involved in "giving eternal life to as many as" God has given to Him?
NOMINAL CHRISTENDOM has oversimplified the matter of salvation. Too often they equate it with shrewd evangelistic techniques, oratorical presentations, and disciplined procedures. God associates it with "power over all flesh!" It takes more than a little power to get people from earth to heaven; out of sin into righteousness; delivered from the power of darkness and translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son! Such dramatic results require "all power in heaven and on earth." The magnitude of salvation has simply not dawned upon the masses of professed believers. That is why they find is easy to entertain futuristic views of a reigning Christ.
OPENING THE DOOR OF FAITHFor 1,500 years, the Gentile nations had been cut off from God. Appropriately, they were described as "without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world" (Eph 2:12). How would people in such a hopeless condition come to have faith in God? They were the "heathen" God had pledged to give the Son for an "inheritance" (Psa 2:8). Nevertheless, they were dominated by the devil, enslaved to sin, and blinded. How could they ever be able to believe?
IF BELIEVING was difficult for the Jews, who had been cultured to do so by Moses and the prophets, what hope is there for the Gentiles? The "King of heaven" will open the door of faith to them. In spite of their addiction to idolatry and blindness to truth, they will be enabled to believe. "And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how HE HAD OPENED THE DOOR OF FAITH unto the Gentiles" (Acts 14:27). Jesus had been given power over all flesh, to give eternal life!
OPENING THE HEARTThe key of David can be used to open men's hearts! Once, it is recorded that the Lord opened a woman's heart so she could respond to the glorious Gospel proclaimed to her. "And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshiped God, heard us: WHOSE HEART THE LORD OPENED, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul" (Acts 16:14). As always, Satan attempted to blind the mind of Lydia, but He could not do it! She had a genuine interest in the words she heard, and Jesus saw to it that nothing hindered her from comprehending and responding to the truth of the Gospel. Nothing in Scripture suggests that this experience was uniquely confined to her.
YOUR OWN SALVATION, initially and in its completion, is owing to Jesus' power over all flesh.– Given O. Blakely
Monday, November 1, 2010
UPHOLDING ALL THINGS
"Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high" (Hebrews 1:3)
AS THE "CAPTAIN OF OUR SALVATION," Jesus is the Upholder, or Sustainer, of all things. That is, all orderliness and precision, whether in nature or grace, is traced back to Him. If it were not for "the word of His power," the universe would spin out of control, and there would be no such thing as a productive environment or relationship. Neither nature nor grace is operating on automatic pilot. They are not merely sustained by natural laws that have been put into place, operating independently of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is presently "sustaining all things by His powerful word" (NIV).
IT IS TRUE, Christ sustains the individual, but His ministry is much larger than that. Having been "delivered from the power of darkness, and translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son" (Col 1:13), you occupy the realm of "all things." You are in a world destined for destruction. You are also in a moral universe, in which good and evil are locked in mortal combat. The god of this world is aligned against you, together with his diabolical hosts, including "principalities and powers, spiritual wickedness in high places, and the rulers of the darkness of this world" (Eph 6:11). These are some of the things that are "present." Besides this, there are "things to come," and the larger context of "life and death" (1 Cor 3:20-21).
IN ADDITION TO THESE THINGS, we are a sort of miniature cosmos within ourselves. We have "another law," or principle, within our members, warring against the law of our renewed mind (Rom 7:23). Our natural "members" must be mortified through the power of the Spirit, because they are not subject to the Lord (Rom 8:11-13; Gal 5:24; Col 3:5). The Spirit and the flesh wage relentless war within us. As it is written, "For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would." (Gal 5:17).
THROW INTO THIS SCENARIO that we "are come" to a society of staggering proportions. Included are all the redeemed currently "in the body" 2 Cor 5:6; Heb 13:3), the "spirits of just men made perfect," an "innumerable company of angels," "God the Judge," and "Jesus the Mediator of a new covenant" (Heb 12:22-24).
WE DO WELL TO stretch our minds and hearts to be more aware of these surroundings than those monitored by our fleshly senses. This aggregation of personalities are all alive, acutely aware of things transpiring in the earth. We are even told of the martyrs, who laid down their life for Christ Jesus. They are portrayed in association with the heavenly "altar" aware that their blood has not yet been avenged. "I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained; and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, wilt Thou refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?"" (Rev 6:9-10, NASB).
BLOT FROM YOUR MIND the notion that, in Christ, you have merely adopted a new pattern of living, or "way of life." You have been made to "sit together" with Christ "in heavenly places," surrounded by a moral cosmos in which intense activity is now taking place. There is a sense in which we, like the Apostles, are "exhibited . . . as men condemned to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men" NASB (1 Cor 4:9, NASB). The battlefield into which faith ushers us is seen by both men and angels – the "world" into which regeneration has inducted us.
HOW IS IT THAT THIS complex spiritual environment has not been our undoing? Why has faith been able to survive the relentless onslaughts of the evil one? Why have we not become victim of the war between good and evil? How is it that the waves of circumstance have not been our undoing, washing us away in a tide of trouble and iniquity? How have you managed to survive the many testings and trials through which you have passed? Why has the mysterious unknown been unable to throw you to the ground in utter defeat?
IT IS BECAUSE JESUS is holding everything together, sustaining it by the Word of His power. But this means more than merely keeping things from spinning wildly out of control. These things are all being upheld for the good of His people. To put it another way, the Lord is working "all things together for our good" (Rom 8:28). To work them "together," He must be able to control them – and He does! He is marshaling all Divine resources and power for your good, to ensure you remain a part of His eternal purpose. All of these "things" are being sustained in the interest of your salvation – for your perfection and ultimate glory.
– Given O. Blakely
AS THE "CAPTAIN OF OUR SALVATION," Jesus is the Upholder, or Sustainer, of all things. That is, all orderliness and precision, whether in nature or grace, is traced back to Him. If it were not for "the word of His power," the universe would spin out of control, and there would be no such thing as a productive environment or relationship. Neither nature nor grace is operating on automatic pilot. They are not merely sustained by natural laws that have been put into place, operating independently of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is presently "sustaining all things by His powerful word" (NIV).
IT IS TRUE, Christ sustains the individual, but His ministry is much larger than that. Having been "delivered from the power of darkness, and translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son" (Col 1:13), you occupy the realm of "all things." You are in a world destined for destruction. You are also in a moral universe, in which good and evil are locked in mortal combat. The god of this world is aligned against you, together with his diabolical hosts, including "principalities and powers, spiritual wickedness in high places, and the rulers of the darkness of this world" (Eph 6:11). These are some of the things that are "present." Besides this, there are "things to come," and the larger context of "life and death" (1 Cor 3:20-21).
IN ADDITION TO THESE THINGS, we are a sort of miniature cosmos within ourselves. We have "another law," or principle, within our members, warring against the law of our renewed mind (Rom 7:23). Our natural "members" must be mortified through the power of the Spirit, because they are not subject to the Lord (Rom 8:11-13; Gal 5:24; Col 3:5). The Spirit and the flesh wage relentless war within us. As it is written, "For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would." (Gal 5:17).
THROW INTO THIS SCENARIO that we "are come" to a society of staggering proportions. Included are all the redeemed currently "in the body" 2 Cor 5:6; Heb 13:3), the "spirits of just men made perfect," an "innumerable company of angels," "God the Judge," and "Jesus the Mediator of a new covenant" (Heb 12:22-24).
WE DO WELL TO stretch our minds and hearts to be more aware of these surroundings than those monitored by our fleshly senses. This aggregation of personalities are all alive, acutely aware of things transpiring in the earth. We are even told of the martyrs, who laid down their life for Christ Jesus. They are portrayed in association with the heavenly "altar" aware that their blood has not yet been avenged. "I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained; and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, wilt Thou refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?"" (Rev 6:9-10, NASB).
BLOT FROM YOUR MIND the notion that, in Christ, you have merely adopted a new pattern of living, or "way of life." You have been made to "sit together" with Christ "in heavenly places," surrounded by a moral cosmos in which intense activity is now taking place. There is a sense in which we, like the Apostles, are "exhibited . . . as men condemned to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men" NASB (1 Cor 4:9, NASB). The battlefield into which faith ushers us is seen by both men and angels – the "world" into which regeneration has inducted us.
HOW IS IT THAT THIS complex spiritual environment has not been our undoing? Why has faith been able to survive the relentless onslaughts of the evil one? Why have we not become victim of the war between good and evil? How is it that the waves of circumstance have not been our undoing, washing us away in a tide of trouble and iniquity? How have you managed to survive the many testings and trials through which you have passed? Why has the mysterious unknown been unable to throw you to the ground in utter defeat?
IT IS BECAUSE JESUS is holding everything together, sustaining it by the Word of His power. But this means more than merely keeping things from spinning wildly out of control. These things are all being upheld for the good of His people. To put it another way, the Lord is working "all things together for our good" (Rom 8:28). To work them "together," He must be able to control them – and He does! He is marshaling all Divine resources and power for your good, to ensure you remain a part of His eternal purpose. All of these "things" are being sustained in the interest of your salvation – for your perfection and ultimate glory.
– Given O. Blakely
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