04.29.09
J.A. Matteson
"Consider Him who has endured such hostility…that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:3
The Lord Jesus Christ is the quintessential example of perfect single-minded devotion to God. The Lord began and concluded His earthly ministry displaying an unshakable resolve to faithfully discharge His Father’s will, irrespective of how men interpreted it; an inner awareness of absolute devotion to His Father existed from the earliest years, “Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father's house?” (Lk. 2:49). This compulsion towards obedience defined the Lord’s life and finds resemblance in the circumcised heart, inclining it toward the faithful discharge of the saving truth entrusted to it, “For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel” (1 Cor. 9:16).
The Lord Jesus Christ serves not only as a perfect model for obedience, but also as an exemplary standard of endurance in the midst of suffering—the result of obedience—and to this end the faith of the saints of old serve as an encouragement. Along the pilgrim’s path unexpected dangers lurk and their intended end is to divert the pilgrims devotion away from the Savior and Calvary, tempting him to concentrate upon temporal concerns, the utmost of which is to preserve personal autonomy while serving his Master, to which the Lord warns, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me” (Matt. 16:24). The Apostle daily mortified the flesh with its vigorous tendency towards self-determination exclaiming, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me” (Gal. 2:20).
The Lord encountered overt hostility to His Gospel, enduring all things for the joy set before Him, so too the pilgrim is called to endure while maintaining an eternal perspective. As the Son of Man the Lord Jesus Christ experienced humanity completely, if this were not so He could not qualify as the pilgrim’s high priestly intercessor. He was misunderstood in His speech and reviled, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.’ The Jews then said, ‘It took forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?” (Jn. 2:19-20); He was ridiculed for His stated identity, “In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. "He saved others," they said, "but he can't save himself” (Mk. 15:31); He was vilified regarding the perceived source of His empowerment, “He casts out the demons by the ruler of the demons" (Matt. 9:34); He was mocked, beaten, bled, and died in response to His unwavering convictions, “…after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified” (Matt. 27:26).
In spite of ill treatment the Lord was never demoralized, discouraged, distracted, doubtful, scared, concerned, bitter, envious, inclined to outbursts of anger, cynical, pessimistic, disparaging, or in any other way unsettled within, for these things depict the fallen depraved nature of man. In the midst of the storm the Lamb of God knew nothing but perfect obedience and peace. It is this disposition that the Spirit steadily produces in the hearts of the saints so that they “not grow weary and lose heart.” Let the saints of old serve to encourage you as you sojourn, for they like you were mortal men who, gazing into the future looked intently for a better city, whose foundation and walls are not made by human hands. And knowing that God was for them they remained undaunted in their mission of mercy to proclaim the excellencies of Him who calls and sanctifies in order that men might escape the coming wrath of the Lamb. The impetus of obedience is love, and the fruit of love is endurance, “…love… bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails” (1 Cor. 13:7-8). And love comes full circle in that the object of the pilgrims love is Jesus Christ the Son of God, who is love. Perfect loves casts our fear in the face of violent hostility to the messenger and his message; therefore, let the pilgrim be fully persuaded of the Lord’s immutable love for him. And let him not entertain the false conclusion that opposition signals defeat, “What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31).
Let him recognize, rather, that terse opposition indicates the Lord is taking enemy ground and that he may confidently stand firm in the administration of the Gospel to which he has been called.
Copyright 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8)
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Sweet the Promise
04.25.09
J.A. Matteson
"…others were tortured…others experienced mocking and scourging…chains and imprisonment. They were stoned…sawn in two…tempted…put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goat skins being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated…of whom the world was not worthy…." Hebrews 11:35-38
Beware of any gospel that characterizes the grace of God exclusively in terms of worldly gain in the form of finery, ease, health, and/or wealth, for it is a different gospel from that delivered by Jesus Christ and His Apostles, it is a false gospel, and as such it has no power to save.
Scripture records and Church history testifies that the life of the pilgrim may be, and often is, met with severe and protracted difficulty. Watch out, therefore, for men who would lead you astray by bringing to you strange teachings that dilute, distort or otherwise diminish the Person of Jesus Christ to serve their own covetous ends.
Guard against a gospel that promises much and requires little. Watch out for any who diminish God’s glory by making Him out to be your bell-hop who responds eagerly to your every fleshly whim, for such a depiction of I AM is a repugnant sham and those who propagate it will be judged accordingly on that Day; the God of Israel is the Supreme Sovereign and He does not bow to the misguided beckon calls of men; He is Lord of all things seen and unseen, sharing His glory with no man.
In the present day there are men teaching strange doctrines not in accordance with the truth of Scripture, men of depraved minds who for sordid gain deceive and shipwreck the faith of the weak. Depictions of the Lord by these men appeal to the base desires of men—making them popular, yet they are delusional misrepresentations of the Lord of Hosts; they are idols constructed in the recesses of depraved minds. These teachers of false doctrine will suffer the consequence of their error and those who naively follow them will suffer harm spiritually, emotionally, and physically.
All that the Lord does in and through the lives of His saints is for His glory and their good. At times His purposes are best met through the deliverance of His people and at other times by allowing them to suffer. Pilgrims who are suffering are advised to inquire of the Lord to discern if perhaps they are experiencing the loving chastening of the Father, and if sin is revealed then confession and repentance will restore their relationship with Christ. Yet men who attribute all suffering as a result of sin are liars and false teachers, the glory of God is smeared by their misrepresentations of His character, and in His time they will receive the full recompense for their folly at His hands, for “It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).
As the writer clearly demonstrates the saints of God often do not have a comfortable life on earth, many suffer at the hands of wicked men, others some suffer sickness and death, poverty, and loneliness as a result of abandonment by family and friends due to their confession of Jesus Christ. Many endure a lack food, clothing, shelter, while multitudes are abandoned by non-believing family members, numerous are shunned by co-workers and passed over for promotions, fired, and for many employment opportunities are withheld. In the words of the Apostle many are regarded as the scum of the earth and most of their existence on earth is one of pain and suffering. For some this is God’s design, not to punish due to sin, but to sanctify and exalt them through faith in the Him who calls.
Providence assures pilgrims seasons of comfort and suffering. Accepting suffering in faith develops endurance, making sweet the promise, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away” (Rev. 21:4).
Copyright 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8)
J.A. Matteson
"…others were tortured…others experienced mocking and scourging…chains and imprisonment. They were stoned…sawn in two…tempted…put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goat skins being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated…of whom the world was not worthy…." Hebrews 11:35-38
Beware of any gospel that characterizes the grace of God exclusively in terms of worldly gain in the form of finery, ease, health, and/or wealth, for it is a different gospel from that delivered by Jesus Christ and His Apostles, it is a false gospel, and as such it has no power to save.
Scripture records and Church history testifies that the life of the pilgrim may be, and often is, met with severe and protracted difficulty. Watch out, therefore, for men who would lead you astray by bringing to you strange teachings that dilute, distort or otherwise diminish the Person of Jesus Christ to serve their own covetous ends.
Guard against a gospel that promises much and requires little. Watch out for any who diminish God’s glory by making Him out to be your bell-hop who responds eagerly to your every fleshly whim, for such a depiction of I AM is a repugnant sham and those who propagate it will be judged accordingly on that Day; the God of Israel is the Supreme Sovereign and He does not bow to the misguided beckon calls of men; He is Lord of all things seen and unseen, sharing His glory with no man.
In the present day there are men teaching strange doctrines not in accordance with the truth of Scripture, men of depraved minds who for sordid gain deceive and shipwreck the faith of the weak. Depictions of the Lord by these men appeal to the base desires of men—making them popular, yet they are delusional misrepresentations of the Lord of Hosts; they are idols constructed in the recesses of depraved minds. These teachers of false doctrine will suffer the consequence of their error and those who naively follow them will suffer harm spiritually, emotionally, and physically.
All that the Lord does in and through the lives of His saints is for His glory and their good. At times His purposes are best met through the deliverance of His people and at other times by allowing them to suffer. Pilgrims who are suffering are advised to inquire of the Lord to discern if perhaps they are experiencing the loving chastening of the Father, and if sin is revealed then confession and repentance will restore their relationship with Christ. Yet men who attribute all suffering as a result of sin are liars and false teachers, the glory of God is smeared by their misrepresentations of His character, and in His time they will receive the full recompense for their folly at His hands, for “It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).
As the writer clearly demonstrates the saints of God often do not have a comfortable life on earth, many suffer at the hands of wicked men, others some suffer sickness and death, poverty, and loneliness as a result of abandonment by family and friends due to their confession of Jesus Christ. Many endure a lack food, clothing, shelter, while multitudes are abandoned by non-believing family members, numerous are shunned by co-workers and passed over for promotions, fired, and for many employment opportunities are withheld. In the words of the Apostle many are regarded as the scum of the earth and most of their existence on earth is one of pain and suffering. For some this is God’s design, not to punish due to sin, but to sanctify and exalt them through faith in the Him who calls.
Providence assures pilgrims seasons of comfort and suffering. Accepting suffering in faith develops endurance, making sweet the promise, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away” (Rev. 21:4).
Copyright 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8)
Friday, April 24, 2009
The Divine Intersection
04.24.09
J.A. Matteson
"Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered." Hebrews 5:8
Obedience is the outworking of faith forged in the furnace of testing which is fueled by perfect love supplied by God. Causal relationships require an antecedent, and the antecedent to obedience is preference whereby faith directs the will to action. The antithesis of obedience is rebellion, and as the latter is repugnant to God the former upholds His glory as Abraham, the man of faith, demonstrated, “with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God” (Rom. 4:20). Suffering in the form of testing is engineered for good to provide opportunity for the pilgrim to exercise faith—the just shall live by faith—bringing substance to his confession; faith apart from suffering is academic, faith without works to the glory of God is dead, “show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works” (Jas. 2:18).
In order for faith to be strengthened it must be exercised and stressed as a muscle; a lack of stress and it atrophies. Jesus Christ confronted suffering with a constitution of steel, grounded in an unshakable bedrock assurance in the promises and goodness of His Father, culminating with a triumphal declaration to Satan on the cross at Calvary, “It is finished!” (Jn. 19:30). At Calvary Jesus Christ hung at the divine intersection of obedience and suffering. It was obedience to the Father which prompted His suffering at the hands of wicked men; it was adherence to the Gospel of His Father which was met with scorn, hatred, and physical pain, even death; it was the life and light from heaven which fully reflected the glory of the Father which darkened minds and hearts rejected and sought to silence; and it was at this intersection wherein the Son of God purposed to remain resolute to the Father who sent Him, and the message He was sent to proclaim. To become an obedient ambassador of the cross is, therefore, to resign oneself to suffering, “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tim. 3:12).
Obedience is divinely evaluated through testing which produces suffering as a result of rejection by the world system. Have you settled in your mind and spirit the relationship between obedience and suffering, are you prepared to abide in Christ regardless of the cost? Or have you left a way of escape, a plan of retreat, in the event opposition to your message becomes intense? Why is it that you have been emotionally startled when the world rejected your message, what where you expecting, and on what basis where you expecting it? Have you not read what the Lord Jesus Christ said regarding Himself, the Gospel, and His disciples who testify of Him? Have you seriously counted the cost of His words?, “The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it, that its deeds are evil” (Jn. 7:7)—the world loves its own, but since the Holy Spirit indwells believers the world will hate them because His seed is in them; “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you” (Jn. 15:18)—the pilgrim generates opposition from the world just as Christ did, for what fellowship do light and darkness share?; “I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (Jn. 17:14). Why are you expecting the world to welcome your message? How did the world receive the prophets of old?, “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matt. 5:12).
To learn obedience from suffering is to have been put to the test of gaining the approval of fallen men or of that of God, and remaining true to the Savior and the redemptive mission He has called you to. In this regard the Apostle brings testimony to the grace of Jesus Christ that, “while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously” (1 Pet. 2:23). Usefulness to Jesus Christ is directly proportional to obedience, and obedience guarantees suffering on behalf of the King and His kingdom. Pilgrims rejoice knowing that it is through their obedience and suffering that the Gospel is advanced and that by the will of God it effectually calls forth the lost from every corner of the world. Reject demonic temptations to alter the Gospel—to soften its demands—in order to appeal to the flesh of fallen men so that you may avoid rejection and suffering. You cannot be obedient to Christ and be loved by the world; the battlefield to which you have been called has no pathway of retreat.
Copyright 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8)
J.A. Matteson
"Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered." Hebrews 5:8
Obedience is the outworking of faith forged in the furnace of testing which is fueled by perfect love supplied by God. Causal relationships require an antecedent, and the antecedent to obedience is preference whereby faith directs the will to action. The antithesis of obedience is rebellion, and as the latter is repugnant to God the former upholds His glory as Abraham, the man of faith, demonstrated, “with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God” (Rom. 4:20). Suffering in the form of testing is engineered for good to provide opportunity for the pilgrim to exercise faith—the just shall live by faith—bringing substance to his confession; faith apart from suffering is academic, faith without works to the glory of God is dead, “show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works” (Jas. 2:18).
In order for faith to be strengthened it must be exercised and stressed as a muscle; a lack of stress and it atrophies. Jesus Christ confronted suffering with a constitution of steel, grounded in an unshakable bedrock assurance in the promises and goodness of His Father, culminating with a triumphal declaration to Satan on the cross at Calvary, “It is finished!” (Jn. 19:30). At Calvary Jesus Christ hung at the divine intersection of obedience and suffering. It was obedience to the Father which prompted His suffering at the hands of wicked men; it was adherence to the Gospel of His Father which was met with scorn, hatred, and physical pain, even death; it was the life and light from heaven which fully reflected the glory of the Father which darkened minds and hearts rejected and sought to silence; and it was at this intersection wherein the Son of God purposed to remain resolute to the Father who sent Him, and the message He was sent to proclaim. To become an obedient ambassador of the cross is, therefore, to resign oneself to suffering, “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tim. 3:12).
Obedience is divinely evaluated through testing which produces suffering as a result of rejection by the world system. Have you settled in your mind and spirit the relationship between obedience and suffering, are you prepared to abide in Christ regardless of the cost? Or have you left a way of escape, a plan of retreat, in the event opposition to your message becomes intense? Why is it that you have been emotionally startled when the world rejected your message, what where you expecting, and on what basis where you expecting it? Have you not read what the Lord Jesus Christ said regarding Himself, the Gospel, and His disciples who testify of Him? Have you seriously counted the cost of His words?, “The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it, that its deeds are evil” (Jn. 7:7)—the world loves its own, but since the Holy Spirit indwells believers the world will hate them because His seed is in them; “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you” (Jn. 15:18)—the pilgrim generates opposition from the world just as Christ did, for what fellowship do light and darkness share?; “I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (Jn. 17:14). Why are you expecting the world to welcome your message? How did the world receive the prophets of old?, “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matt. 5:12).
To learn obedience from suffering is to have been put to the test of gaining the approval of fallen men or of that of God, and remaining true to the Savior and the redemptive mission He has called you to. In this regard the Apostle brings testimony to the grace of Jesus Christ that, “while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously” (1 Pet. 2:23). Usefulness to Jesus Christ is directly proportional to obedience, and obedience guarantees suffering on behalf of the King and His kingdom. Pilgrims rejoice knowing that it is through their obedience and suffering that the Gospel is advanced and that by the will of God it effectually calls forth the lost from every corner of the world. Reject demonic temptations to alter the Gospel—to soften its demands—in order to appeal to the flesh of fallen men so that you may avoid rejection and suffering. You cannot be obedient to Christ and be loved by the world; the battlefield to which you have been called has no pathway of retreat.
Copyright 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8)
Monday, April 20, 2009
The Crucible of Suffering
04.20.09
J.A. Matteson
"For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted." Hebrews 2:18
The kindness of God has placed you in the crucible of suffering so that your faith may be proven genuine, rendering you of greater use to the Savior. The accuser taunts you into erroneously presuming that you have sinned and are suffering the just recompense for your folly; you have found providence unnerving, pushed to the limits of human frailty, wondering how much longer you can endure it; you have been enticed by the evil one to sin, nudged to acquiesce to the hellish siren call, in our spirit battling the enemy of your soul, determined to remain steadfast in obedience to the Lord who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
Consider it normal as a pilgrim that you find yourself in the crucible of suffering. To be put to the test is a gift from God as it furthers your sanctification in grace, and the Lord has infinitely creative ways to prove your confession of Jesus Christ. The test may come as a providential calamity to measure your response. The physicians report is dire, timelines are presented, and you are encouraged to put your affairs in order; or the news comes unexpectedly that a loved one has been suddenly taken out of the world; or your material possessions and finances have evaporated through unforeseen providences, catching you unawares; or an inordinate amount of time has passed and you feel abandoned by God with regard to your petition and determine it expedient to take matters into your own hands rather than continuing to wait upon the Lord; or the test has come as a directive from the Lord, evaluating your inclination to trust and obey when you do not understand or are otherwise predisposed to disagree.
The hands of the Potter carefully shape the clay with a specific outcome in mind—pressing and pulling—to fashion it into a vessel of honor, useful to the One whose clay it is. Abraham passed the test of familial affection before God by offering up Isaac. Jonah failed the test of obedience, refusing to preach repentance to Nineveh, fleeing to Tarshish, and revealing a heart of racial hatred. The crucible may also be an enticement from Satan which the Lord allows, where your character is put to the severest test, a protracted affliction to the breaking point. The adversary employs bait specifically engineered to trick you, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall” (1 Cor. 10:12). The man after God’s own heart, King David, succumbed to the test of lust. Judas sold his soul for a mere thirty pieces of silver failing the test of a genuine repentance unto salvation. King Solomon stumbled at the behest of his many pagan wives failing the test of idolatry; King Uzziah failed the test of entitlement and pride and finished his course a leper afflicted by God.
Or perhaps you desire the glory of men, aching for human approval, and as a result manifest a heart that is ashamed of the Gospel, remaining silent when you should speak up, weighing your words carefully so as not to risk offending fleshly sensibilities, rather than risking a bold proclamation of the Word of Truth which would bring correction, exhortation, and life. Perhaps the test of obedience comes in the guise of a physical need, “The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions” (Ex. 16:4); or maybe it deals squarely with your emotions, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 21:13); or perhaps you have considered your life and reputation of more value than obedience to Jesus Christ, subtly or outright denying Him, “But he began to curse and swear, "I do not know this man you are talking about!" (Mk. 14:71).
Jesus Christ lived in the crucible of suffering and experienced every conceivable temptation imaginable, yet without sin, passing every test perfectly. He is, therefore, your perfect high priest and is even now interceding on your behalf before the Father so that your faith should not fail. Never once in word, thought or deed did Jesus Christ disobey His Father, “…for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him" (Jn. 8:29). As high priestly intercessor He is also your model to godly living, “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps” (1 Pet. 2:21). Beloved, while in the midst of the crucible of suffering Jesus bids you, “Come unto Me."
Copyright 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8)
J.A. Matteson
"For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted." Hebrews 2:18
The kindness of God has placed you in the crucible of suffering so that your faith may be proven genuine, rendering you of greater use to the Savior. The accuser taunts you into erroneously presuming that you have sinned and are suffering the just recompense for your folly; you have found providence unnerving, pushed to the limits of human frailty, wondering how much longer you can endure it; you have been enticed by the evil one to sin, nudged to acquiesce to the hellish siren call, in our spirit battling the enemy of your soul, determined to remain steadfast in obedience to the Lord who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
Consider it normal as a pilgrim that you find yourself in the crucible of suffering. To be put to the test is a gift from God as it furthers your sanctification in grace, and the Lord has infinitely creative ways to prove your confession of Jesus Christ. The test may come as a providential calamity to measure your response. The physicians report is dire, timelines are presented, and you are encouraged to put your affairs in order; or the news comes unexpectedly that a loved one has been suddenly taken out of the world; or your material possessions and finances have evaporated through unforeseen providences, catching you unawares; or an inordinate amount of time has passed and you feel abandoned by God with regard to your petition and determine it expedient to take matters into your own hands rather than continuing to wait upon the Lord; or the test has come as a directive from the Lord, evaluating your inclination to trust and obey when you do not understand or are otherwise predisposed to disagree.
The hands of the Potter carefully shape the clay with a specific outcome in mind—pressing and pulling—to fashion it into a vessel of honor, useful to the One whose clay it is. Abraham passed the test of familial affection before God by offering up Isaac. Jonah failed the test of obedience, refusing to preach repentance to Nineveh, fleeing to Tarshish, and revealing a heart of racial hatred. The crucible may also be an enticement from Satan which the Lord allows, where your character is put to the severest test, a protracted affliction to the breaking point. The adversary employs bait specifically engineered to trick you, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall” (1 Cor. 10:12). The man after God’s own heart, King David, succumbed to the test of lust. Judas sold his soul for a mere thirty pieces of silver failing the test of a genuine repentance unto salvation. King Solomon stumbled at the behest of his many pagan wives failing the test of idolatry; King Uzziah failed the test of entitlement and pride and finished his course a leper afflicted by God.
Or perhaps you desire the glory of men, aching for human approval, and as a result manifest a heart that is ashamed of the Gospel, remaining silent when you should speak up, weighing your words carefully so as not to risk offending fleshly sensibilities, rather than risking a bold proclamation of the Word of Truth which would bring correction, exhortation, and life. Perhaps the test of obedience comes in the guise of a physical need, “The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions” (Ex. 16:4); or maybe it deals squarely with your emotions, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 21:13); or perhaps you have considered your life and reputation of more value than obedience to Jesus Christ, subtly or outright denying Him, “But he began to curse and swear, "I do not know this man you are talking about!" (Mk. 14:71).
Jesus Christ lived in the crucible of suffering and experienced every conceivable temptation imaginable, yet without sin, passing every test perfectly. He is, therefore, your perfect high priest and is even now interceding on your behalf before the Father so that your faith should not fail. Never once in word, thought or deed did Jesus Christ disobey His Father, “…for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him" (Jn. 8:29). As high priestly intercessor He is also your model to godly living, “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps” (1 Pet. 2:21). Beloved, while in the midst of the crucible of suffering Jesus bids you, “Come unto Me."
Copyright 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8)
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
The Greatest Enterprise
04.14.09
J.A. Matteson
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men…." Titus 2:11
The incarnation of the Son of God is the quintessential display of grace, for that which is known of God finds its expression in the divine initiative; recipients of grace are illumined to His Person and majesty, being conscripted to a global enterprise with eternal consequences. Imagine them now in darkness, helpless, hopeless, blind, deaf, despairing, pierced through with many sorrows, not knowing their right hand from their left, always learning but never coming to a knowledge of the truth, thinking themselves wise but being detestable in every deed, idolaters, insolent, with eyes full of envy and lust, desiring and never being satisfied, blissfully ignorant of their spiritual condition and of the deep pit over which they dangle by a thread, whose demise in hell surely awaits them, lest they repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. And such were all of you. Can you picture them, for they are your neighbors, family, friends, associates, co-workers, partners, those far and near. To be called by Christ is to be on mission with Christ, to co-labor with Him in His redemptive mission of mercy. The missionary call to pilgrims is inclusive, it excludes none. Recipients of grace become channels of grace whereby the Gospel of Jesus Christ is transmitted to the sons of men that they might be saved, “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14).
The sacred trust of the Gospel requires its recipient to enter into the work of the Savior, to engage and dialogue, defend and propose, to juxtapose and refute, plead and warn. Response to the Gospel is none of your business; your obligation to your Master is to preach it passionately, consistently, and honestly, leaving the outcome of your endeavors to the Lord whose Word never returns to Him empty but always accomplishes His divine purposes in the hearts of men, “Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some began to sneer, but others said, ‘We shall hear you again concerning this.’ So Paul went out of their midst. But some men joined him and believed….” (Acts 17:32-24).
Be not disheartened as some men will reject your message outright as foolishness, sneering at you, for the Apostle sneered at the message of the cross repeatedly and gleefully approved of the stoning of Stephen, all prior to being encountered by the risen Christ. Be hopeful when men express an openness to hear more about the Way, the Truth, and the Life, diligently interceding for them, that by grace they may come to the knowledge of the truth, and be given the gift of repentance which leads to faith and eternal life. Rejoice heartedly when men respond to your message of the cross with enthusiasm and faith, giving unbridled praise to your heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation of their souls. God is no respecter of persons and, therefore, neither is the pilgrim who diligently preaches the Good News of Jesus Christ, mercifully extending it to all men, those of every tongue, tribe, race, religion, and nation. Salvation is of the Jews and by grace the Lord is now grafting into the Vine of Christ Gentile branches.
The present hour is that of grace when all men are implored to come to the Savior. An hour is coming, a Day is dawning, when the fullness of the Gentiles will have come in, when the grace of God will abruptly end; and just as the door to the ark closed without notice, so too divine judgment will commence suddenly, when the reaping angel of El Shaddai will cast the cluster from the vine of the earth “into the great wine press of the wrath of God” (Revelation 14:19). Until that Day faithful pilgrims of the King of kings and Lord of lords will sojourn on the earth, keeping their hands to the plow, casting the seed of the Word, pleading with all men to be reconciled to God, to be saved from the fearful wrath of the Lamb, to become recipients of the blessed hope of His appearing, to become joint heirs of His glory, as benefactors of the Tree of Life, their names written in the Book of Life. Pilgrim, you possess the oracle of Truth, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Lord of glory who has entrusted you with the Word of Life is faithful and will empower you by His Holy Spirit as you preach His Word. There are many endeavors to which a man may give himself while on earth, and all are temporal; the greatest enterprise is to be a co-missionary with the King immortal who promised, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19).
Copyright 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8)
J.A. Matteson
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men…." Titus 2:11
The incarnation of the Son of God is the quintessential display of grace, for that which is known of God finds its expression in the divine initiative; recipients of grace are illumined to His Person and majesty, being conscripted to a global enterprise with eternal consequences. Imagine them now in darkness, helpless, hopeless, blind, deaf, despairing, pierced through with many sorrows, not knowing their right hand from their left, always learning but never coming to a knowledge of the truth, thinking themselves wise but being detestable in every deed, idolaters, insolent, with eyes full of envy and lust, desiring and never being satisfied, blissfully ignorant of their spiritual condition and of the deep pit over which they dangle by a thread, whose demise in hell surely awaits them, lest they repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. And such were all of you. Can you picture them, for they are your neighbors, family, friends, associates, co-workers, partners, those far and near. To be called by Christ is to be on mission with Christ, to co-labor with Him in His redemptive mission of mercy. The missionary call to pilgrims is inclusive, it excludes none. Recipients of grace become channels of grace whereby the Gospel of Jesus Christ is transmitted to the sons of men that they might be saved, “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14).
The sacred trust of the Gospel requires its recipient to enter into the work of the Savior, to engage and dialogue, defend and propose, to juxtapose and refute, plead and warn. Response to the Gospel is none of your business; your obligation to your Master is to preach it passionately, consistently, and honestly, leaving the outcome of your endeavors to the Lord whose Word never returns to Him empty but always accomplishes His divine purposes in the hearts of men, “Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some began to sneer, but others said, ‘We shall hear you again concerning this.’ So Paul went out of their midst. But some men joined him and believed….” (Acts 17:32-24).
Be not disheartened as some men will reject your message outright as foolishness, sneering at you, for the Apostle sneered at the message of the cross repeatedly and gleefully approved of the stoning of Stephen, all prior to being encountered by the risen Christ. Be hopeful when men express an openness to hear more about the Way, the Truth, and the Life, diligently interceding for them, that by grace they may come to the knowledge of the truth, and be given the gift of repentance which leads to faith and eternal life. Rejoice heartedly when men respond to your message of the cross with enthusiasm and faith, giving unbridled praise to your heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation of their souls. God is no respecter of persons and, therefore, neither is the pilgrim who diligently preaches the Good News of Jesus Christ, mercifully extending it to all men, those of every tongue, tribe, race, religion, and nation. Salvation is of the Jews and by grace the Lord is now grafting into the Vine of Christ Gentile branches.
The present hour is that of grace when all men are implored to come to the Savior. An hour is coming, a Day is dawning, when the fullness of the Gentiles will have come in, when the grace of God will abruptly end; and just as the door to the ark closed without notice, so too divine judgment will commence suddenly, when the reaping angel of El Shaddai will cast the cluster from the vine of the earth “into the great wine press of the wrath of God” (Revelation 14:19). Until that Day faithful pilgrims of the King of kings and Lord of lords will sojourn on the earth, keeping their hands to the plow, casting the seed of the Word, pleading with all men to be reconciled to God, to be saved from the fearful wrath of the Lamb, to become recipients of the blessed hope of His appearing, to become joint heirs of His glory, as benefactors of the Tree of Life, their names written in the Book of Life. Pilgrim, you possess the oracle of Truth, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Lord of glory who has entrusted you with the Word of Life is faithful and will empower you by His Holy Spirit as you preach His Word. There are many endeavors to which a man may give himself while on earth, and all are temporal; the greatest enterprise is to be a co-missionary with the King immortal who promised, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19).
Copyright 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8)
Monday, April 13, 2009
The Gospel's Piercing Indictment
04.13.09
J.A. Matteson
"Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." 2 Timothy 2:3
Pilgrims of the Gospel of Jesus Christ are regarded as detestable oddities and their steadfast adherence to their Master is a grinding irritant to the conventional wisdom of men. As a grain of sand in the eye or a splinter of wood under the nail, fallen men instinctively seek to remove that which aggravates. Harsh treatment by the world directed at the saint is due to the cross of Christ and is synonymous with faithful obedience. Take heed, therefore, if the world speaks well of you, “Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For in the same way their fathers used to treat the prophets” (Luke 6:22-23).
Have you made up your mind yet? Have you settled it in your soul as to whose praise you seek? Have you forgotten the warning of the Apostle that friendship with the world is enmity against God? No faithful soldier lays down his arms on the battlefield, does he not fight until death? No combatant in the Kings army enters into an accord with the enemy while the King directs an offensive, does he? Who misled you into concluding that the message of the cross would be welcome news to the world? The message of the cross is offensive to the sensibilities of those who are perishing and often invokes a vicious response in word and at other times a violent reaction in deed, “Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name” (Matthew 24:9).
The Gospel of Jesus Christ penetrates to the core of human depravity, it spars none, is impartial to all, it leaves naked and exposed the secrets of men's hearts, it obliterates all pretense and religiosity, it shatters the prideful illusion of self-righteousness, it deals squarely with men individually as they are and not as they perceive themselves to be, it demolishes perceived hiding places in that there is no place where the Gospel does not reign supremely. Without partiality the Gospel condemns all and commands all to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ or perish under the mighty wrath of God. To the hedonist blindly chasing after pleasure the Gospel condemns, “You have lived luxuriously on the earth and led a life of wanton pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter” (James 5:5); to the materialist amassing possessions the Gospel condemns, “Then He said to them, ‘Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions" (Luke 12:13-15); to the atheist the Gospel condemns, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God’” (Psalm 14:1); to the polytheist the Gospel condemns, “See now that I myself am He! There is no god besides Me….” (Deuteronomy 32:39); to the religious the Gospel condemns, “Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious… Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you” (Acts 17:22-23); to the pluralist the Gospel condemns, “And there is salvation in no one else ; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 14:12).
As a result of the Gospel’s piercing indictment of ego-centric attempts at self-justification the world abhors it and the bond-slaved of Jesus Christ who tenaciously declares it. What, then, is the consolation to the faithful pilgrim bearing the message of the cross to a hostile world? Let the words of the Apostle lighten your load and fill your heart with joy, “For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory” (2 Timothy 2:10).
There is both a hardening and softening outcome to the Gospel; to the elect—foreknown and predestined—a softening of heart leading to conviction and repentance without regret resulting in salvation, and to the reprobate a hardening of heart resulting in hostility to the Gospel, ending in death. The good soldier of the cross can endure hardship knowing that the Gospel will bring to faith and repentance those foreknown and predestined to salvation, “When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed” (Acts 13:48).
Beloved, good soldiers brought to you the Gospel of your redemption; elect remain in darkness awaiting a good soldier to bring them the Gospel of Life; be that good soldier.
Copyright 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8).
J.A. Matteson
"Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." 2 Timothy 2:3
Pilgrims of the Gospel of Jesus Christ are regarded as detestable oddities and their steadfast adherence to their Master is a grinding irritant to the conventional wisdom of men. As a grain of sand in the eye or a splinter of wood under the nail, fallen men instinctively seek to remove that which aggravates. Harsh treatment by the world directed at the saint is due to the cross of Christ and is synonymous with faithful obedience. Take heed, therefore, if the world speaks well of you, “Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For in the same way their fathers used to treat the prophets” (Luke 6:22-23).
Have you made up your mind yet? Have you settled it in your soul as to whose praise you seek? Have you forgotten the warning of the Apostle that friendship with the world is enmity against God? No faithful soldier lays down his arms on the battlefield, does he not fight until death? No combatant in the Kings army enters into an accord with the enemy while the King directs an offensive, does he? Who misled you into concluding that the message of the cross would be welcome news to the world? The message of the cross is offensive to the sensibilities of those who are perishing and often invokes a vicious response in word and at other times a violent reaction in deed, “Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name” (Matthew 24:9).
The Gospel of Jesus Christ penetrates to the core of human depravity, it spars none, is impartial to all, it leaves naked and exposed the secrets of men's hearts, it obliterates all pretense and religiosity, it shatters the prideful illusion of self-righteousness, it deals squarely with men individually as they are and not as they perceive themselves to be, it demolishes perceived hiding places in that there is no place where the Gospel does not reign supremely. Without partiality the Gospel condemns all and commands all to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ or perish under the mighty wrath of God. To the hedonist blindly chasing after pleasure the Gospel condemns, “You have lived luxuriously on the earth and led a life of wanton pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter” (James 5:5); to the materialist amassing possessions the Gospel condemns, “Then He said to them, ‘Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions" (Luke 12:13-15); to the atheist the Gospel condemns, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God’” (Psalm 14:1); to the polytheist the Gospel condemns, “See now that I myself am He! There is no god besides Me….” (Deuteronomy 32:39); to the religious the Gospel condemns, “Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious… Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you” (Acts 17:22-23); to the pluralist the Gospel condemns, “And there is salvation in no one else ; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 14:12).
As a result of the Gospel’s piercing indictment of ego-centric attempts at self-justification the world abhors it and the bond-slaved of Jesus Christ who tenaciously declares it. What, then, is the consolation to the faithful pilgrim bearing the message of the cross to a hostile world? Let the words of the Apostle lighten your load and fill your heart with joy, “For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory” (2 Timothy 2:10).
There is both a hardening and softening outcome to the Gospel; to the elect—foreknown and predestined—a softening of heart leading to conviction and repentance without regret resulting in salvation, and to the reprobate a hardening of heart resulting in hostility to the Gospel, ending in death. The good soldier of the cross can endure hardship knowing that the Gospel will bring to faith and repentance those foreknown and predestined to salvation, “When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed” (Acts 13:48).
Beloved, good soldiers brought to you the Gospel of your redemption; elect remain in darkness awaiting a good soldier to bring them the Gospel of Life; be that good soldier.
Copyright 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8).
Friday, April 10, 2009
Perilous Patterns
04.10.09
J.A. Matteson
"But we know that the Law is good if one uses it lawfully…" 1 Timothy 1:8-10
Unlike the ceremonial and dietary laws the moral Law of God is permanent and will be the plumb line by which the sons of Adam will be judged. The Apostle briefly outlines representative behavior patterns that typify the fallen depraved nature, behaviors that are odious before a Holy God, their just compensation being righteous condemnation. Through the Law the Holy Spirit mercifully confronts sin, convicts, generates repentance, and compels the transgressor to embrace the cross of Jesus Christ for salvation by faith, “Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4).
The mood of the present culture is increasingly one of brash lawlessness and hatred towards godliness. The sons of Adam are becoming increasingly emboldened, proudly flaunting sin. Tares are intertwined with the wheat, having crept into the fellowship of the Church by stealth and are seducing naïve saints into accepting abhorrent behavior as something pleasing to God. The Apostle lists only a few reprehensible behaviors to illustrate his point: the lawless, rebellious, profane, murders, immoral, homosexuals, kidnappers, liars, perjurers, and “whatever else is contrary to sound teaching.”
Note carefully that those who seek to advance such behaviors are teaching what is “contrary to sound teaching.” Mark such teachers and avoid them. These teachers have crept in among Christians and they are maligning Scripture, “For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ” (Jude 1:4).
While professing the Lord Jesus Christ they deny Him by their deeds, demonstrating conclusively that their hearts remain uncircumcised, they are false brethren. These professors proudly pursue legitimacy and empowerment through the civil magistrate. Increasingly the children of Light are being marginalized and vilified by them in their stance for the truth of the immutable Word of God. This is to be expected, for the saints are not of the world, but have been chosen out of the world, therefore the world hates them.
Genuine grace expressed in love does not conceal sin, for to do so is to withhold the Law of grace and capitulate to the sinners path of self-destruction; rather, grace and love expose sin, allowing it to stand naked and vulnerable, not to destroy the transgressor, but that he may be granted the gift of repentance and be saved, “Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them….” (Ephesians 5:11).
All of the sinful behaviors highlighted by the Apostle are noteworthy. In the present culture one in particular is gaining rapid acceptance; viz., that which God unmistakably identifies as evil being labeled as good; the sin of homosexuality. Note closely that the Apostle identifies this and other sins as something that formerly described the believer prior to conversion.
The Apostle describes the sinful patterns in the past tense, not the present or future tense. The circumcision of the heart by the Holy Spirit results in a new creation in Christ Jesus whereby the old inclinations and desires are nailed to the cross and are now regarded in the past tense, “…do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither…homosexuals…will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
The moral Law of God is immutable. Let not the man of God be seduced by strange teachings, following after the doctrines of demons and men. Never is the Word of God to be conformed to the culture; rather, let the culture be transformed by the Word of Truth and thus be saved from the wrath to come.
Copyright 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever" Isaiah 40:8).
J.A. Matteson
"But we know that the Law is good if one uses it lawfully…" 1 Timothy 1:8-10
Unlike the ceremonial and dietary laws the moral Law of God is permanent and will be the plumb line by which the sons of Adam will be judged. The Apostle briefly outlines representative behavior patterns that typify the fallen depraved nature, behaviors that are odious before a Holy God, their just compensation being righteous condemnation. Through the Law the Holy Spirit mercifully confronts sin, convicts, generates repentance, and compels the transgressor to embrace the cross of Jesus Christ for salvation by faith, “Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4).
The mood of the present culture is increasingly one of brash lawlessness and hatred towards godliness. The sons of Adam are becoming increasingly emboldened, proudly flaunting sin. Tares are intertwined with the wheat, having crept into the fellowship of the Church by stealth and are seducing naïve saints into accepting abhorrent behavior as something pleasing to God. The Apostle lists only a few reprehensible behaviors to illustrate his point: the lawless, rebellious, profane, murders, immoral, homosexuals, kidnappers, liars, perjurers, and “whatever else is contrary to sound teaching.”
Note carefully that those who seek to advance such behaviors are teaching what is “contrary to sound teaching.” Mark such teachers and avoid them. These teachers have crept in among Christians and they are maligning Scripture, “For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ” (Jude 1:4).
While professing the Lord Jesus Christ they deny Him by their deeds, demonstrating conclusively that their hearts remain uncircumcised, they are false brethren. These professors proudly pursue legitimacy and empowerment through the civil magistrate. Increasingly the children of Light are being marginalized and vilified by them in their stance for the truth of the immutable Word of God. This is to be expected, for the saints are not of the world, but have been chosen out of the world, therefore the world hates them.
Genuine grace expressed in love does not conceal sin, for to do so is to withhold the Law of grace and capitulate to the sinners path of self-destruction; rather, grace and love expose sin, allowing it to stand naked and vulnerable, not to destroy the transgressor, but that he may be granted the gift of repentance and be saved, “Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them….” (Ephesians 5:11).
All of the sinful behaviors highlighted by the Apostle are noteworthy. In the present culture one in particular is gaining rapid acceptance; viz., that which God unmistakably identifies as evil being labeled as good; the sin of homosexuality. Note closely that the Apostle identifies this and other sins as something that formerly described the believer prior to conversion.
The Apostle describes the sinful patterns in the past tense, not the present or future tense. The circumcision of the heart by the Holy Spirit results in a new creation in Christ Jesus whereby the old inclinations and desires are nailed to the cross and are now regarded in the past tense, “…do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither…homosexuals…will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
The moral Law of God is immutable. Let not the man of God be seduced by strange teachings, following after the doctrines of demons and men. Never is the Word of God to be conformed to the culture; rather, let the culture be transformed by the Word of Truth and thus be saved from the wrath to come.
Copyright 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever" Isaiah 40:8).
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Competing Conventions
04.09.09
J.A. Matteson
"…stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or by letter from us." 2 Thessalonians 2:15
Spiritual syncretism remains an ever present danger to the Christian. Competing conventions—like ocean waves pounding upon the shoreline—persistently work to erode the foundation of the truth upon which the saint stands; viz., Scripture. Demonically inspired conventions woo the simple and ensnare them in large measure as a result of their base appeal to the flesh, being recognized by their promise of much and their requirement of little.
Beware of conventions that appease and placate the desires of the flesh. By contrast the way of the cross is lethal to the flesh and its desires, terminating in death; the way of the cross is specific and narrow, demanding obedience and perseverance; the way of the cross is immutable and transcends generational zeitgeist’s; the way of the cross demands that a man deny himself and become slave to a new Master, the Lord Jesus Christ; the way of the cross through the Holy Spirit infuses within the saint a hatred for what God hates and a hunger and thirst for what is pleasing to Him; the etymology pertaining to the way of the cross is plain and preserved by inspired Scripture; the way of the cross requires all that a man is and has and in return supplies an eternal inheritance which does not suffer loss or corruption, resulting in eternal life. The Apostle confronted spiritual syncretism frontally with full force, sparing none who denied the words of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Apostles who were the recipients of divine revelation, “stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or by letter from us.”
Postmodernism is part of the zeitgeist of our age whereby meta-narratives—secular and sacred—are closely scrutinized and often rejected, being replaced by a broader storyline that inherently allows for a loose reinterpretation of a subject under discussion. Not all rejection of inherited meta-narratives is egregious as it was through this process that the reformers challenged erroneous conventions by the Roman Catholic Church and the Pope. However, the substantive difference from then and today is that it is not the extra-biblical doctrines of men being challenged, but the Bible itself.
Nowhere is this more evident than in the quarters of the Emergent Church that is confronting the meta-narratives of the historic Christian faith as preserved in Scripture, replacing them with a new “narrative theology.” The hermeneutic of the Emergent Church shuns the confrontational absolutes found in Scripture, preferring instead a “conversation” of them which results in fanciful applications.
The Lord Jesus Christ exclaimed, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life ; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6), to which one Emergent has stated, “I affirm the truth anywhere in any religious system, in any worldview. If it's true, it belongs to God” (Rob Bell). That statement is antithetical to the Apostle, “stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or by letter from us.”
End time prophecy clearly states that prior to the Parousia a great apostasy will take place whereby “the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons” (1 Timothy 4:1). The tenets of the Emergent Church with its teachings that question the clear Word of God (Scripture) are not new—for there is nothing new under the sun—and their origin is clearly recognized by those who have ears to hear, “Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, ‘Indeed, has God said….’” (Genesis 3:1).
Stand firm, therefore, in the Word of Truth and reject those who have crept in to deceive you. The Word of our Lord stands forever and is immutable. Reject those who would lead you to believe it is progressing and evolving to fit the culture in which you live. Reject those who maintain the Word of Truth is dated, needing an update—these lies find their origin in the Father of lies.
Copyright 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8)
J.A. Matteson
"…stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or by letter from us." 2 Thessalonians 2:15
Spiritual syncretism remains an ever present danger to the Christian. Competing conventions—like ocean waves pounding upon the shoreline—persistently work to erode the foundation of the truth upon which the saint stands; viz., Scripture. Demonically inspired conventions woo the simple and ensnare them in large measure as a result of their base appeal to the flesh, being recognized by their promise of much and their requirement of little.
Beware of conventions that appease and placate the desires of the flesh. By contrast the way of the cross is lethal to the flesh and its desires, terminating in death; the way of the cross is specific and narrow, demanding obedience and perseverance; the way of the cross is immutable and transcends generational zeitgeist’s; the way of the cross demands that a man deny himself and become slave to a new Master, the Lord Jesus Christ; the way of the cross through the Holy Spirit infuses within the saint a hatred for what God hates and a hunger and thirst for what is pleasing to Him; the etymology pertaining to the way of the cross is plain and preserved by inspired Scripture; the way of the cross requires all that a man is and has and in return supplies an eternal inheritance which does not suffer loss or corruption, resulting in eternal life. The Apostle confronted spiritual syncretism frontally with full force, sparing none who denied the words of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Apostles who were the recipients of divine revelation, “stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or by letter from us.”
Postmodernism is part of the zeitgeist of our age whereby meta-narratives—secular and sacred—are closely scrutinized and often rejected, being replaced by a broader storyline that inherently allows for a loose reinterpretation of a subject under discussion. Not all rejection of inherited meta-narratives is egregious as it was through this process that the reformers challenged erroneous conventions by the Roman Catholic Church and the Pope. However, the substantive difference from then and today is that it is not the extra-biblical doctrines of men being challenged, but the Bible itself.
Nowhere is this more evident than in the quarters of the Emergent Church that is confronting the meta-narratives of the historic Christian faith as preserved in Scripture, replacing them with a new “narrative theology.” The hermeneutic of the Emergent Church shuns the confrontational absolutes found in Scripture, preferring instead a “conversation” of them which results in fanciful applications.
The Lord Jesus Christ exclaimed, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life ; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6), to which one Emergent has stated, “I affirm the truth anywhere in any religious system, in any worldview. If it's true, it belongs to God” (Rob Bell). That statement is antithetical to the Apostle, “stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or by letter from us.”
End time prophecy clearly states that prior to the Parousia a great apostasy will take place whereby “the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons” (1 Timothy 4:1). The tenets of the Emergent Church with its teachings that question the clear Word of God (Scripture) are not new—for there is nothing new under the sun—and their origin is clearly recognized by those who have ears to hear, “Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, ‘Indeed, has God said….’” (Genesis 3:1).
Stand firm, therefore, in the Word of Truth and reject those who have crept in to deceive you. The Word of our Lord stands forever and is immutable. Reject those who would lead you to believe it is progressing and evolving to fit the culture in which you live. Reject those who maintain the Word of Truth is dated, needing an update—these lies find their origin in the Father of lies.
Copyright 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8)
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
The Hour Is Near
04.08.09
J.A. Matteson
"Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass."
1 Thessalonians 5:24
On pilgrimage the Christian sojourns upon the earth as one out of place and time, passing through regions of indescribable joy, finding himself high upon the mount where the vistas are breathtaking, the air so clear as to see great distances, and the warmth of the Son intimate. At other times he is in the lowlands—the shadowy places—in the foreboding valley of darkness, groping to find his way, tenderness toward the Holy Spirit produces an unbearable heartache and misery over sin, his meddlesome companion. Cycles of spiritual victory and fleshly setbacks define the Christian’s pilgrimage and his heart aches for the day when he is permanently loosed from the rotting corpse of the old man he drags about. The testimony from the saints of old provide a consolation to the weary traveler, “So Jacob said to Pharaoh, ‘The years of my sojourning are one hundred and thirty; few and unpleasant have been the years of my life….’” (Genesis 47:9)—the nearer to God the saint walks the more aware he is of his sin, serving to further his misery and desire to be clothed with the majesty from on high.
The Apostle Paul revealed his vulnerability and anguish over sin, “I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members…Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:23-25). Irrespective of the persistent struggle by the saint on pilgrimage he is not his own and has been bought with a price—by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. The same Lord of Hosts who—marshalling the armies of heaven—called and sanctified him by grace, will one day glorify him. All of the promises in Christ Jesus toward the saint are true and faithful because their Author is True and Faithful, for “It is impossible for God to lie….” (Hebrews 6:18), and it is into this eternal fellowship with the Son that the Father calls the saint and He will not loose him, but will raise him up on the last Day.
Therefore, rejoice! While on pilgrimage the saint is called to various places and endeavors on behalf of the King and His Kingdom, but his primary calling is to an intimate relationship with the Son of God. In glory the pilgrim will behold Him face to face and each tear of pain will be lovingly wiped away by Him who calls, and the saint will receive a new name known only to God and the saint. The tears of greatest pain to be wiped away will be those of a heart broken by sin, sin that polluted the ability to offer undefiled worship, a living sacrifice unblemished.
On pilgrimage the saint endures hardship and suffering—specialized tools in the hand of God designed to further progress in sanctification, and he is therefore perplexed in heart, for to depart and be with the Lord is far better than anything the world has to offer, and yet to remain on pilgrimage for his Master is needful and beneficial for his brethren until such time as the Lord of glory ushers him home. He who is justified and walks by faith is a conundrum to the world, which cannot comprehend Him, for the eyes of the saint on pilgrimage behold Him who is unseen and eternal, releasing that which is seen and temporal, straining and grasping for Him who is to come at which time he who is mortal will be fully clothed with Him who is immortal, when he who is corruptible is fully clothed with Him who is incorruptible, when he who is finite is fully clothed with Him who is infinite.
As Robet Moffat eloquently noted while reflecting upon the brevity of the saint’s pilgrimage, “We will have all eternity to celebrate our victories, but only one short hour before sunset in which to win them.” The Day is quickly approaching and the hour is very near, let us be wise and run with endurance the race that is set before us, laying aside every encumbrance. On pilgrimage the good steward redeems the time he is given, making the most of each opportunity Providence affords, bearing witness to the Lord Jesus Christ before all men that some may, by God’s grace, be saved.
Copyright 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever") Isaiah 40:8
J.A. Matteson
"Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass."
1 Thessalonians 5:24
On pilgrimage the Christian sojourns upon the earth as one out of place and time, passing through regions of indescribable joy, finding himself high upon the mount where the vistas are breathtaking, the air so clear as to see great distances, and the warmth of the Son intimate. At other times he is in the lowlands—the shadowy places—in the foreboding valley of darkness, groping to find his way, tenderness toward the Holy Spirit produces an unbearable heartache and misery over sin, his meddlesome companion. Cycles of spiritual victory and fleshly setbacks define the Christian’s pilgrimage and his heart aches for the day when he is permanently loosed from the rotting corpse of the old man he drags about. The testimony from the saints of old provide a consolation to the weary traveler, “So Jacob said to Pharaoh, ‘The years of my sojourning are one hundred and thirty; few and unpleasant have been the years of my life….’” (Genesis 47:9)—the nearer to God the saint walks the more aware he is of his sin, serving to further his misery and desire to be clothed with the majesty from on high.
The Apostle Paul revealed his vulnerability and anguish over sin, “I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members…Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:23-25). Irrespective of the persistent struggle by the saint on pilgrimage he is not his own and has been bought with a price—by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. The same Lord of Hosts who—marshalling the armies of heaven—called and sanctified him by grace, will one day glorify him. All of the promises in Christ Jesus toward the saint are true and faithful because their Author is True and Faithful, for “It is impossible for God to lie….” (Hebrews 6:18), and it is into this eternal fellowship with the Son that the Father calls the saint and He will not loose him, but will raise him up on the last Day.
Therefore, rejoice! While on pilgrimage the saint is called to various places and endeavors on behalf of the King and His Kingdom, but his primary calling is to an intimate relationship with the Son of God. In glory the pilgrim will behold Him face to face and each tear of pain will be lovingly wiped away by Him who calls, and the saint will receive a new name known only to God and the saint. The tears of greatest pain to be wiped away will be those of a heart broken by sin, sin that polluted the ability to offer undefiled worship, a living sacrifice unblemished.
On pilgrimage the saint endures hardship and suffering—specialized tools in the hand of God designed to further progress in sanctification, and he is therefore perplexed in heart, for to depart and be with the Lord is far better than anything the world has to offer, and yet to remain on pilgrimage for his Master is needful and beneficial for his brethren until such time as the Lord of glory ushers him home. He who is justified and walks by faith is a conundrum to the world, which cannot comprehend Him, for the eyes of the saint on pilgrimage behold Him who is unseen and eternal, releasing that which is seen and temporal, straining and grasping for Him who is to come at which time he who is mortal will be fully clothed with Him who is immortal, when he who is corruptible is fully clothed with Him who is incorruptible, when he who is finite is fully clothed with Him who is infinite.
As Robet Moffat eloquently noted while reflecting upon the brevity of the saint’s pilgrimage, “We will have all eternity to celebrate our victories, but only one short hour before sunset in which to win them.” The Day is quickly approaching and the hour is very near, let us be wise and run with endurance the race that is set before us, laying aside every encumbrance. On pilgrimage the good steward redeems the time he is given, making the most of each opportunity Providence affords, bearing witness to the Lord Jesus Christ before all men that some may, by God’s grace, be saved.
Copyright 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever") Isaiah 40:8
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Errant Particulars
04.07.09
J.A. Matteson
"For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ" 1 Thessalonians 5:9
God’s sovereign purposes and means with regard to salvation are problematic to human inclinations and reasoning. The sons of Adam by nature establish errant particulars on how things ought to be with regard to the things pertaining to salvation, chaffing under the notion that the ultimate destination of their souls is in the hands of the great I AM who extends mercy and compassion to those whom He choose while passing over others. That men stumble over the salvific aspects to sovereignty is expected as it has biblical and historical precedent. In this regard the Apostle anticipated an objection by his readers to his assertion that it was by divine election Isaac was saved and Esau damned, “What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be!” (Romans 9:14).
Behold both the kindness and severity of God: to the reprobate a hardening ending in damnation, to the elect grace unto saving faith, “having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will….” (Ephesians 1:11). The redeemed are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus and the grace they enjoy is an unmerited gift from Him. To these things men of good intention have taken opposite and passionate positions. Some holding to a deficient anthropology whereby they ascribe an undue—unbiblical—ability within fallen man to seek and respond to God apart from grace and the end result of such thinking is boasting; such is the error of the Pelagians, semi-Pelagians, and Arminians.
In their estimation it is by their doing they are in Christ; the Gospel was articulated and they responded with a faith apart from that which God supplies; while in the flesh—unregenerate—faith was exercised and they were born again. A fanciful interpretation is applied to election and predestination whereby God from eternity past gazed passively into the future and saw how each man would respond to the Gospel, some positively and others negatively. On this basis they were elected and predestined to either salvation or damnation.
The end result is a man-centered doctrine far removed from biblical revrelation. For it is the Spirit who gives life, the flesh profits nothing. God knows the course of all future events because He foreordains them to come to pass. The entire human race has rebelled against God and is worthy if eternal damnation by a just and holy Creator; all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God; there is none righteous; there is none who seek after God, each has turned to his own detestable way; each has stored up wrath for the day of wrath; the work of each being contemptible and as a filthy rag. Grace has been extended to some in the form of saving faith through the agency of the Holy Spirit through the Gospel, “In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth….” (James 1:18).
Those to whom grace is extended believe the Gospel and produce fruit in keeping with repentance and the remainder receive divine justice—the wages of sin is death— none receive injustice. But lest a man presume upon the grace of God let him make his calling and election sure and so press on toward the goal of the upward prize in Christ Jesus. Let such a man prove himself a doer of the Word and not merely a hearer, deluding himself. Let him work out his salvation with fear and trembling knowing God will not be mocked, for whatsoever a man sows that he will also reap. It is not by works that a man is saved, it is by faith alone; but it is by good works that the genuineness of his salvation is manifested, testifying to the Holy Spirit within him. In this regard the words of our Lord bear repeating, “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples” (John 15:8). Beloved, let your profession of Christ and production of good fruit be in alignment, so that God may be glorified, men may be edified, and salvation be the outworking of your time and testimony on earth.
Copyright 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever" Isaiah 40:8).
J.A. Matteson
"For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ" 1 Thessalonians 5:9
God’s sovereign purposes and means with regard to salvation are problematic to human inclinations and reasoning. The sons of Adam by nature establish errant particulars on how things ought to be with regard to the things pertaining to salvation, chaffing under the notion that the ultimate destination of their souls is in the hands of the great I AM who extends mercy and compassion to those whom He choose while passing over others. That men stumble over the salvific aspects to sovereignty is expected as it has biblical and historical precedent. In this regard the Apostle anticipated an objection by his readers to his assertion that it was by divine election Isaac was saved and Esau damned, “What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be!” (Romans 9:14).
Behold both the kindness and severity of God: to the reprobate a hardening ending in damnation, to the elect grace unto saving faith, “having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will….” (Ephesians 1:11). The redeemed are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus and the grace they enjoy is an unmerited gift from Him. To these things men of good intention have taken opposite and passionate positions. Some holding to a deficient anthropology whereby they ascribe an undue—unbiblical—ability within fallen man to seek and respond to God apart from grace and the end result of such thinking is boasting; such is the error of the Pelagians, semi-Pelagians, and Arminians.
In their estimation it is by their doing they are in Christ; the Gospel was articulated and they responded with a faith apart from that which God supplies; while in the flesh—unregenerate—faith was exercised and they were born again. A fanciful interpretation is applied to election and predestination whereby God from eternity past gazed passively into the future and saw how each man would respond to the Gospel, some positively and others negatively. On this basis they were elected and predestined to either salvation or damnation.
The end result is a man-centered doctrine far removed from biblical revrelation. For it is the Spirit who gives life, the flesh profits nothing. God knows the course of all future events because He foreordains them to come to pass. The entire human race has rebelled against God and is worthy if eternal damnation by a just and holy Creator; all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God; there is none righteous; there is none who seek after God, each has turned to his own detestable way; each has stored up wrath for the day of wrath; the work of each being contemptible and as a filthy rag. Grace has been extended to some in the form of saving faith through the agency of the Holy Spirit through the Gospel, “In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth….” (James 1:18).
Those to whom grace is extended believe the Gospel and produce fruit in keeping with repentance and the remainder receive divine justice—the wages of sin is death— none receive injustice. But lest a man presume upon the grace of God let him make his calling and election sure and so press on toward the goal of the upward prize in Christ Jesus. Let such a man prove himself a doer of the Word and not merely a hearer, deluding himself. Let him work out his salvation with fear and trembling knowing God will not be mocked, for whatsoever a man sows that he will also reap. It is not by works that a man is saved, it is by faith alone; but it is by good works that the genuineness of his salvation is manifested, testifying to the Holy Spirit within him. In this regard the words of our Lord bear repeating, “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples” (John 15:8). Beloved, let your profession of Christ and production of good fruit be in alignment, so that God may be glorified, men may be edified, and salvation be the outworking of your time and testimony on earth.
Copyright 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever" Isaiah 40:8).
Monday, April 6, 2009
The Forest of Catharsis
04.06.09
J.A. Matteson
"Epaphras…always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you might stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God." Colossians 4:12
Grace informs the saint that he stands in Christ by the sovereign will of God, removing a fleshly burden of sin and replacing it with a heavenly one for souls, “we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20). On pilgrimage grace further enlightens the saint that any hope of progress in sanctification stems from the will of Him who is over all, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification….” (1 Thessalonians 4:3) and His will is triumphant, “For the LORD of hosts has planned, and who can frustrate it….? (Isaiah 14:27). Thus mindful the Apostle boldly declares, “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).
Intriguing is the antinomy of sanctification; viz., that between the expressed intercession of the saint as directed by the Spirit; the saint who is a passive recipient of intercession; and the sovereign will of God towards the intercessor and recipient. The saint on pilgrimage approaches the edge of a dark forest—the Forest of Catharsis—through which he cannot navigate unaided and many a traveler have stopped or turned back at the sight of it, fearful of its demands. Pausing at the Forests edge while seeking to discern the way forward, a pathway is revealed by One who has gone before. A short way into the Forest the saint comes to the Pond of Reflection whose waters are strangely turbulent while the air is calm. Kneeling down at the waters edge a strong wind blows over the water making it as still as glass. Gazing into the pond the saint beholds in the reflection four hideous foes intent on hindering his progress through the Forest; their names are Presumption, Vain-Glory, Hypocrisy, and Haste. He rises in dreadful fury to confront them when a mighty roar blasts out of the darkness and One appears whose form is like that of a victorious Lion, wielding a mighty double-edged sword, exclaiming, “…the man who is unclean and does not purify himself from uncleanness, that person shall be cut off…because he has defiled the sanctuary of the LORD; the water for impurity has not been sprinkled on him, he is unclean” (Numbers 19:20). Fearful that he may be cut to shreds the saint finds assurance in the words of the Apostle, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). He asks that the words of his mouth and the editation of his heart be acceptable to Him who is fearfully awesome.
With his foes vanquished by Him the saint resumes the path towards a distant light, its illumination growing brighter than the sun as he approaches, thick smoke filling the Forest. Drawing closer the saint gazes in wonder at a division of trees laid asunder, trees that formerly separated Him who mercifully sits as righteous judge upon a throne, whose crimson robe fills the floor of the Forest, and whose name is the Lamb of God. Passing through the division of trees he cautiously approaches the throne, its brilliance causing him to fall to the ground as a dead man. The saint feels the gentle hand of Him upon his shoulder and is instructed to arise and be not afraid, for, “…He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25). Accepted in the Beloved he lays his heavenly burden at His feet, speaking to Him of those with whom he remains vigilant “…whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you” (Galatians 4:19). And the Lamb speaks to the saint about those who comprise his burden. Emerging from the Forest on the Son lit plane the saint joyfully directs his brethren to the narrow path at the Forest’s edge, whose end is the enchanting beauty of the Lamb.
Copyright 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:80
J.A. Matteson
"Epaphras…always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you might stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God." Colossians 4:12
Grace informs the saint that he stands in Christ by the sovereign will of God, removing a fleshly burden of sin and replacing it with a heavenly one for souls, “we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20). On pilgrimage grace further enlightens the saint that any hope of progress in sanctification stems from the will of Him who is over all, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification….” (1 Thessalonians 4:3) and His will is triumphant, “For the LORD of hosts has planned, and who can frustrate it….? (Isaiah 14:27). Thus mindful the Apostle boldly declares, “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).
Intriguing is the antinomy of sanctification; viz., that between the expressed intercession of the saint as directed by the Spirit; the saint who is a passive recipient of intercession; and the sovereign will of God towards the intercessor and recipient. The saint on pilgrimage approaches the edge of a dark forest—the Forest of Catharsis—through which he cannot navigate unaided and many a traveler have stopped or turned back at the sight of it, fearful of its demands. Pausing at the Forests edge while seeking to discern the way forward, a pathway is revealed by One who has gone before. A short way into the Forest the saint comes to the Pond of Reflection whose waters are strangely turbulent while the air is calm. Kneeling down at the waters edge a strong wind blows over the water making it as still as glass. Gazing into the pond the saint beholds in the reflection four hideous foes intent on hindering his progress through the Forest; their names are Presumption, Vain-Glory, Hypocrisy, and Haste. He rises in dreadful fury to confront them when a mighty roar blasts out of the darkness and One appears whose form is like that of a victorious Lion, wielding a mighty double-edged sword, exclaiming, “…the man who is unclean and does not purify himself from uncleanness, that person shall be cut off…because he has defiled the sanctuary of the LORD; the water for impurity has not been sprinkled on him, he is unclean” (Numbers 19:20). Fearful that he may be cut to shreds the saint finds assurance in the words of the Apostle, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). He asks that the words of his mouth and the editation of his heart be acceptable to Him who is fearfully awesome.
With his foes vanquished by Him the saint resumes the path towards a distant light, its illumination growing brighter than the sun as he approaches, thick smoke filling the Forest. Drawing closer the saint gazes in wonder at a division of trees laid asunder, trees that formerly separated Him who mercifully sits as righteous judge upon a throne, whose crimson robe fills the floor of the Forest, and whose name is the Lamb of God. Passing through the division of trees he cautiously approaches the throne, its brilliance causing him to fall to the ground as a dead man. The saint feels the gentle hand of Him upon his shoulder and is instructed to arise and be not afraid, for, “…He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25). Accepted in the Beloved he lays his heavenly burden at His feet, speaking to Him of those with whom he remains vigilant “…whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you” (Galatians 4:19). And the Lamb speaks to the saint about those who comprise his burden. Emerging from the Forest on the Son lit plane the saint joyfully directs his brethren to the narrow path at the Forest’s edge, whose end is the enchanting beauty of the Lamb.
Copyright 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:80
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