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