J.A. Matteson
10.14.09
"The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26
Pilgrim, you are the object of favorable divine attention, that which is unmerited, immutable, incomprehensible, and immanent, a passive recipient of the glory of the LORD. Those living under the sun faun before human authority in the hope of receiving favor from men, they aspire to receive unto themselves a fading glory as a result of some meritorious act, yet as the wilting wildflower slowly disappears in autumn so too the glory of men vanishes as quickly as the mist of an ocean breaker.
Speaking to the Israelites Moses pronounces and proclaims divine blessing upon them, and later reminds them that the LORD’s favor is due to nothing in them but is solely by His grace, “The LORD did not set His affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the LORD loved you and kept the oath He swore to your forefathers that He brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commands” (Deut. 7:7-9).
The LORD of glory, who by the omnipotence of His seed within you, has raised you from spiritual death to life, it both has and is sanctifying you to Himself as His special possession for His purposes, as such you have been adopted into His family and granted all manor of benefits as a joint heir with Jesus Christ, and His seed within is keeping you in a state of grace, by which you were foreknown and predestined to salvation before the foundation of the world, and whereby in the fullness of time He effectually called and sealed you by His Spirit who is a deposit of your future inheritance and glorification in the Beloved. Faithful is He who called you and He will bring to completion that which He initiated in you, “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass” (1 Thess. 5:23-24).
The shining glory of the LORD’s face upon you is evident to the world in which you have been called as His ambassador, a glory that does not fade away in the likeness of Moses, yet rather grows in intensity year by year, “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit” (2 Cor. 3:18). The LORD by His grace is providentially engineering the circumstances of your earthly pilgrimage for your sanctification and His glory. Beloved, knowing the LORD’s immeasurable love towards you and that He is able to transform for good any evil which touches your life, you may with great confidence join the Apostle in rejoicing, not in the adversity, but in the knowledge that the LORD is guarding you and keeping watch over your soul, not allowing anything to touch you to inflict permanent spiritual harm but to establish you in grace, “…knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance” (Jas. 1:3). And the LORD’s grace that shines upon you is a never ending grace, it is perpetual, “How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I awake, I am still with You” (Ps. 139:17-18).
What, therefore, shall we say to these marvelous promises, but that their recipient is to enjoy the intimate presence of the LORD and with it His peace which surpasses understanding. The Prince of Peace knows your name and has called you individually to enter into His rest. Let us therefore give praise to the King immortal to Whom belongs all glory, power, and honor. Amen!
Copyright (c) 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa 40:8).
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
The Meaning of "World" in John 3:16
By Dr. Arthur W. Pink (J.A. Matteson footnote to Pink at the conclusion)
It may appear to some of our readers that the exposition we have given of John 3:16 in the chapter on "Difficulties and Objections" is a forced and unnatural one, inasmuch as our definition of the term "world" seems to be out of harmony with the meaning and scope of this word in other passages, where, to supply the world of believers (God’s elect) as a definition of "world" would make no sense. Many have said to us, "Surely, ‘world’ means world, that is, you, me, and everybody." In reply we would say: We know from experience how difficult it is to set aside the "traditions of men" and come to a passage which we have heard explained in a certain way scores of times, and study it carefully for ourselves without bias. Nevertheless, this is essential if we would learn the mind of God.
Many people suppose they already know the simple meaning of John 3:16, and therefore they conclude that no diligent study is required of them to discover the precise teaching of this verse. Needless to say, such an attitude shuts out any further light which they otherwise might obtain on the passage. Yet, if anyone will take a Concordance and read carefully the various passages in which the term "world" (as a translation of "kosmos") occurs, he will quickly perceive that to ascertain the precise meaning of the word "world" in any given passage is not nearly so easy as is popularly supposed. The word "kosmos" and its English equivalent "world" is not used with a uniform significance in the New Testament, far from it. It is used in quite a number of different ways. Below we will refer to a few passages where this term occurs, suggesting a tentative definition in each case:
"Kosmos" is used of the Universe as a whole: Acts 17: 24 - "God that made the world and all things therein seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth."
"Kosmos" is used of the earth: John 13:1; Eph. 1:4, etc.- "When Jesus knew that his hour was come that He should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved His own which were in the world He loved them unto the end." "Depart out of this world" signifies leaving this earth. "According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world." This expression signifies a time before the earth was founded—compare to Job 38:4.
"Kosmos" is used of the world-system: John 12:31 etc. "Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the Prince of this world be cast out"— compare to Matt. 4:8 and I John 5:19, R. V.
“Kosmos" is used of the whole human race: Rom. 3: 19, etc.—"Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God."
"Kosmos" is used of humanity minus believers: John 15:18; Rom. 3:6, "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated Me before it hated you." Believers do not "hate" Christ, so that "the world" here must signify the world of unbelievers in contrast from believers who love Christ. "God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world." Here is another passage where "the world" cannot mean "you, me, and everybody," for believers will not be "judged" by God, see John 5:24. So that here, too, it must be the world of unbelievers which is in view.
"Kosmos" is used of Gentiles in contrast from Jews: Rom. 11:12 etc. "Now if the fall of them (Israel) be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them (Israel) the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their (Israel’s) fullness." Here, again, "the world" cannot signify all humanity for it excludes Israel!
"Kosmos" is used of believers only: John 1:29; 3:16, 17; 6:33; 12;47; I Cor. 4:9; 2 Cor. 5:19. We leave our readers to turn to these passages, asking them to note, carefully, exactly what is said and predicated of "the world" in each place. Thus it will be seen that "kosmos" has at least seven clearly defined different meanings in the New Testament. It may be asked, has then God used a word thus to confuse and confound those who read the Scriptures? We answer, No! Nor has He written His Word for lazy people who are too dilatory, or too busy with the things of this world,or, like Martha, so much occupied with "serving" they have no time and no heart to "search" and "study" Holy Writ. Should it be asked further, but how is a searcher of the Scriptures to know which of the above meanings the term "world" has in any given passage? The answer is: this may be ascertained by a careful study of the context, by diligently noting what is predicated of "the world" in each passage, and by prayer fully consulting other parallel passages to the one being studied (Scripture interprets Scripture).
The principal subject of John 3:16 is Christ as the Gift of God. The first clause tells us what moved God to "give" His only begotten Son, and that was His great "love;" the second clause informs us for whom God "gave" His Son, and that is for, "whosoever (or, better, ‘every one’) believeth;" while the last clause makes known why God "gave" His Son (His purpose), and that is, that everyone that believeth "should not perish but have everlasting life." That "the world" in John 3:16 refers to the world of believers (God’s elect), in contradiction from "the world of the ungodly" (2 Pet. 2:5), is established, unequivocally established, by a comparison of the other passages which speak of God’s "love." "God commendeth His love toward US"—the saints, Rom. 5:8. "Whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth"—every son, Heb. 12:6. "We love Him, because He first loved US"—believers, 1 John 4:19. The wicked God "pities" (see Matt. 18:33). Unto the unthankful and evil God is "kind" (see Luke 6:35). The vessels of wrath He endures "with much long-suffering" (see Rom. 9:22). But "His own" God "loves."
J.A. Matteson footnote to Pink
John’s reference to “whosoever” pertains to those who have believed, do believe, and will believe, and believers biblically speaking are the “elect”—the only ones who believe—those who by means of grace, as manifested in the Holy Spirit’s initiative through regeneration, most certainly come to repentance and faith, “When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, "Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life” (Acts 11:18), and “Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed” (Acts 13:48). The Lord Jesus Christ stressed the imperative of the divine initiative in salvation while speaking to Nicodemus, “Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God’” (John 3:3).
The use of the word “unless” by the Lord underscores a necessary condition. In order for a sinner who is spiritually dead in trespasses and sins, in a state of bondage and rebellion, one who is spiritually blind to truth, spiritually deaf to the Word of Life, and in all ways cut off from God, in order for such a person in this hopeless condition to “choose Christ” they must first be given a new nature, one that desires Christ; they must be “born again” and the initiative of their regeneration lies with the Holy Spirit. Through regeneration the sinner is given a new nature (circumcision of the heart—a heart of flesh replaces a heart of stone), one that desires Christ, and it is at that moment sinners outwardly positively respond to the Gospel, longing for Christ and willingly coming to Him of their own accord, the One whom they formerly loathed or at best were indifferent to, “And I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them. And I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statutes and keep My ordinances and do them. Then they will be My people, and I shall be their God” (Ezekiel 11:19-20).
According to the Lord Jesus Christ regeneration precedes faith which is a response to the work of the Holy Spirit in the heart, “who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:13). The Apostle Peter also underscores the divine initiative, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope….” (1 Peter 1:3).
Any who insist that the unregenerate sinner, by his own initiative will desire Christ and come to Him, thus subsequently being “born again” stands in direct opposition to the plain teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ, the apostles, and the whole of Scripture, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God….” (Ephesians 2:8). With regard to salvation, grace manifested by divine initiative is the cause, the divine gift of faith is the means, spiritual life is the effect, and obedience unto sanctification and ultimate glory is the result, “By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments” (1 John 2:3), and, “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified” (Romans 8:29-30).
The Apostle Paul elaborates on the focal point of his tireless evangelistic enterprises, “Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory” (2 Tim. 2:10). As the Lord Jesus in His high priestly prayer (John 17:9) did not pray for the reprobate “world”, neither did the apostle labor for them, but for the elect. Paul understood that the non-elect, those that remain in an unregenerate state, those faceless people shrouded in the mystery of the secret council of the Lord from eternity, would never come to Christ, for their wills are not free, but rather in bondage to sin and death—and by nature they will by necessity choose in accordance to their desires, and their depraved desire is independence from their Creator, which is in keeping with their fallen Adamic nature, for it does not desire Christ; therefore, left to themselves they will reject Him to their own peril and eternal damnation.
The elect, those foreknown to the Lord before the foundation of the world, represent every people group on the earth, properly representing every demographic as well: the rich and poor, educated and ignorant, mighty and lowly, young and old. In this regard “whosoever” is an acknowledgement that the true sons of Abraham in the likeness of faith are the sheep the Father gave to His Son, those given to the Son by the Father before the foundation of the earth, who in due time are “called” to faith by the ministry of the Word of the Lord through the agency of the Holy Spirit; indeed, those who represent the “whosoever” have been given “ears to hear” and a pliable will—the fruit of a new nature—to positively respond to the grace of God. In describing those who are His own the Lord Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:27-28). Grace is amazing, indeed!
It may appear to some of our readers that the exposition we have given of John 3:16 in the chapter on "Difficulties and Objections" is a forced and unnatural one, inasmuch as our definition of the term "world" seems to be out of harmony with the meaning and scope of this word in other passages, where, to supply the world of believers (God’s elect) as a definition of "world" would make no sense. Many have said to us, "Surely, ‘world’ means world, that is, you, me, and everybody." In reply we would say: We know from experience how difficult it is to set aside the "traditions of men" and come to a passage which we have heard explained in a certain way scores of times, and study it carefully for ourselves without bias. Nevertheless, this is essential if we would learn the mind of God.
Many people suppose they already know the simple meaning of John 3:16, and therefore they conclude that no diligent study is required of them to discover the precise teaching of this verse. Needless to say, such an attitude shuts out any further light which they otherwise might obtain on the passage. Yet, if anyone will take a Concordance and read carefully the various passages in which the term "world" (as a translation of "kosmos") occurs, he will quickly perceive that to ascertain the precise meaning of the word "world" in any given passage is not nearly so easy as is popularly supposed. The word "kosmos" and its English equivalent "world" is not used with a uniform significance in the New Testament, far from it. It is used in quite a number of different ways. Below we will refer to a few passages where this term occurs, suggesting a tentative definition in each case:
"Kosmos" is used of the Universe as a whole: Acts 17: 24 - "God that made the world and all things therein seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth."
"Kosmos" is used of the earth: John 13:1; Eph. 1:4, etc.- "When Jesus knew that his hour was come that He should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved His own which were in the world He loved them unto the end." "Depart out of this world" signifies leaving this earth. "According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world." This expression signifies a time before the earth was founded—compare to Job 38:4.
"Kosmos" is used of the world-system: John 12:31 etc. "Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the Prince of this world be cast out"— compare to Matt. 4:8 and I John 5:19, R. V.
“Kosmos" is used of the whole human race: Rom. 3: 19, etc.—"Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God."
"Kosmos" is used of humanity minus believers: John 15:18; Rom. 3:6, "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated Me before it hated you." Believers do not "hate" Christ, so that "the world" here must signify the world of unbelievers in contrast from believers who love Christ. "God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world." Here is another passage where "the world" cannot mean "you, me, and everybody," for believers will not be "judged" by God, see John 5:24. So that here, too, it must be the world of unbelievers which is in view.
"Kosmos" is used of Gentiles in contrast from Jews: Rom. 11:12 etc. "Now if the fall of them (Israel) be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them (Israel) the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their (Israel’s) fullness." Here, again, "the world" cannot signify all humanity for it excludes Israel!
"Kosmos" is used of believers only: John 1:29; 3:16, 17; 6:33; 12;47; I Cor. 4:9; 2 Cor. 5:19. We leave our readers to turn to these passages, asking them to note, carefully, exactly what is said and predicated of "the world" in each place. Thus it will be seen that "kosmos" has at least seven clearly defined different meanings in the New Testament. It may be asked, has then God used a word thus to confuse and confound those who read the Scriptures? We answer, No! Nor has He written His Word for lazy people who are too dilatory, or too busy with the things of this world,or, like Martha, so much occupied with "serving" they have no time and no heart to "search" and "study" Holy Writ. Should it be asked further, but how is a searcher of the Scriptures to know which of the above meanings the term "world" has in any given passage? The answer is: this may be ascertained by a careful study of the context, by diligently noting what is predicated of "the world" in each passage, and by prayer fully consulting other parallel passages to the one being studied (Scripture interprets Scripture).
The principal subject of John 3:16 is Christ as the Gift of God. The first clause tells us what moved God to "give" His only begotten Son, and that was His great "love;" the second clause informs us for whom God "gave" His Son, and that is for, "whosoever (or, better, ‘every one’) believeth;" while the last clause makes known why God "gave" His Son (His purpose), and that is, that everyone that believeth "should not perish but have everlasting life." That "the world" in John 3:16 refers to the world of believers (God’s elect), in contradiction from "the world of the ungodly" (2 Pet. 2:5), is established, unequivocally established, by a comparison of the other passages which speak of God’s "love." "God commendeth His love toward US"—the saints, Rom. 5:8. "Whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth"—every son, Heb. 12:6. "We love Him, because He first loved US"—believers, 1 John 4:19. The wicked God "pities" (see Matt. 18:33). Unto the unthankful and evil God is "kind" (see Luke 6:35). The vessels of wrath He endures "with much long-suffering" (see Rom. 9:22). But "His own" God "loves."
J.A. Matteson footnote to Pink
John’s reference to “whosoever” pertains to those who have believed, do believe, and will believe, and believers biblically speaking are the “elect”—the only ones who believe—those who by means of grace, as manifested in the Holy Spirit’s initiative through regeneration, most certainly come to repentance and faith, “When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, "Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life” (Acts 11:18), and “Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed” (Acts 13:48). The Lord Jesus Christ stressed the imperative of the divine initiative in salvation while speaking to Nicodemus, “Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God’” (John 3:3).
The use of the word “unless” by the Lord underscores a necessary condition. In order for a sinner who is spiritually dead in trespasses and sins, in a state of bondage and rebellion, one who is spiritually blind to truth, spiritually deaf to the Word of Life, and in all ways cut off from God, in order for such a person in this hopeless condition to “choose Christ” they must first be given a new nature, one that desires Christ; they must be “born again” and the initiative of their regeneration lies with the Holy Spirit. Through regeneration the sinner is given a new nature (circumcision of the heart—a heart of flesh replaces a heart of stone), one that desires Christ, and it is at that moment sinners outwardly positively respond to the Gospel, longing for Christ and willingly coming to Him of their own accord, the One whom they formerly loathed or at best were indifferent to, “And I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them. And I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statutes and keep My ordinances and do them. Then they will be My people, and I shall be their God” (Ezekiel 11:19-20).
According to the Lord Jesus Christ regeneration precedes faith which is a response to the work of the Holy Spirit in the heart, “who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:13). The Apostle Peter also underscores the divine initiative, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope….” (1 Peter 1:3).
Any who insist that the unregenerate sinner, by his own initiative will desire Christ and come to Him, thus subsequently being “born again” stands in direct opposition to the plain teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ, the apostles, and the whole of Scripture, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God….” (Ephesians 2:8). With regard to salvation, grace manifested by divine initiative is the cause, the divine gift of faith is the means, spiritual life is the effect, and obedience unto sanctification and ultimate glory is the result, “By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments” (1 John 2:3), and, “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified” (Romans 8:29-30).
The Apostle Paul elaborates on the focal point of his tireless evangelistic enterprises, “Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory” (2 Tim. 2:10). As the Lord Jesus in His high priestly prayer (John 17:9) did not pray for the reprobate “world”, neither did the apostle labor for them, but for the elect. Paul understood that the non-elect, those that remain in an unregenerate state, those faceless people shrouded in the mystery of the secret council of the Lord from eternity, would never come to Christ, for their wills are not free, but rather in bondage to sin and death—and by nature they will by necessity choose in accordance to their desires, and their depraved desire is independence from their Creator, which is in keeping with their fallen Adamic nature, for it does not desire Christ; therefore, left to themselves they will reject Him to their own peril and eternal damnation.
The elect, those foreknown to the Lord before the foundation of the world, represent every people group on the earth, properly representing every demographic as well: the rich and poor, educated and ignorant, mighty and lowly, young and old. In this regard “whosoever” is an acknowledgement that the true sons of Abraham in the likeness of faith are the sheep the Father gave to His Son, those given to the Son by the Father before the foundation of the earth, who in due time are “called” to faith by the ministry of the Word of the Lord through the agency of the Holy Spirit; indeed, those who represent the “whosoever” have been given “ears to hear” and a pliable will—the fruit of a new nature—to positively respond to the grace of God. In describing those who are His own the Lord Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:27-28). Grace is amazing, indeed!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Flee
10.01.09
J.A. Matteson
"Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am the LORD your God." Leviticus 20:7
As a pilgrim you are an ordinary individual, but one who has been miraculously translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light, a soul that by grace has been regenerated and converted to life in the Beloved. Instantaneously you received an imputed righteous—a righteousness not your own—by means of the atonement, and are now positionally justified by grace through faith in Christ.
Infused with a new nature by the Holy Spirit the Lord has set you free from the fetters of bondage to sin and death, although practically you must learn to walk in that freedom by struggling against the latent desires of the flesh, characterized by improper thoughts, words, and deeds. Like Israel occupying a new land you are a sojourner and the Lord calls you to abstain from the wicked practices of the pagan people who dwell among you.
You are foreigner in the land, your citizenship being in heaven, and while you sojourn you are not to be swayed into worshipping the gods recognized by the peoples around you; indeed, some that you personally may have adored before your life in Christ. You are now called to be as salt and light to a fallen world. While separate in conduct and devotion you do not have the option of physically withdrawing out of the world as the monastics, for to do so would nullify your influence as an ambassador of Christ to the nations.
The gods of the people around you today are essentially the same as those of old, although their form and names may have changed; predictably they grow in the depraved soil of minds hostile to the Lord, those in rebellion against the Lord of Hosts, dedicated to the pursuit of power over others through position; fame rooted in a vain search for significance in the eyes of others also living under the sun; sensual depravity as a result of a debased mind evidenced by a pornographic and homosexual culture, one that deceives the simple by championing and parading indecent acts as an expression of enlightened personal liberty, when bondage to sin remains the genuine outcome; and an insatiable pursuit for worldly wealth whereby its adherents pit themselves against each other in the hope of its attainment, biting and clawing their way to the top of the heap.
Pilgrim, these types of pursuits occupy the attention and fan the flames of passion among those who do not know God, but they are to have no place in your heart. Flee from them at once, run for your life when they subtlety and seductively seek to take hold of you, cleverly appealing to the old man within. Like Joseph make up your mind before the test comes that you will not willingly sin against God, when the test comes run for your life, flee immediately…right now, get going, do not tarry and thus be deceived in to thinking you are able to remain and calmly consider the merits or faults of the proposition offered, rather get out of there now, leave your garment and exit in haste, “She caught him by his garment, saying, ‘Lie with me!’ And he left his garment in her hand and fled, and went outside” (Gen. 39:12).
Beloved, spiritual syncretism is seductively subtle, able to slowly trap you in its web of lies if you remain ignorant of its intent and abilities, until one day you come to your senses only to grieve as to just how far off course you have traveled in your sojourning, and like Bunyan’s Pilgrim you find yourself backtracking a good distance, dismayed at how easily you were duped while vowing never again to be taken in by the prince of darkness.
Consider the Apostles warning, “But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust” (Jas. 1:14). The innate lust of the flesh remains within you and you must daily mortify its desires which wage war against the Spirit. Prevailing soldiers know the tactics of their enemy and have taken a sober assessment of their weakness before engaging their opponent. Offer to the Lord your points of weakness before the battle and He will enable you to stand on that day victorious just as Joseph on that day stood victorious as an ambassador of Christ.
Copyright (c) 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
J.A. Matteson
"Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am the LORD your God." Leviticus 20:7
As a pilgrim you are an ordinary individual, but one who has been miraculously translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light, a soul that by grace has been regenerated and converted to life in the Beloved. Instantaneously you received an imputed righteous—a righteousness not your own—by means of the atonement, and are now positionally justified by grace through faith in Christ.
Infused with a new nature by the Holy Spirit the Lord has set you free from the fetters of bondage to sin and death, although practically you must learn to walk in that freedom by struggling against the latent desires of the flesh, characterized by improper thoughts, words, and deeds. Like Israel occupying a new land you are a sojourner and the Lord calls you to abstain from the wicked practices of the pagan people who dwell among you.
You are foreigner in the land, your citizenship being in heaven, and while you sojourn you are not to be swayed into worshipping the gods recognized by the peoples around you; indeed, some that you personally may have adored before your life in Christ. You are now called to be as salt and light to a fallen world. While separate in conduct and devotion you do not have the option of physically withdrawing out of the world as the monastics, for to do so would nullify your influence as an ambassador of Christ to the nations.
The gods of the people around you today are essentially the same as those of old, although their form and names may have changed; predictably they grow in the depraved soil of minds hostile to the Lord, those in rebellion against the Lord of Hosts, dedicated to the pursuit of power over others through position; fame rooted in a vain search for significance in the eyes of others also living under the sun; sensual depravity as a result of a debased mind evidenced by a pornographic and homosexual culture, one that deceives the simple by championing and parading indecent acts as an expression of enlightened personal liberty, when bondage to sin remains the genuine outcome; and an insatiable pursuit for worldly wealth whereby its adherents pit themselves against each other in the hope of its attainment, biting and clawing their way to the top of the heap.
Pilgrim, these types of pursuits occupy the attention and fan the flames of passion among those who do not know God, but they are to have no place in your heart. Flee from them at once, run for your life when they subtlety and seductively seek to take hold of you, cleverly appealing to the old man within. Like Joseph make up your mind before the test comes that you will not willingly sin against God, when the test comes run for your life, flee immediately…right now, get going, do not tarry and thus be deceived in to thinking you are able to remain and calmly consider the merits or faults of the proposition offered, rather get out of there now, leave your garment and exit in haste, “She caught him by his garment, saying, ‘Lie with me!’ And he left his garment in her hand and fled, and went outside” (Gen. 39:12).
Beloved, spiritual syncretism is seductively subtle, able to slowly trap you in its web of lies if you remain ignorant of its intent and abilities, until one day you come to your senses only to grieve as to just how far off course you have traveled in your sojourning, and like Bunyan’s Pilgrim you find yourself backtracking a good distance, dismayed at how easily you were duped while vowing never again to be taken in by the prince of darkness.
Consider the Apostles warning, “But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust” (Jas. 1:14). The innate lust of the flesh remains within you and you must daily mortify its desires which wage war against the Spirit. Prevailing soldiers know the tactics of their enemy and have taken a sober assessment of their weakness before engaging their opponent. Offer to the Lord your points of weakness before the battle and He will enable you to stand on that day victorious just as Joseph on that day stood victorious as an ambassador of Christ.
Copyright (c) 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
Monday, September 21, 2009
Holy Retribution
09-21-09
J.A. Matteson
"And fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD." Leviticus 10:1-2
The same divine fire which earlier sanctified Nadab and Abihu to the priesthood now lethally consumes them. The office to which they were divinely elected represented a sacred trust, they were to intercede before the Lord on behalf of the sins of the people, and to the people they were to make known the oracles of the Lord. The brevity of their service is underscored and so is their glaring sin.
After leaving Egypt the Lord revealed to Moses and Aaron that Israel was to perpetually offer to Him a morning and evening (twilight) sacrifice, “The one lamb you shall offer in the morning and the other lamb you shall offer at twilight...The other lamb you shall offer at twilight, and shall offer with it the same grain offering and the same drink offering as in the morning, for a soothing aroma, an offering by fire to the LORD” (Ex. 29:39, 41). The blood of the sacrifice was placed on the horns of the altar and poured out at its base to symbolically illustrate that life belongs to the Lord, hence the prohibition to eat meat with blood, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement” (Lev. 17:11).
It would appear that Nadab and Abihu, the Lord’s representatives before Israel, were guilty of self-willed worship that trifled with the clear commands previously stated. The morning sacrifice had already been offered and it may have been mid-day when the offense took place (Lev. 9:17). It is also plausible that the brothers were intoxicated which would account for the subsequent stern warning from the Lord to Aaron (Lev. 10:9). It is likely that the men were guilty of not sanctifying the Lord in their hearts to obey His commands, thus profaning His name before the people, a grievous sin, one that was met with swift and holy retribution before the people.
The quintessential attribute of the Lord is His holiness, or transcendent otherness, and He typically does not excuse anyone who willfully diminishes it. Perhaps Nadab and Abihu in their intoxicated state were goaded by the people to offer them a dazzling show of fire from heaven as before. The scene may be reminiscent of Aaron being goaded by the people to fashion the golden calf (Ex. 32:4). Seeking the glory of men they acquiesced and presented an offering at mid-day not authorized by the Lord, and He quickly brought down the dazzling fire the people had hoped for, but ironically the brothers ended up being the sacrifice, receiving justice instead of mercy, “…for the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23).
The application of this historical event remains; viz., those who draw near to the Lord in worship must come on His terms and not their own, especially those sanctified to service in ministerial positions within the Church, for they are to be examples of holiness before the flock. The Lord does not suffer fools who seek the vain glory of men and will hold them accountable for their sin, what they sew they will reap for the Lord of Glory will not be mocked. After the death of Nadab and Abihu a healthy fear of the Lord came upon Aarron, his remaining sons, and the people, a reverence which brought spiritual cleansing to the camp.
The same type of spiritual cleansing is seen again in the early church after the death of Ananias and Sapphira, “So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things…yet none of the rest dared to join them, but the people esteemed them highly” (Acts 5:5, 13). The insincere and superficial “professors” stayed away from the pious followers of Christ in fear of their lives.
Beloved, as a holy priesthood in Christ, we may draw near to the Lord with confidence, so long as we do so with a heart circumcised through obedience and reverence to His holy name (Heb. 4:16), but woe to the man or woman who tramples upon the holiness of God in worship in exchange for the fleeting glory sought from sinners. Let not that person expect to receive anything from the Lord but holy retribution.
Copyright (c) 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
J.A. Matteson
"And fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD." Leviticus 10:1-2
The same divine fire which earlier sanctified Nadab and Abihu to the priesthood now lethally consumes them. The office to which they were divinely elected represented a sacred trust, they were to intercede before the Lord on behalf of the sins of the people, and to the people they were to make known the oracles of the Lord. The brevity of their service is underscored and so is their glaring sin.
After leaving Egypt the Lord revealed to Moses and Aaron that Israel was to perpetually offer to Him a morning and evening (twilight) sacrifice, “The one lamb you shall offer in the morning and the other lamb you shall offer at twilight...The other lamb you shall offer at twilight, and shall offer with it the same grain offering and the same drink offering as in the morning, for a soothing aroma, an offering by fire to the LORD” (Ex. 29:39, 41). The blood of the sacrifice was placed on the horns of the altar and poured out at its base to symbolically illustrate that life belongs to the Lord, hence the prohibition to eat meat with blood, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement” (Lev. 17:11).
It would appear that Nadab and Abihu, the Lord’s representatives before Israel, were guilty of self-willed worship that trifled with the clear commands previously stated. The morning sacrifice had already been offered and it may have been mid-day when the offense took place (Lev. 9:17). It is also plausible that the brothers were intoxicated which would account for the subsequent stern warning from the Lord to Aaron (Lev. 10:9). It is likely that the men were guilty of not sanctifying the Lord in their hearts to obey His commands, thus profaning His name before the people, a grievous sin, one that was met with swift and holy retribution before the people.
The quintessential attribute of the Lord is His holiness, or transcendent otherness, and He typically does not excuse anyone who willfully diminishes it. Perhaps Nadab and Abihu in their intoxicated state were goaded by the people to offer them a dazzling show of fire from heaven as before. The scene may be reminiscent of Aaron being goaded by the people to fashion the golden calf (Ex. 32:4). Seeking the glory of men they acquiesced and presented an offering at mid-day not authorized by the Lord, and He quickly brought down the dazzling fire the people had hoped for, but ironically the brothers ended up being the sacrifice, receiving justice instead of mercy, “…for the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23).
The application of this historical event remains; viz., those who draw near to the Lord in worship must come on His terms and not their own, especially those sanctified to service in ministerial positions within the Church, for they are to be examples of holiness before the flock. The Lord does not suffer fools who seek the vain glory of men and will hold them accountable for their sin, what they sew they will reap for the Lord of Glory will not be mocked. After the death of Nadab and Abihu a healthy fear of the Lord came upon Aarron, his remaining sons, and the people, a reverence which brought spiritual cleansing to the camp.
The same type of spiritual cleansing is seen again in the early church after the death of Ananias and Sapphira, “So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things…yet none of the rest dared to join them, but the people esteemed them highly” (Acts 5:5, 13). The insincere and superficial “professors” stayed away from the pious followers of Christ in fear of their lives.
Beloved, as a holy priesthood in Christ, we may draw near to the Lord with confidence, so long as we do so with a heart circumcised through obedience and reverence to His holy name (Heb. 4:16), but woe to the man or woman who tramples upon the holiness of God in worship in exchange for the fleeting glory sought from sinners. Let not that person expect to receive anything from the Lord but holy retribution.
Copyright (c) 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Naked and Condemned
09.17.09
J.A. Matteson
"Now if anyone of the common people sins unintentionally in doing any of the things which the LORD has commanded not to be done, and becomes guilty…." Leviticus 4:27
If, as Scripture testifies, God is moral, then by necessity in accordance to His own character a future time of reckoning will come to pass when the wickedness of men will be judged by Him who is altogether righteous. The sons of Adam walk about on the face of the earth and their existence is feeble before the eyes of Him with whom they must give an account.
Spiritually blind and deaf and unbeknownst to them, their daily wanderings are chronicled perfectly; indeed, every dark thought entertained in the inner recesses of the mind is captured, each careless word spoken in haste recorded, all their deeds motivated by pride, greed, and avarice will be laid bare before the Lord of Glory. Blissfully ignorant of his immanent peril the sinner stands naked and condemned before His judge (Jn. 3:18), vulnerable, and his moment-by-moment existence is by the mercy of the Lord, "Yet how often is the lamp of the wicked snuffed out? How often does calamity come upon them, the fate God allots in his anger? How often are they like straw before the wind, like chaff swept away by a gale?” (Job 21:17-18).
Sinner, you have suppressed the reality of your plight, denying any awareness of the certain doom and destruction which awaits you (Rom. 1:18). You know in your heart—your conscience bearing witness—you are guilty of transgressing the righteousness of God—your defiled mind is still able to convict you of wrong, but you muse to yourself that all appears to be going well, you continue to prosper in every way and even enjoy good health, and your past acts of wickedness have not been exposed by others or met with divine retribution, you have convinced yourself that you have gone unnoticed.
You fool! With every breath you are storing up for yourself divine wrath, for the day of divine retribution is near where the fury of the Lord of Hosts will be unleashed against you; hear the Apostle, “because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when His righteous judgment will be revealed’ (Rom. 2:5). As an ant in the path of a tornado or a gnat at ground zero of a nuclear blast you will be obliterated in an instant, mercy will be withheld, your pleas will be unheard, and your eternal demise sealed, “But since you rejected Me when I called and no one gave heed when I stretched out My hand, since you ignored all My advice and would not accept My rebuke, I in turn will laugh at your disaster; I will mock when calamity overtakes you—when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you. Then they will call to Me but I will not answer; they will look for Me but will not find Me. Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord….” (Pr. 1:26-29).
In your ignorance you have repeatedly transgressed the Law of God throughout your life, and on judgment day claiming ignorance of the Law will not be an adequate defense as the righteousness of the Lord demands that justice be metered out in order to preserve His quintessential character of holiness. By grace the Lord sent forth His Son, Jesus Christ, who suffered and died for sinners as their substitute with the wrath of God poured out on Him, as a result all who look to Him in faith as their sin bearer will be passed over when the fury of the wrath of God is revealed, “It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners….” (1 Tim. 1:15).
On judgment day you can either stand before God and attempt to defend yourself—in which case you will be consigned to hell; or, you can have the Advocate, the Lord Jesus Christ, plead your defense in which case you will be acquitted and spend eternity in heaven. The time is near and the choice is yours, choose wisely.
Copyright (c) 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
J.A. Matteson
"Now if anyone of the common people sins unintentionally in doing any of the things which the LORD has commanded not to be done, and becomes guilty…." Leviticus 4:27
If, as Scripture testifies, God is moral, then by necessity in accordance to His own character a future time of reckoning will come to pass when the wickedness of men will be judged by Him who is altogether righteous. The sons of Adam walk about on the face of the earth and their existence is feeble before the eyes of Him with whom they must give an account.
Spiritually blind and deaf and unbeknownst to them, their daily wanderings are chronicled perfectly; indeed, every dark thought entertained in the inner recesses of the mind is captured, each careless word spoken in haste recorded, all their deeds motivated by pride, greed, and avarice will be laid bare before the Lord of Glory. Blissfully ignorant of his immanent peril the sinner stands naked and condemned before His judge (Jn. 3:18), vulnerable, and his moment-by-moment existence is by the mercy of the Lord, "Yet how often is the lamp of the wicked snuffed out? How often does calamity come upon them, the fate God allots in his anger? How often are they like straw before the wind, like chaff swept away by a gale?” (Job 21:17-18).
Sinner, you have suppressed the reality of your plight, denying any awareness of the certain doom and destruction which awaits you (Rom. 1:18). You know in your heart—your conscience bearing witness—you are guilty of transgressing the righteousness of God—your defiled mind is still able to convict you of wrong, but you muse to yourself that all appears to be going well, you continue to prosper in every way and even enjoy good health, and your past acts of wickedness have not been exposed by others or met with divine retribution, you have convinced yourself that you have gone unnoticed.
You fool! With every breath you are storing up for yourself divine wrath, for the day of divine retribution is near where the fury of the Lord of Hosts will be unleashed against you; hear the Apostle, “because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when His righteous judgment will be revealed’ (Rom. 2:5). As an ant in the path of a tornado or a gnat at ground zero of a nuclear blast you will be obliterated in an instant, mercy will be withheld, your pleas will be unheard, and your eternal demise sealed, “But since you rejected Me when I called and no one gave heed when I stretched out My hand, since you ignored all My advice and would not accept My rebuke, I in turn will laugh at your disaster; I will mock when calamity overtakes you—when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you. Then they will call to Me but I will not answer; they will look for Me but will not find Me. Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord….” (Pr. 1:26-29).
In your ignorance you have repeatedly transgressed the Law of God throughout your life, and on judgment day claiming ignorance of the Law will not be an adequate defense as the righteousness of the Lord demands that justice be metered out in order to preserve His quintessential character of holiness. By grace the Lord sent forth His Son, Jesus Christ, who suffered and died for sinners as their substitute with the wrath of God poured out on Him, as a result all who look to Him in faith as their sin bearer will be passed over when the fury of the wrath of God is revealed, “It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners….” (1 Tim. 1:15).
On judgment day you can either stand before God and attempt to defend yourself—in which case you will be consigned to hell; or, you can have the Advocate, the Lord Jesus Christ, plead your defense in which case you will be acquitted and spend eternity in heaven. The time is near and the choice is yours, choose wisely.
Copyright (c) 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
Monday, September 14, 2009
Humbly Possessed and Diligently Applied
09.14.09
J.A. Matteson
"Moses said to the sons of Israel, 'See, the LORD has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri,the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah.'" Exodus 35:30
Are you functioning as the Lord intends within the covenant community, or has confusion enveloped your path, hindering progress in grace endowed fruitfulness as you subtly pursue self-exaltation? Arriving at an accurate understanding of your role within the body of Christ is paramount to one day receiving commendation from the Lord, “Well done good and faithful slave….” (Matt. 25:21). And it is worth noting, dear pilgrim, that the Lord chose “slave” in describing your relationship to Him; “servant” can suggest a voluntary arrangement while slave accurately portrays the spiritual reality of your blessed redemption through the atoning blood of Christ, “For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body” (1 Cor. 6:20).
Suggesting to a fellow pilgrim that he can and ought to perform whatever he chooses is folly and an insult to the King of Glory; beloved, silly notions of this variety find no support from Holy Writ. As the Lords bond-slave what constitutes pleasing service to Him? Is it not a pliable disposition, one which submits to divine directives, those which are always in accordance to the pilgrims intended function within the covenant community as crafted by the Lord?
Bezalel serves as a type whereby the pilgrim observes in him a tender heart which hears and responds to the divine call and directive of the Lord, where the consummation of his obedience if found to be integral—along with all the saints—to the final eschatological glorification of the name of the Lord, “All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, And they shall glorify Your name” (Ps. 86:9).
The wisdom and characteristics implanted within the pilgrim in the form of natural abilities bring glory to the Lord when humbly possessed and diligently applied. The naïvely immature pilgrim seeks to accomplish great exploits for the Lord, sinisterly indicative of the sinful Adamic nature—exploits manifested from inner pride—those not directed by Him and to which he is not suited, those outside of his divine call and gifting, and the resultant outcome is failure, frustration, and divine chastisement.
King Uzziah served the Lord faithfully for decades, but ended his reign in disgrace, succumbing to pride by insisting on fulfilling the role of priest, a function to which he was neither called nor equipped, and he experienced the chastisement of the Lord of Hosts, “…It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the LORD, but for the priests, the sons of Aaron who are consecrated to burn incense. Get out of the sanctuary, for you have been unfaithful and will have no honor from the LORD God. But Uzziah, with a censer in his hand for burning incense, was enraged; and while he was enraged with the priests, the leprosy broke out on his forehead before the priests in the house of the LORD, beside the altar of incense” (2 Chr. 26:18-19).
To the unregenerate mind the gifting of the Lord appears as merely a natural endowment and he is inclined to conclude that so-and-so simply possesses an uncanny ability—a lucky endowment—to perform specific tasks well. Scripture, however, reveals a very different picture of personal giftedness, testifying that it is the result of divine grace, the Lord bestowing upon individuals particular abilities according to His good pleasure and for His purposes. When the Lord purposes to bring His design to pass He stirs the hearts of His people a desire to release that which has been implanted within them. Bezalel was gifted and called by the Lord as an artisan, his giftedness being confirmed through the excellence of that which he created, being affirmed by the Lord and the covenant community, both taking delight in his work.
Beloved, consider in what way the Lord has gifted and called you to function within the body of Christ, then enter into that work with diligence and excellence for the glory of His name.
Copyright (c) 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
J.A. Matteson
"Moses said to the sons of Israel, 'See, the LORD has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri,the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah.'" Exodus 35:30
Are you functioning as the Lord intends within the covenant community, or has confusion enveloped your path, hindering progress in grace endowed fruitfulness as you subtly pursue self-exaltation? Arriving at an accurate understanding of your role within the body of Christ is paramount to one day receiving commendation from the Lord, “Well done good and faithful slave….” (Matt. 25:21). And it is worth noting, dear pilgrim, that the Lord chose “slave” in describing your relationship to Him; “servant” can suggest a voluntary arrangement while slave accurately portrays the spiritual reality of your blessed redemption through the atoning blood of Christ, “For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body” (1 Cor. 6:20).
Suggesting to a fellow pilgrim that he can and ought to perform whatever he chooses is folly and an insult to the King of Glory; beloved, silly notions of this variety find no support from Holy Writ. As the Lords bond-slave what constitutes pleasing service to Him? Is it not a pliable disposition, one which submits to divine directives, those which are always in accordance to the pilgrims intended function within the covenant community as crafted by the Lord?
Bezalel serves as a type whereby the pilgrim observes in him a tender heart which hears and responds to the divine call and directive of the Lord, where the consummation of his obedience if found to be integral—along with all the saints—to the final eschatological glorification of the name of the Lord, “All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, And they shall glorify Your name” (Ps. 86:9).
The wisdom and characteristics implanted within the pilgrim in the form of natural abilities bring glory to the Lord when humbly possessed and diligently applied. The naïvely immature pilgrim seeks to accomplish great exploits for the Lord, sinisterly indicative of the sinful Adamic nature—exploits manifested from inner pride—those not directed by Him and to which he is not suited, those outside of his divine call and gifting, and the resultant outcome is failure, frustration, and divine chastisement.
King Uzziah served the Lord faithfully for decades, but ended his reign in disgrace, succumbing to pride by insisting on fulfilling the role of priest, a function to which he was neither called nor equipped, and he experienced the chastisement of the Lord of Hosts, “…It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the LORD, but for the priests, the sons of Aaron who are consecrated to burn incense. Get out of the sanctuary, for you have been unfaithful and will have no honor from the LORD God. But Uzziah, with a censer in his hand for burning incense, was enraged; and while he was enraged with the priests, the leprosy broke out on his forehead before the priests in the house of the LORD, beside the altar of incense” (2 Chr. 26:18-19).
To the unregenerate mind the gifting of the Lord appears as merely a natural endowment and he is inclined to conclude that so-and-so simply possesses an uncanny ability—a lucky endowment—to perform specific tasks well. Scripture, however, reveals a very different picture of personal giftedness, testifying that it is the result of divine grace, the Lord bestowing upon individuals particular abilities according to His good pleasure and for His purposes. When the Lord purposes to bring His design to pass He stirs the hearts of His people a desire to release that which has been implanted within them. Bezalel was gifted and called by the Lord as an artisan, his giftedness being confirmed through the excellence of that which he created, being affirmed by the Lord and the covenant community, both taking delight in his work.
Beloved, consider in what way the Lord has gifted and called you to function within the body of Christ, then enter into that work with diligence and excellence for the glory of His name.
Copyright (c) 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
Monday, September 7, 2009
Divine Testing
09.07.09
J.A. Matteson
"…and there He tested them." Exodus 15:25
Has the mercy of the Lord brought you to the end of yourself yet or do you still stubbornly cling to illusionary notions of self-determination? The Holy Spirit has spoken clearly to you through Scripture but you doubt Him and express your unbelief through complaining to those around you. You are of no use to the Lord while you persist in the pathway of self-determination. Be on your way, chart your course back to Egypt to the house of slavery; contemplate with delight the flesh pots which await you, salivate at the memory of plump pomegranates, ripe dates and figs. While satisfying your belly these will leave you wanting, your unbelief will spring forth bitter fruit and if the Lord is gracious to you He will grant to you the gift of repentance, “When they heard this, they quieted down and glorified God, saying, ‘Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life’" (Acts 11:18).
Here you are, in a desert place, and not able to control the outcome of your situation unease fills your mind, fear invades your heart, and the prince of darkness beckons you to be reasonable and return to the fertile land of the Nile. In this place you are faced with a decision; viz., to take the Lord at His word--that He is leading you to a good land flowing with milk and honey--or disbelieve Him by abandoning the way, thus demonstrating to yourself and those observing you that you are in reality an illegitimate son and not a child of Abraham in the likeness of faith. The pilgrims pathway through the wilderness is unpredictable to the mind of man but the Lord by His grace orchestrates every bend, each curve of the trail, in order to break you of the idolatry of self-sufficiency, to humble you, to bring you to the end of your self in order that you might rest completely in His mercy, obediently following His lead and commands so that eventually the border of the promised land will come into view, “You shall remember all the way which the LORD your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not” (Deut. 8:2).
The testing of the Lord is counter intuitive to human reason which is marred by sin. The grace of the Lord brings the pilgrim to the end of himself whereby he must either throw himself down at the foot of the cross, crying out for mercy, or perish. Divine testing characteristically removes every human enablement so that the pilgrim is forced to admit his inadequacy. Human pride is pierced through completely until brokenness produces the sweet fruit of obedience through which the Life of the Savior flows, “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit” (Jn. 15:2). Grace is the source and faith is the response to divine testing in the pilgrim.
Where along the pathway to glory do you find yourself today? Have you visited the waters of Marah and have you called upon the name of the Lord to make them sweet? What bitterness of soul are you experiencing? Approaching from afar you were anticipating sweet water only to find it bitter and undrinkable. Are to grumbling or have you called upon the name of the Lord to transform your perspective making that which is bitter to sweet? Are you taking your daily allotment of mana or hoarding it in a storehouse, exhibiting unbelief that the goodness of the Lord will provide what is needed tomorrow?
Beloved the testing of the Lord is in accordance to grace, assisting you to produce the delightful fruit of obedience to the glory of God. Let not your heart be troubled when your circumstances prove contrary, but rejoice in the opportunity to demonstrate trust in the goodness of the Lord, resting in the reality that the circumstance generated by Providence does not define you, it merely reveals your heart, and the Lord’s intent is that the pilgrim manifest a heart, like king David, after His own.
Copyright (c) 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
J.A. Matteson
"…and there He tested them." Exodus 15:25
Has the mercy of the Lord brought you to the end of yourself yet or do you still stubbornly cling to illusionary notions of self-determination? The Holy Spirit has spoken clearly to you through Scripture but you doubt Him and express your unbelief through complaining to those around you. You are of no use to the Lord while you persist in the pathway of self-determination. Be on your way, chart your course back to Egypt to the house of slavery; contemplate with delight the flesh pots which await you, salivate at the memory of plump pomegranates, ripe dates and figs. While satisfying your belly these will leave you wanting, your unbelief will spring forth bitter fruit and if the Lord is gracious to you He will grant to you the gift of repentance, “When they heard this, they quieted down and glorified God, saying, ‘Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life’" (Acts 11:18).
Here you are, in a desert place, and not able to control the outcome of your situation unease fills your mind, fear invades your heart, and the prince of darkness beckons you to be reasonable and return to the fertile land of the Nile. In this place you are faced with a decision; viz., to take the Lord at His word--that He is leading you to a good land flowing with milk and honey--or disbelieve Him by abandoning the way, thus demonstrating to yourself and those observing you that you are in reality an illegitimate son and not a child of Abraham in the likeness of faith. The pilgrims pathway through the wilderness is unpredictable to the mind of man but the Lord by His grace orchestrates every bend, each curve of the trail, in order to break you of the idolatry of self-sufficiency, to humble you, to bring you to the end of your self in order that you might rest completely in His mercy, obediently following His lead and commands so that eventually the border of the promised land will come into view, “You shall remember all the way which the LORD your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not” (Deut. 8:2).
The testing of the Lord is counter intuitive to human reason which is marred by sin. The grace of the Lord brings the pilgrim to the end of himself whereby he must either throw himself down at the foot of the cross, crying out for mercy, or perish. Divine testing characteristically removes every human enablement so that the pilgrim is forced to admit his inadequacy. Human pride is pierced through completely until brokenness produces the sweet fruit of obedience through which the Life of the Savior flows, “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit” (Jn. 15:2). Grace is the source and faith is the response to divine testing in the pilgrim.
Where along the pathway to glory do you find yourself today? Have you visited the waters of Marah and have you called upon the name of the Lord to make them sweet? What bitterness of soul are you experiencing? Approaching from afar you were anticipating sweet water only to find it bitter and undrinkable. Are to grumbling or have you called upon the name of the Lord to transform your perspective making that which is bitter to sweet? Are you taking your daily allotment of mana or hoarding it in a storehouse, exhibiting unbelief that the goodness of the Lord will provide what is needed tomorrow?
Beloved the testing of the Lord is in accordance to grace, assisting you to produce the delightful fruit of obedience to the glory of God. Let not your heart be troubled when your circumstances prove contrary, but rejoice in the opportunity to demonstrate trust in the goodness of the Lord, resting in the reality that the circumstance generated by Providence does not define you, it merely reveals your heart, and the Lord’s intent is that the pilgrim manifest a heart, like king David, after His own.
Copyright (c) 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
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