07.23.09
J.A. Matteson
"And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did for Sarah as He had spoken." Genesis 21:1
With regard to the Lord communicating with a fallen race the author of Hebrews is informative, “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son…” (Heb. 1:1-2a); two observations may be made. First, God Almighty condescended Himself to interact with a sinner, “…the LORD visited Sarah….” Let not the amazing impact of that statement go by casually for the Lord of Glory initiated communication with a sinner continuing His plan of redemption established in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3:15, 21).
Previously He visited her husband while she remained in the doorway of the tent quietly laughing at His disclosure that she—as woman far past child bearing age—would conceive and be with child. The child of promise, Isaac, would come through the lineage of the free woman, Sarah, and not the bond woman, Hagar. The Apostle labors the point that the physical birth of Isaac was a miracle and a type; i.e., directly associated with the miracle of the new birth (Gal. 4:28, 31). Just as the initiative of divine grace was a necessary precondition for an old woman’s womb to bear fruit, so it is an absolute in spiritual regeneration. The Lord Jesus Christ drove this point home to the astonishment of His disciples, “’Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.’ When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, ‘Then who can be saved?’ And looking at them Jesus said to them, ‘With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible’" (Matt. 19:24-26).
The application of the Lord’s statement is inclusive of all sinners and not restricted to those with material riches; viz. apart from the initiative of divine grace whereby they are visited by the Holy Spirit none could be saved (Matt. 16:17), this too was the Lord’s point while speaking to Nicodemus, “The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit" (Jn. 3:8).
Second, unlike sinners the Lord has never and will never break a promise; that which is He decrees will come to pass and there is nothing in heaven or on earth to prevent it, “…the LORD did for Sarah as He had spoken.” In this regard the Apostle declares, “God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Cor. 1:9). A year earlier the Lord promised to visit Sarah and He predictably fulfilled His word. The grace initiated effectual calling the Apostle references is not dependent upon merit, but the sovereign choice of the Lord, for He said to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION”, and thus, ‘So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy’” (Rom. 9:15-16). And that which the Lord initiates through regeneration He is faithful to complete (Phil. 1:6); viz., glorification (Rom. 8:30).
Sanctification informs the pilgrim that the indwelling Spirit is conforming him day-by-day into the image of Christ Jesus, the second Adam (2 Cor. 4:16). Sarah’s life experience serves as a type for pilgrims and ought to be a great encouragement to them. For just as she was the recipient of grace so they are as well and the new life they enjoy in the Spirit is a gift of God—like Isaac the children of promise are a divine miracle. As the Lord was faithful to His promises to Sarah He is also faithful to the saints, each promise revealed in His Word will never fail, and they may meditate upon them, rejoicing in the knowledge that all of His promises are “yes” and “amen” in Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 1:20).
In seasons of difficulty and trial pilgrims may rest in the Word of the Lord, in His everlasting faithfulness and goodness, knowing that all things are working together for their good, to the praise of His glorious name.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
Life in the Beloved
J.A. Matteson
"But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord." Genesis 6:8
The following verse (vs. 9) describes Noah as a righteous man, blameless in his time, a fellow who walked with God. An important theological aspect to the narrative is discerning the basis by which he was found righteous and blameless. The Mosaic Law had yet to be given, yet Noah was still a transgressor of it, for the eternal Law and decrees of God preceded commandments written on stone tablets.
Like the rest Noah inherited the Adamic sin nature and was by disposition a child of wrath, for like his contemporaries he too was a sinner falling short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23; Eph. 2:3); for as sin entered the world through one man—Adam—therefore all sinned (Rom. 5:12), and the just recompense for treason against the Creator is death (Rom. 6:23). It is important to consider the life of Noah against his contemporaries and to note that he walked with God because he had first found favor with God; that is, grace was extended to him as one born again, the Lord’s redemptive work was operative in his heart as His elect.
As a new creation with a regenerated spirit his heart was inclined towards obedience, to do those things pleasing to the Lord. No where in the immediate text or in the whole of Scripture is there any indication that a man is found righteous and blameless apart from divine grace, “… because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight….” (Rom. 3:20). Moses, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, recorded the divine basis by which a man is found righteous and thus walking with God. Note that favor (grace) precedes imputed righteousness.
The order of verses 8 and 9 is theologically significant, change the order of them and a man centered religion of works emerges. Noah did not find favor with God because he was first righteous, blameless, a fellow walking with God; to the contrary, Noah was first the passive recipient of God’s favor (grace) and as a result he walked with God by faith, and it was on that basis he was found righteousness, “For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law” (Rom. 3:28), and “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH’ (Rom. 1:17), and that faith is a gift of God as a result of unmerited favor (grace), “and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed”, and “For to you it has been granted…to believe in Him….” (Phil. 1:29), and “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Eph. 2:8). So then there is no place for boasting by Noah according to the flesh, for the flesh profits nothing, it is the Spirit that gives spiritual life (Jn. 6:63).
Dear pilgrim, there is no place for boasting by you if you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. That you believe is a divine miracle for the grace of God has been extended to you, quickening your heart of stone and replacing it with a heart of flesh. Your spiritual blind eyes, deaf ears, and unresponsive spirit were enabled, made alive in Christ, and as Lazarus was dead four days in the tomb beyond hope, and yet raised to new life by the initiative, will, and pleasure of Almighty God, so too the resurrection power of God on high raised your lifeless spirit to new life in the Beloved, “Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh…and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ….” (Eph. 2:3-6).
To these marvelous truths John Newton penned the lyrics to his memorable hymn Amazing Grace, “Twas Grace that taught my heart to fear, and Grace my fears relieved. How precious did that Grace appear the hour I first believed”, for apart from the grace of God the heart of man does not believe in Him, fear Him or revere Him, nor does it comprehend the hellish danger his lost soul faces. Pilgrims should meditate upon the grace of God continually, giving thanks to their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for the spiritual life He bestowed, considering the frightful condition of their fellow man with great sorrow and anguish of heart, and like the Apostle interceding for and pleading with all men to be reconciled to God through the cross of Christ, and as faithful ambassadors proclaiming His Gospel of salvation knowing that faith comes through hearing and hearing through the Word of Christ.
Copyright (c) 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8)
"But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord." Genesis 6:8
The following verse (vs. 9) describes Noah as a righteous man, blameless in his time, a fellow who walked with God. An important theological aspect to the narrative is discerning the basis by which he was found righteous and blameless. The Mosaic Law had yet to be given, yet Noah was still a transgressor of it, for the eternal Law and decrees of God preceded commandments written on stone tablets.
Like the rest Noah inherited the Adamic sin nature and was by disposition a child of wrath, for like his contemporaries he too was a sinner falling short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23; Eph. 2:3); for as sin entered the world through one man—Adam—therefore all sinned (Rom. 5:12), and the just recompense for treason against the Creator is death (Rom. 6:23). It is important to consider the life of Noah against his contemporaries and to note that he walked with God because he had first found favor with God; that is, grace was extended to him as one born again, the Lord’s redemptive work was operative in his heart as His elect.
As a new creation with a regenerated spirit his heart was inclined towards obedience, to do those things pleasing to the Lord. No where in the immediate text or in the whole of Scripture is there any indication that a man is found righteous and blameless apart from divine grace, “… because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight….” (Rom. 3:20). Moses, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, recorded the divine basis by which a man is found righteous and thus walking with God. Note that favor (grace) precedes imputed righteousness.
The order of verses 8 and 9 is theologically significant, change the order of them and a man centered religion of works emerges. Noah did not find favor with God because he was first righteous, blameless, a fellow walking with God; to the contrary, Noah was first the passive recipient of God’s favor (grace) and as a result he walked with God by faith, and it was on that basis he was found righteousness, “For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law” (Rom. 3:28), and “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH’ (Rom. 1:17), and that faith is a gift of God as a result of unmerited favor (grace), “and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed”, and “For to you it has been granted…to believe in Him….” (Phil. 1:29), and “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Eph. 2:8). So then there is no place for boasting by Noah according to the flesh, for the flesh profits nothing, it is the Spirit that gives spiritual life (Jn. 6:63).
Dear pilgrim, there is no place for boasting by you if you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. That you believe is a divine miracle for the grace of God has been extended to you, quickening your heart of stone and replacing it with a heart of flesh. Your spiritual blind eyes, deaf ears, and unresponsive spirit were enabled, made alive in Christ, and as Lazarus was dead four days in the tomb beyond hope, and yet raised to new life by the initiative, will, and pleasure of Almighty God, so too the resurrection power of God on high raised your lifeless spirit to new life in the Beloved, “Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh…and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ….” (Eph. 2:3-6).
To these marvelous truths John Newton penned the lyrics to his memorable hymn Amazing Grace, “Twas Grace that taught my heart to fear, and Grace my fears relieved. How precious did that Grace appear the hour I first believed”, for apart from the grace of God the heart of man does not believe in Him, fear Him or revere Him, nor does it comprehend the hellish danger his lost soul faces. Pilgrims should meditate upon the grace of God continually, giving thanks to their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for the spiritual life He bestowed, considering the frightful condition of their fellow man with great sorrow and anguish of heart, and like the Apostle interceding for and pleading with all men to be reconciled to God through the cross of Christ, and as faithful ambassadors proclaiming His Gospel of salvation knowing that faith comes through hearing and hearing through the Word of Christ.
Copyright (c) 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8)
Thursday, July 9, 2009
As A Rose Cut Off
07.08.09
J.A. Matteson
The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth,
and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Genesis 6:5
Humanism declares that man is essentially good. Scripture reveals that man is radically fallen and inclined toward evil; man is a transgressor of the Law of God, a sinner. Humanism asserts that a sinners highest good is served through an unfettered freedom to pursue the desires of his heart. Scripture brings to light that left to themselves sinners actually are capable of heinous wickedness and only the grace of God prevents them from manifesting fully the evil inclinations churning just below the surface. History and personal experience appear to validate the claim of Scripture regarding the true condition of sinners, exposing the folly of the presuppositions encapsulated within humanistic anthropology.
The fall left man and woman totally depraved in their being; that is, it affected every aspect of their being, corporeally and incorporeally. Sin introduced spiritual and physical death to the human race, and like a rose cut off from its life nourishing stem humanity has been were cut off from the spiritual life which God supplies, and while spiritual death was immediate the ramifications of physical decay ending in biological death were slower. Since the fall the soul of the sinner remains drastically polluted to which three observations may be made.
First, the sinners mind is tragically broken so that he does not think correctly as intended by his Creator. Rather than being captivated with exalting thoughts towards his Creator he is self-consumed, being utterly twisted in his overall life perspective, self-deceived in the diagnosis of his true depraved condition, and exhibiting a moral deficit to the extent that he is incapable of pleasing his Creator but is perpetually inclined towards acts of irrational stupidity, none being more glaring than idolatry; for example, worshiping a stick of wood rather than the Creator of it, “No one recalls, nor is there knowledge or understanding to say, ‘I have burned half of it in the fire and also have baked bread over its coals. I roast meat and eat {it.} Then I make the rest of it into an abomination, I fall down before a block of wood!’ He feeds on ashes; a deceived heart has turned him aside. And he cannot deliver himself, nor say,’ Is there not a lie in my right hand?" (Isa. 44:18-19).
Second, the sinner’s will is jaded and inclined toward rebellion against God. While the Lord would have fallen man repent of his wandering and return to Him by faith in the atoning work of Jesus Christ so as to be saved, he stubbornly refuses, choosing rather evil (unbelief) over righteousness, independence over dependence, eternal death over eternal life, “…choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" (Josh. 24:15). So ingrained is the sinners rebellious will that if it were not for the grace of the Lord, through the agency of the Holy Spirit, none would believe, none would repent, none would be saved, “When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, ‘Then who can be saved?’ And looking at them Jesus said to them, ‘With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible’" (Matt. 19:25-26).
Finally, the sinner’s emotions obscure spiritual realities and he is inclined to follow wicked subjective hunches rather than objective realities. Humanism instructs sinners to follow the desires of their hearts, for in doing so they will discover fulfillment—self-actualization. Scripture, however, contrasts the destructive end for the sinner in following his heart, “The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jer. 17:9).
The pilgrim has received grace to believe. As a new creation the saint’s mind, will, and emotions are being renewed daily so as to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ, to whom all praise, honor, and glory are due.
Copyright (c) 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8)
J.A. Matteson
The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth,
and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Genesis 6:5
Humanism declares that man is essentially good. Scripture reveals that man is radically fallen and inclined toward evil; man is a transgressor of the Law of God, a sinner. Humanism asserts that a sinners highest good is served through an unfettered freedom to pursue the desires of his heart. Scripture brings to light that left to themselves sinners actually are capable of heinous wickedness and only the grace of God prevents them from manifesting fully the evil inclinations churning just below the surface. History and personal experience appear to validate the claim of Scripture regarding the true condition of sinners, exposing the folly of the presuppositions encapsulated within humanistic anthropology.
The fall left man and woman totally depraved in their being; that is, it affected every aspect of their being, corporeally and incorporeally. Sin introduced spiritual and physical death to the human race, and like a rose cut off from its life nourishing stem humanity has been were cut off from the spiritual life which God supplies, and while spiritual death was immediate the ramifications of physical decay ending in biological death were slower. Since the fall the soul of the sinner remains drastically polluted to which three observations may be made.
First, the sinners mind is tragically broken so that he does not think correctly as intended by his Creator. Rather than being captivated with exalting thoughts towards his Creator he is self-consumed, being utterly twisted in his overall life perspective, self-deceived in the diagnosis of his true depraved condition, and exhibiting a moral deficit to the extent that he is incapable of pleasing his Creator but is perpetually inclined towards acts of irrational stupidity, none being more glaring than idolatry; for example, worshiping a stick of wood rather than the Creator of it, “No one recalls, nor is there knowledge or understanding to say, ‘I have burned half of it in the fire and also have baked bread over its coals. I roast meat and eat {it.} Then I make the rest of it into an abomination, I fall down before a block of wood!’ He feeds on ashes; a deceived heart has turned him aside. And he cannot deliver himself, nor say,’ Is there not a lie in my right hand?" (Isa. 44:18-19).
Second, the sinner’s will is jaded and inclined toward rebellion against God. While the Lord would have fallen man repent of his wandering and return to Him by faith in the atoning work of Jesus Christ so as to be saved, he stubbornly refuses, choosing rather evil (unbelief) over righteousness, independence over dependence, eternal death over eternal life, “…choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" (Josh. 24:15). So ingrained is the sinners rebellious will that if it were not for the grace of the Lord, through the agency of the Holy Spirit, none would believe, none would repent, none would be saved, “When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, ‘Then who can be saved?’ And looking at them Jesus said to them, ‘With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible’" (Matt. 19:25-26).
Finally, the sinner’s emotions obscure spiritual realities and he is inclined to follow wicked subjective hunches rather than objective realities. Humanism instructs sinners to follow the desires of their hearts, for in doing so they will discover fulfillment—self-actualization. Scripture, however, contrasts the destructive end for the sinner in following his heart, “The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jer. 17:9).
The pilgrim has received grace to believe. As a new creation the saint’s mind, will, and emotions are being renewed daily so as to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ, to whom all praise, honor, and glory are due.
Copyright (c) 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8)
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
In Wonder
06.30.09
J.A. Matteson
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…. Genesis 1:1
Genesis frames the discussion for all matters of existence by making a declarative statement that an intelligent Being precedes all things and that all things find their existence and maintenance in Him. There was a time when time was not, for time is a part of the created order. The One who created all things is eternal, having always existed, and will always exist. The eternal God is self-existing, being independent of all things for His existence—He simply is. In eternity past time and space were not while God was and it is impossible for the human mind to understand the state of all things before all things existed.
Hidden in the eternal decrees and will of God it was pleasing to Him to bring into being the heavens and the earth. From eternal nothingness all things find their origin and let it not escape notice that He who created did so ex nihilo; i.e., out of nothing. And it is at this proposition that human reasoning is rendered useless for human understanding breaks down, for out of nothing one would expect nothing, as it is physically impossible to end up with something if you begin with nothing.
This is the big problem for the intellectual atheist and his presupposition with regard to the hypothetical big bang: nothing + something = everything. The finite human brain is incapable of comprehending nothingness as revealed by the Lord in this passage. The poet may think of nothingness and imagine the vast dark distance of intergalactic space, but even this is not nothing in the true sense but something, being composed of “dark matter.” The physicist may attempt to describe the state of being at the point of singularity when theoretically all the matter of the universe existed in an infinitely small point, yet the scientist in his reasoning is presuming upon something infinitely small resulting in something gargantuan and the laws of physics break down when challenged to describe the absolute nothingness revealed by God to Moses. Ultimately intellectual atheism is not rational whereas Judeo/Christian theism is rational and does not violate a single law of logic.
Intellectual atheism denies that which has been placed within the human conscience for, “He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end” (Ecc. 3:11). When it comes to believing biblical revelation about creation fallen humanities issue is a moral problem rooted in a volitional choice; it is not that humanity is incapable of knowing the truth, rather fallen man intellectually rejects it, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse” (Rom. 1:18-20).
The placement of eternity within the souls of men is the cause for the dread of death and the immense sorrow that usually accompanies it. Grieving may also include a period of anger when those close to the departed direct irritation and sometimes intense rage at the departed for leaving them. All such human emotions speak to the divine imprint, bearing witness to the Creator who placed eternity in the hearts of men. And fallen man is truly at his sanest during a Christian funeral service when the minister challenges all in attendance to consider the state of their souls before a holy God, impressing upon them the brevity of their earthly existence and the often unexpected arrival of eternity. To this end the prayer of Moses is precious and comforting, “So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom” (Ps. 90:12). Reflecting upon the opening passage of Genesis the accent of human existence is placed where it belongs: man is finite, God is infinite; man is temporal, God is eternal. In wonder to these things king David expresses the appropriate heart response of worship, “O LORD, what is man, that You take knowledge of him? Or the son of man, that You think of him?” (Ps. 144:3).
In this regard the Apostle underscores the divinity of the creative power of the Lord Jesus Christ, “For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him” (Col. 1:16)—being forever blessed.
Copyright (c) 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...for the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8)
J.A. Matteson
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…. Genesis 1:1
Genesis frames the discussion for all matters of existence by making a declarative statement that an intelligent Being precedes all things and that all things find their existence and maintenance in Him. There was a time when time was not, for time is a part of the created order. The One who created all things is eternal, having always existed, and will always exist. The eternal God is self-existing, being independent of all things for His existence—He simply is. In eternity past time and space were not while God was and it is impossible for the human mind to understand the state of all things before all things existed.
Hidden in the eternal decrees and will of God it was pleasing to Him to bring into being the heavens and the earth. From eternal nothingness all things find their origin and let it not escape notice that He who created did so ex nihilo; i.e., out of nothing. And it is at this proposition that human reasoning is rendered useless for human understanding breaks down, for out of nothing one would expect nothing, as it is physically impossible to end up with something if you begin with nothing.
This is the big problem for the intellectual atheist and his presupposition with regard to the hypothetical big bang: nothing + something = everything. The finite human brain is incapable of comprehending nothingness as revealed by the Lord in this passage. The poet may think of nothingness and imagine the vast dark distance of intergalactic space, but even this is not nothing in the true sense but something, being composed of “dark matter.” The physicist may attempt to describe the state of being at the point of singularity when theoretically all the matter of the universe existed in an infinitely small point, yet the scientist in his reasoning is presuming upon something infinitely small resulting in something gargantuan and the laws of physics break down when challenged to describe the absolute nothingness revealed by God to Moses. Ultimately intellectual atheism is not rational whereas Judeo/Christian theism is rational and does not violate a single law of logic.
Intellectual atheism denies that which has been placed within the human conscience for, “He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end” (Ecc. 3:11). When it comes to believing biblical revelation about creation fallen humanities issue is a moral problem rooted in a volitional choice; it is not that humanity is incapable of knowing the truth, rather fallen man intellectually rejects it, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse” (Rom. 1:18-20).
The placement of eternity within the souls of men is the cause for the dread of death and the immense sorrow that usually accompanies it. Grieving may also include a period of anger when those close to the departed direct irritation and sometimes intense rage at the departed for leaving them. All such human emotions speak to the divine imprint, bearing witness to the Creator who placed eternity in the hearts of men. And fallen man is truly at his sanest during a Christian funeral service when the minister challenges all in attendance to consider the state of their souls before a holy God, impressing upon them the brevity of their earthly existence and the often unexpected arrival of eternity. To this end the prayer of Moses is precious and comforting, “So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom” (Ps. 90:12). Reflecting upon the opening passage of Genesis the accent of human existence is placed where it belongs: man is finite, God is infinite; man is temporal, God is eternal. In wonder to these things king David expresses the appropriate heart response of worship, “O LORD, what is man, that You take knowledge of him? Or the son of man, that You think of him?” (Ps. 144:3).
In this regard the Apostle underscores the divinity of the creative power of the Lord Jesus Christ, “For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him” (Col. 1:16)—being forever blessed.
Copyright (c) 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...for the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8)
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Seeing His Face
06.24.09
J.A. Matteson
"...and they shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads." revelation 22:4
Peculiar to the world is the love of the pilgrim for the Savior who is unseen. At this juncture the reasoning of the world falls flat for it cannot comprehend an emotional attachment to that which is not empirically known; the Apostle draws attention to this marvelous relationship between the redeemed sinner and his Savior, “and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory” (1 Pet. 1:8).
Ironically the union the Apostle references is at its essence epistemologically supreme as it finds its origin and maintenance in the eternal Lord of heaven and earth, and the joyful faith within the pilgrims heart—that he will one day see his Savior’s face—testifies that His seed abides within, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1).
With regard to seeing His face three observations are noteworthy, the first being the joy of the reality of seeing His face. Every promise for the saints in Holy Writ is “yes and amen” in Christ Jesus and will not fail. There is nothing seen or unseen in all of creation to frustrate that which the Lord has promised to the saints. The weary pilgrim need look no further than to the manifold fulfilled prophecies to shore up a teetering faith, and to consider that the promises of the Lord are not dependent upon man, but upon Him who has spoken and promised for, “…Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned I will do it” (Isa. 46:11b).
The second observation is the joy of the anticipation of seeing His face. To see His face is to behold His glory. The closer the pilgrim aligns his heart to the Savior the more intense is the heavenward call to behold His glory; Moses was such a man, “I pray You, show me Your glory!" (Ex. 33:18). It was the mercy of God that forbade his request for sinful man cannot behold His holy face and not die. Once glorified sin will be no more and the saints will eternally gaze upon the face of Him who is pure Light, “And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever” (Rev. 22:5), and the anticipation of this promise fills the saints heart with overwhelming joy.
The third observation is the joy of the fulfillment of seeing His face. Before the throne of the blessed Lamb of God time immortal will reign, and after an earthly ten thousand years of indescribable bliss has passed the blessed state of the saints will have only just begun, for all eternity will await their praises.
As for His name upon their foreheads two observations are noted. The first is the import of His blessed name. The name of the Lord communicates His character and attributes. The one who is Faithful and True, Merciful, Longsuffering, Love, Avenger of His own, the Good Shepherd, the First and the Last, Provider, Healer, Comforter and Friend, Sustainer, Defender, Advocate, Banner, Creator, and so on, this Ones name is invoked as a pledge that that which He has spoken is trustworthy (Rom. 3:4).
The second is the significance of His name on the forehead of the saints. The imprint signifies sovereign ownership. It is a wonderful joy that pilgrims take pleasure in being His property (1 Cor. 6:19-20), for all of heaven is aligned to protect them from the wicked one and to ensure their progress in sanctification unto glorification, nothing being able to frustrate God’s work in them which He will bring to completion (Rom. 8:31-39).
Beloved, the Savior has gone ahead of you to prepare a place for you and He is faithful and will come to you in His time, that you might be where He is. Rejoice that your name is written in heaven and sing in your heart with the psalmist, “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; when shall I come and appear before God?” (Ps. 42:2).
J.A. Matteson
"...and they shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads." revelation 22:4
Peculiar to the world is the love of the pilgrim for the Savior who is unseen. At this juncture the reasoning of the world falls flat for it cannot comprehend an emotional attachment to that which is not empirically known; the Apostle draws attention to this marvelous relationship between the redeemed sinner and his Savior, “and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory” (1 Pet. 1:8).
Ironically the union the Apostle references is at its essence epistemologically supreme as it finds its origin and maintenance in the eternal Lord of heaven and earth, and the joyful faith within the pilgrims heart—that he will one day see his Savior’s face—testifies that His seed abides within, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1).
With regard to seeing His face three observations are noteworthy, the first being the joy of the reality of seeing His face. Every promise for the saints in Holy Writ is “yes and amen” in Christ Jesus and will not fail. There is nothing seen or unseen in all of creation to frustrate that which the Lord has promised to the saints. The weary pilgrim need look no further than to the manifold fulfilled prophecies to shore up a teetering faith, and to consider that the promises of the Lord are not dependent upon man, but upon Him who has spoken and promised for, “…Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned I will do it” (Isa. 46:11b).
The second observation is the joy of the anticipation of seeing His face. To see His face is to behold His glory. The closer the pilgrim aligns his heart to the Savior the more intense is the heavenward call to behold His glory; Moses was such a man, “I pray You, show me Your glory!" (Ex. 33:18). It was the mercy of God that forbade his request for sinful man cannot behold His holy face and not die. Once glorified sin will be no more and the saints will eternally gaze upon the face of Him who is pure Light, “And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever” (Rev. 22:5), and the anticipation of this promise fills the saints heart with overwhelming joy.
The third observation is the joy of the fulfillment of seeing His face. Before the throne of the blessed Lamb of God time immortal will reign, and after an earthly ten thousand years of indescribable bliss has passed the blessed state of the saints will have only just begun, for all eternity will await their praises.
As for His name upon their foreheads two observations are noted. The first is the import of His blessed name. The name of the Lord communicates His character and attributes. The one who is Faithful and True, Merciful, Longsuffering, Love, Avenger of His own, the Good Shepherd, the First and the Last, Provider, Healer, Comforter and Friend, Sustainer, Defender, Advocate, Banner, Creator, and so on, this Ones name is invoked as a pledge that that which He has spoken is trustworthy (Rom. 3:4).
The second is the significance of His name on the forehead of the saints. The imprint signifies sovereign ownership. It is a wonderful joy that pilgrims take pleasure in being His property (1 Cor. 6:19-20), for all of heaven is aligned to protect them from the wicked one and to ensure their progress in sanctification unto glorification, nothing being able to frustrate God’s work in them which He will bring to completion (Rom. 8:31-39).
Beloved, the Savior has gone ahead of you to prepare a place for you and He is faithful and will come to you in His time, that you might be where He is. Rejoice that your name is written in heaven and sing in your heart with the psalmist, “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; when shall I come and appear before God?” (Ps. 42:2).
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Enemies of the Cross
06.20.09
J.A. Matteson
"And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds." Revelation 20:12
Two dreadful occasions await the unrepentant wicked at death: a definitive tribunal judgment and conviction before Almighty God, and being cast away for all eternity from the presence of God to suffer the indescribable anguish of hell, “And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment” (Heb. 9:27). And in as much as eye as not seen nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of men the blessed wonder of all that God has in store for the redeemed in heaven (1 Cor. 2:9), neither has it truly been understood to the fullest extent just how unimaginably horrible hell will be for the wicked.
Beloved, the terse language of the Scriptures and especially that by the Lord Jesus Christ ought to serve as a strong warning and convincing proof that no man should dare trifle with it and that the administration of the Gospel is urgent to the hearing of all in danger of perishing. As for the redeemed they will stand before the judgment seat of Christ where each pilgrims work will be evaluated by the Lord Jesus Christ, faithful service being recognized and rewarded (2 Cor. 5:10).
The unregenerate, however, will stand before the Lord Jesus Christ at the great white throne of judgment and all of their wicked deeds laid naked, serving as the basis for their just condemnation (Rom. 2:5). All who rejected the salvation offered in the Lord Jesus Christ will stand before Him condemned (Jn 3:18-19)—the educated and ignorant, the wealthy and poor, the charitable and stingy, the politically powerful and the weak, the moral and immoral, the religious and impious—all will stand individually before God Almighty and hear the piercing indictment of their eternal sentence of doom, their sins itemized one by one, the foremost and eternally damning sin being unforgivable; viz., the sin of unbelief in the Son of God as the spotless Lamb of God and the rejection of His vicarious substitutionary death atoning for sin on the cross, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8).
On judgment day saints will have The Advocate, Jesus Christ the Righteous, Who will plead their pardon before the Father, these being justified by faith in the Lord’s atoning work on their behalf, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1). Woe to the prideful man who brashly contends that he is righteous apart from the imputed righteousness found only in the cross of Jesus Christ, he is utterly deceived and by his boasting a deceiver of the simple, deluded in mind and worse than a charlatan, a diabolical fraud, for he has denied that “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Cor. 5:21).
Diabolical is the teaching the Emergent Church movement that denies Scripture pertaining to the penal substitution of sin laid upon the spotless Lamb of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 Jn. 4:10; see also Rom. 3:25; Heb. 2:17; 1 Jn. 2:2)—it is the foundation of the Gospel. These fail to understand that apart from the shed blood of Christ they are still in their sin, justly condemned, twice dead, and in danger of hell fire.
Apart from the vicarious substitutionary death of Christ there is no hope, only a sure consignment to eternal darkness. These delusional teachers will not have The Advocate by their side to defend them for they have denied the very work He performed that they might be saved. By their words and deeds they are enemies of the blessed cross of Christ.
Copyrigtht (c) 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8)
J.A. Matteson
"And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds." Revelation 20:12
Two dreadful occasions await the unrepentant wicked at death: a definitive tribunal judgment and conviction before Almighty God, and being cast away for all eternity from the presence of God to suffer the indescribable anguish of hell, “And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment” (Heb. 9:27). And in as much as eye as not seen nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of men the blessed wonder of all that God has in store for the redeemed in heaven (1 Cor. 2:9), neither has it truly been understood to the fullest extent just how unimaginably horrible hell will be for the wicked.
Beloved, the terse language of the Scriptures and especially that by the Lord Jesus Christ ought to serve as a strong warning and convincing proof that no man should dare trifle with it and that the administration of the Gospel is urgent to the hearing of all in danger of perishing. As for the redeemed they will stand before the judgment seat of Christ where each pilgrims work will be evaluated by the Lord Jesus Christ, faithful service being recognized and rewarded (2 Cor. 5:10).
The unregenerate, however, will stand before the Lord Jesus Christ at the great white throne of judgment and all of their wicked deeds laid naked, serving as the basis for their just condemnation (Rom. 2:5). All who rejected the salvation offered in the Lord Jesus Christ will stand before Him condemned (Jn 3:18-19)—the educated and ignorant, the wealthy and poor, the charitable and stingy, the politically powerful and the weak, the moral and immoral, the religious and impious—all will stand individually before God Almighty and hear the piercing indictment of their eternal sentence of doom, their sins itemized one by one, the foremost and eternally damning sin being unforgivable; viz., the sin of unbelief in the Son of God as the spotless Lamb of God and the rejection of His vicarious substitutionary death atoning for sin on the cross, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8).
On judgment day saints will have The Advocate, Jesus Christ the Righteous, Who will plead their pardon before the Father, these being justified by faith in the Lord’s atoning work on their behalf, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1). Woe to the prideful man who brashly contends that he is righteous apart from the imputed righteousness found only in the cross of Jesus Christ, he is utterly deceived and by his boasting a deceiver of the simple, deluded in mind and worse than a charlatan, a diabolical fraud, for he has denied that “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Cor. 5:21).
Diabolical is the teaching the Emergent Church movement that denies Scripture pertaining to the penal substitution of sin laid upon the spotless Lamb of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 Jn. 4:10; see also Rom. 3:25; Heb. 2:17; 1 Jn. 2:2)—it is the foundation of the Gospel. These fail to understand that apart from the shed blood of Christ they are still in their sin, justly condemned, twice dead, and in danger of hell fire.
Apart from the vicarious substitutionary death of Christ there is no hope, only a sure consignment to eternal darkness. These delusional teachers will not have The Advocate by their side to defend them for they have denied the very work He performed that they might be saved. By their words and deeds they are enemies of the blessed cross of Christ.
Copyrigtht (c) 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8)
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Humbly Remain Undaunted
06.16.09
J.A. Matteson
“And I took the little book out of the angel’s hand and ate it, and it was in my mouth sweet as honey; and when I had eaten it, my stomach was made bitter.” Revelation 10:10
The Word of the Lord is a delight to the tender heart of pilgrims who are sustained by it, “The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes” (Ps. 19:8). While sweet during consumption the Word’s effect on the obedient pilgrim is often bitter when it is a corrective Word to be broadcast to a wicked individual or culture that reject it.
The prophet Jeremiah attested to the delightful nature of the Word of the LORD received, “Thy words were found and I ate them, and Thy words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; for I have been called by Thy name, O LORD God of hosts” (Jer. 15:16). The prophet Ezekiel also fed upon the Word of the LORD prior to declaring it to a decedent culture, “’Now you, son of man, listen to what I am speaking to you; do not be rebellious like that rebellious house. Open your mouth and eat what I am giving you’…And He said to me, ‘Son of man, feed your stomach, and fill your body with this scroll which I am giving you.’ Then I ate it, and it was sweet as honey in my mouth’” (Ezk. 2:8; 3:3).
Samuel understood personally the bitterness of the Word of the LORD he had consumed and proclaimed when it was sternly rejected by Israel, yet grace supplied divine perspective to the prophet, “And the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them’” (1 Sam. 8:7). John the Baptist understood the bitterness of a corrective Word preached when the wickedness of the king was denounced, “For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. For John said unto him, ‘It is not lawful for thee to have her’” (Matt.14:3-4). That corrective Word eventually resulted in John’s execution to silence his opposing voice.
Stephen experienced the bitterness of the corrective Word of the Lord when upon hearing it wicked men picked up rocks and stoned him to death, “Ye stiff necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Spirit: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute, and they killed them…But they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and rushed upon him with one accord; and they cast him out of the city, and stoned him….” (Acts 7:51-52, 57-58). The corrective Word of the Lord Jesus Christ directed at the religious elite stirred their wrath, culminating in His crucifixion whereby they sought to silence the Word, “… the Pharisees went out, and took counsel against Him, how they might destroy Him” (Matt. 12:14).
By nature unregenerate sinners seek to suppress the truth of the Word in unrighteousness (Rom. 1:18). As John received the apocalyptic Word pertaining to the end times its ingestion was sweet—as all divine revelation—but its effect would be bitter upon the one delivering the message. Faithful pilgrims endure the bitter aspects of the Word of the Lord, and motivated by the love of God proclaim it to a wicked generation, deleting nothing, adding nothing, delivering it unedited and raw as written, letting the Holy Spirit perform that which is pleasing to the Father, that the recipients might turn from their erring ways and be saved.
Pilgrims today delivering the Word of the Lord are also experiencing its bitter effects, being mocked, ridiculed, marginalized, and at times violently attacked and killed. In spite of intense opposition they humbly remain undaunted to deliver the Word. As the time of His appearing nears wickedness will increase. It is incumbent upon every pilgrim to contend earnestly for the faith once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3), and to call to repentance a generation gone astray. Pilgrims do not have the option of enjoying the sweetness of the Word apart from its bitterness; it is their calling and destiny.
Copyright 2009 (c) Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8)
J.A. Matteson
“And I took the little book out of the angel’s hand and ate it, and it was in my mouth sweet as honey; and when I had eaten it, my stomach was made bitter.” Revelation 10:10
The Word of the Lord is a delight to the tender heart of pilgrims who are sustained by it, “The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes” (Ps. 19:8). While sweet during consumption the Word’s effect on the obedient pilgrim is often bitter when it is a corrective Word to be broadcast to a wicked individual or culture that reject it.
The prophet Jeremiah attested to the delightful nature of the Word of the LORD received, “Thy words were found and I ate them, and Thy words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; for I have been called by Thy name, O LORD God of hosts” (Jer. 15:16). The prophet Ezekiel also fed upon the Word of the LORD prior to declaring it to a decedent culture, “’Now you, son of man, listen to what I am speaking to you; do not be rebellious like that rebellious house. Open your mouth and eat what I am giving you’…And He said to me, ‘Son of man, feed your stomach, and fill your body with this scroll which I am giving you.’ Then I ate it, and it was sweet as honey in my mouth’” (Ezk. 2:8; 3:3).
Samuel understood personally the bitterness of the Word of the LORD he had consumed and proclaimed when it was sternly rejected by Israel, yet grace supplied divine perspective to the prophet, “And the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them’” (1 Sam. 8:7). John the Baptist understood the bitterness of a corrective Word preached when the wickedness of the king was denounced, “For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. For John said unto him, ‘It is not lawful for thee to have her’” (Matt.14:3-4). That corrective Word eventually resulted in John’s execution to silence his opposing voice.
Stephen experienced the bitterness of the corrective Word of the Lord when upon hearing it wicked men picked up rocks and stoned him to death, “Ye stiff necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Spirit: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute, and they killed them…But they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and rushed upon him with one accord; and they cast him out of the city, and stoned him….” (Acts 7:51-52, 57-58). The corrective Word of the Lord Jesus Christ directed at the religious elite stirred their wrath, culminating in His crucifixion whereby they sought to silence the Word, “… the Pharisees went out, and took counsel against Him, how they might destroy Him” (Matt. 12:14).
By nature unregenerate sinners seek to suppress the truth of the Word in unrighteousness (Rom. 1:18). As John received the apocalyptic Word pertaining to the end times its ingestion was sweet—as all divine revelation—but its effect would be bitter upon the one delivering the message. Faithful pilgrims endure the bitter aspects of the Word of the Lord, and motivated by the love of God proclaim it to a wicked generation, deleting nothing, adding nothing, delivering it unedited and raw as written, letting the Holy Spirit perform that which is pleasing to the Father, that the recipients might turn from their erring ways and be saved.
Pilgrims today delivering the Word of the Lord are also experiencing its bitter effects, being mocked, ridiculed, marginalized, and at times violently attacked and killed. In spite of intense opposition they humbly remain undaunted to deliver the Word. As the time of His appearing nears wickedness will increase. It is incumbent upon every pilgrim to contend earnestly for the faith once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3), and to call to repentance a generation gone astray. Pilgrims do not have the option of enjoying the sweetness of the Word apart from its bitterness; it is their calling and destiny.
Copyright 2009 (c) Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8)
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