Today we will look at the LORD Christ's words concerning Obedience. But first a look at Grace as written by Pastor Hoekstra. And as has become my norm I will use the ESV translation for the scriptures.
"The Ongoing Grace of GOD"
"I Will put My Law in their minds, and write it on their hearts . . . it is good that the heart be established by Grace." (Jeremiah 31:33 and Hebrews 13:9)
"Our initial encounter with the Grace of GOD involves Forgiveness and Justification. "In Him we have our Redemption through His blood (our being point of our recovery of what Adam lost), the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His Grace" (Ephesians 1:7). Rich measures of GOD's Grace washed away our sins and gave us New Life in Christ. Of course, that initial Justifying work of GOD could not exhaust His Grace. Rather, it was "according to the riches of His Grace." There are unlimited riches yet available for our daily Sanctification, our ongoing Growth in Christ. And our acquired Learning of the LORD Christ (Matthew 11:29).
Hebrews 13:9 is one of the many places in scripture that indicate Progressive Sanctification, that is, Growth in Godliness, is by Grace. "It is good that the heart be Established by Grace." This Truth clearly pertains to Sanctification and Growth, not Justification and New birth. At regeneration, we are given a New heart. "I Will give you a New heart and put a New spirit within you; I Will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh" (Ezekiel 36:26). Then, after Receiving a New, yielding, responsive heart, the spiritual stabilization of that New heart must follow.
It is from within the heart that the development of Practical Righteousness must proceed. What is eventually seen and heard in our daily Christian lives sources from within the core of our inner being. "Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of Life" (Proverbs 4:23). The Lord Christ Jesus now "LORD" within us, wants to work from deep within us. "I Will put My Law in their minds, and write it on their hearts."
If an unstable, inconsistent life is being expressed outwardly, an unestablished heart within is the cause. Jesus taught that "out of the Abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matthew 12:34). Whatever is developing and filling up our inner man (one of two deities GOD's or Satan's character, Matthew 6:24 and Luke 16:13) will eventually come out to be seen and heard.
In order to develop in us an increasingly mature, Christlike walk, our heart must be re-Established. The Holy and Royal Law of GOD is not designed to change men's hearts. GOD's Grace is the essential and sufficient cause to bring about this desired work of Godliness, restored. "It is good that the heart be Established by Grace."
Once more we have powerful biblical insight showing us that Grace is not only GOD's Provision to forgive and birth us into His Family, but Grace is also His Resource for Maturing us as His children."
Christ's Words Concerning Obedience:
The Base Rock of Character:
Matthew 7:24-27 (Jesus is speaking) "Everyone then who hears these words of Mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. (Daniel identifies this rock as being Christ in chapter 2 as a stone) And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not do them Will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it."
Essential to Membership in GOD's Family:
Matthew 12:46-50 "While He was still speaking to the people, behold, His mother and brothers stood outside, asking to speak to Him. But He replied to the man who told Him, "Who is My mother, and who are My brothers?" And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, "Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the Will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother."
The Key to Spiritual Knowledge:
John 7:14-18 "About the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and began teaching. The Jews (composed of the elitist's of the doctors, lawyers,and the Priesthood) therefore marveled, saying, "How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?" So Jesus answered them, "My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone's will is to do GOD's Will, he will know whether the teaching is from GOD or whether I am speaking on My own authority. The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of Him Who sent Him is true, and in Him there is no falsehood."
Secures the Blessing of Divine Fellowship:
John 14:18-24 and 1John 2:17 "I will not leave you as orphans; I Will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I Live, you also Will Live. In that day you Will Know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. Whoever has My Commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me. And he who loves Me Will be loved by My Father, and I Will love him and manifest Myself to (within) him." Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, "Lord, how is it that you will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?" Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and We Will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love Me does not keep My words. And the word that you hear is not Mine but the Father's Who sent Me."
1John 2:15-17 "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the Will of God abides forever."
For more revelation and understanding please take it upon yourself to read John 17 and the LORD's Intercessory Prayer found there. As it covers: the Definition of Eternal Life in verse 2 thru 4, the Prayer of Restoration in verses 5 thru 8, a Special Prayer of the Church in verses 9 thru 14, a Prayer that the Church may be Kept Pure in verses 15 thru 20, a Prayer for the Unity of the Church in verses 21 thru 22 and the Exaltation of the Church in verses 23 thru 26.
No comments:
Post a Comment