I am getting to the point that I can see the light at the end of our tunnel, which is much like the horizon on a long winding road or the top of a high hill that one claims with no visible end in sight and is some what like looking at a long cast shadow of a tree when the image of the tree is all that is there but having no tree in sight. We have a unknown knowledge of what it is that we are anticipating but have not yet reached our goal. And so it was with the Prophets long ago. Christ was before and at creation as was the LORD and the Lord Jesus was with GOD when the Holy Spirit spoke to the yet spirit man and woman and said, be fruitful multiple and have dominion over the fish and birds and animals and creeping things, every thing that has the breath of life in it, that which I AM creating for you to dwell upon. Then this spirit man and woman rested with GOD in HIS Sabbath rest of the seventh day for it is Holy GODS day. Now turning to Pastor Hoekstra's pen and his chosen subject of Grace. And then I will look at Spiritual Hearing of Believers. Making use of the ESV translation and as always when the LORD directs editing will be done up the text.
"More on the Resurrection and Sanctification"
"I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord . . . That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection." (Philippians 3:8, 10)
"Sanctification is that process whereby the Redeemed are increasingly set apart for the purposes, use, and glory of GOD. The Resurrection of Christ and the power of that Resurrection are interwoven into that entire process. Our present passage offers additional insight into this sublime Truth.
The power of the Resurrection is again in view. However, the context involves more than heavenly empowerment: "That I may know Him and the power of His Resurrection." The primary context is getting to know the LORD. "I also count all things loss for the excellence of the Knowledge of Christ Jesus my LORD." Paul's passion was to know His LORD, to become more intimately acquainted with Him. He refers to this blessed goal as the greatest value available in all of creation: "I also count all things loss for the excellence of the Knowledge of Christ," Paul was ready to lose anything in order gain more Intimacy with the risen LORD. To him, such a knowing of Christ was "the excellence" This could be translated, "the excelling value."
Our own Relationship with the LORD began in "the power of His Resurrection." We were dead in our sins, and the LORD raised us to New Life, as we believed upon Him. What a wonderful way to start out our acquaintanceship with GOD. A glorious season of joy and gratitude accompanied this personal resurrection. His Resurrection power gave us such a great appreciation of who our LORD actually was, a the GOD of might and power, Universal Authority.
As time marched along, we discovered that there are other ways to get to know our LORD more fully: namely, "the fellowship of His sufferings." Many of us who walk daily in Christ were startled when, after believing Jesus, we encountered some personal suffering. In our early joyous days with Christ Jesus, we maybe assumed that trials would never come our way. Eventually, we began to suffer as Jesus did (for doing the right things, for righteousness sake). "For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps," it states this in 1Peter 2:21. How much deeper did our spiritual Relationship with Him grow in those trials. We learned more of the difficult path He walked here on earth. We found out how faithful and compassionate He was when we called upon Him in our need. Once more, our love for Him grew."
Hearing:
Believers Spiritual Hearing,
Proverbs 8:32-36 "And now, O sons, listen to Me: blessed are those who keep My ways. Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it. Blessed is the one who listens to Me, watching daily at My gates, waiting beside My doors. For whoever finds Me finds Life and obtains favor from the LORD, but he who fails to find Me injures himself; all who hate Me love death."
Proverbs 15:28-33 "The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things. The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous. The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes the bones. The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence. The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor."
Ecclesiastes 5:1-3 and Habakkuk 3:2 "Guard your steps when you go to the house of GOD. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before GOD, for GOD is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. For a dream comes with much business, and a fool's voice with many words."
Habakkuk 3:2 "O LORD, I have heard the report of You, and Your work, O LORD, do I fear. In the midst of the years revive it; in the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy."
Luke 8:11-15 (Jesus is speaking) "Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of GOD. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience."
James 1:19-25 "Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the Righteousness of GOD. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."
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