Over the years of the blog, I have endeavored to uncover the mysteries or the secrets of Christ, some times stated, the secrets of GOD, as in Deuteronomy 29:29 and else where in scripture as mysteries. By doing so one who followed these writings would find a slow growth in understanding the revelation of Christ, not only in me but themselves as well. This is as GOD our Father intended lone ago. Now for Pastor Hoekstra and his teaching on Grace, the person of Christ. And then on to security and safety for those established en Christ, our Firm Establishment, with the use of the ESV translation.
"The Old Covenant Demand of Obedience"
"Now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the LORD and His statutes which I command you today for your good? . . . This day the LORD your God commands you to observe these statutes and judgments; therefore you shall be careful to observe them with all your heart and with all your soul." (Deuteronomy 10:12-13 and 26:16)
"As we saw in our previous meditation, the Grace of GOD provides what we need for growing in a life of obedience. Now we will begin to see that God's law demands obedience (whole-hearted obedience), but it does not provide the necessary spiritual resources for living an obedient life.
When Israel was about to enter the Promised Land, Moses restated what God's law required, as given him. "Now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but . . . to walk in all His ways . . . and to keep the commandments of the LORD . . . therefore you shall be careful to observe them with all your heart and with all your soul." Remember, the commandments of God called for holy living. "You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy" (Leviticus 19:2). The measurement for this required holiness was GOD Himself. This represented a high and lofty standard, far beyond what man could reach on his own.
Additionally, God was not calling them to an external religious behaviorism, but to wholehearted obedience: "keep the commandments . . . observe them with all your heart." From deep within their innermost being, the children of Israel were to fully obey the LORD. They were to truly and sincerely observe all that the LORD had commanded. There were to be no inner reservations or hesitations.
What the this Law demanded was good. "The Law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good" (Romans 7:12). Yet, the resources were lacking. Man could not measure up on his own. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Furthermore, this perfect Law offered no help to change man into what it required. "The Law made nothing perfect" (Hebrews 7:19). Praise God, there is a provision that can accomplish what this Law cannot do. "On the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope" (Hebrews 7:19). That effective hope is the Grace of GOD." Grace, as with Truth, light and Love are a person and not a thing, a person Who is Spirit as is GOD Spirit or Light. And unlimited resource of power and extreme Authority.
Our being Firmly Established:
2Chronicles 20:20-23 "They rose early in the morning and went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. And when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Hear me, Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe (in) the LORD your God, and you will be established; believe His prophets, and you will succeed." And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the LORD and praise Him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say, "Give thanks to the LORD, for His steadfast love endures forever." And when they began to sing and praise, the LORD set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed. For the men of Ammon and Moab rose against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, devoting them to destruction, and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they all helped to destroy one another."
Psalm 40:1-3 "I waited patiently for the LORD; He inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD."
Psalm 112:7-9, 10 "He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD. His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries. He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn is exalted in honor.
The wicked man sees it and is angry; he gnashes his teeth and melts away; the desire of the wicked will perish!"
Proverbs 12:15-22 "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult. Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit. There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment. Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy. No ill befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble. Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are His delight."
Isaiah 54:11-17 "O afflicted one, storm-tossed and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in antimony, and lay your foundations with sapphires. I will make your pinnacles of agate, your gates of carbuncles, and all your wall of precious stones. All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children. In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you. If anyone stirs up strife, it is not from Me; whoever stirs up strife with you shall fall because of you. Behold, I have created the smith who blows the fire of coals and produces a weapon for its purpose. I have also created the ravager to destroy; no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD and their vindication from Me, declares the LORD."
Romans 16:25-27 "To Him Who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal GOD, to bring about the obedience of faith— to the only wise GOD be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ!"
Colossians 2:6-7 "Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."
2Thessalonians 2:16-17 "Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and GOD our Father, Who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through Grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word."
Hebrews 13:7-16 "Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by Grace, not by foods (religions customs, rituals, holidays, Sabbaths, rites and ceremonies), which have not benefited those devoted to them. We have an altar from which those who serve the tent (or Temple) have no right to eat. For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through His own blood. Therefore let us go to Him outside the camp (the worlds religions) and bear the reproach He endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. Through Him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to GOD, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to GOD."
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