Can two walk as one except they be joined together? Is the area that I am currently looking into. In this blog, I will attempt to look at two more areas, they being the peril of an empty heart and the other spiritual fullness that satisfies our deepest need. But first Pastor Hoekstra and his teaching on Grace as witnessed by Jeremiah. Where he is contrasting two options. All the while under the led of the LORD and then with the use of the ESV translation I will look into the two subjects of this post.
"More on Jeremiah Contrasting the Two Options on Trust"
"Thus says the LORD: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength . . . Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but her leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit." (Jeremiah 17:5, 7-8)
"We are considering Jeremiah's contrasting the two options on trust. As we noted, there are only two choices for mankind: man or GOD. When man is the object of our hope, the result is the curse of spiritual barrenness. "Cursed is the man who trusts in man." Contrariwise, when GOD is the object of our dependency, the result is great blessing. "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD."
The spiritual blessing that comes from trusting in the LORD is likened to a tree that is growing by the continual flow of a river. "For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters." The riverside is the ideal location for developing a flourishing tree. Trusting in the LORD is the only setting in which a flourishing spiritual life can be developed. A tree that is located by the river sends out its roots to take in more and more life-giving water: "which spreads out its roots by the river." The Christian who is hoping in the LORD [as Abraham, Isaac and then Jacob did are counted as being Abraham's seed. Because faith is likened to the least of all seeds, Jesus spoke of it as a grain of mustard seed.] finds the life his inner man cherishes, and he reaches out for more of that life for which he yearns.
When the heat of drought comes, it is a dreadful threat to plant-life (unless the plant is located beside a sufficient river). When the heat of battle or impossible circumstances arise, they can pose a fearful threat. Even a child of God is tempted to be anxious. However, if the LORD is our hope, we "will not fear when heat comes . . . and will not be anxious in the year of drought." Instead, we will continue in growth and spiritual fruitfulness [as faith is likened to a mustard seed grows into a vary large tree]. "Her leaf will be green, and will not . . . cease from yielding fruit." It is the spirit of man that grows in the knowledge of the great Truth of GOD's transformation within us. Making two as One being.
What radically different results come from trusting in GOD (instead of hoping in man). We receive spiritual blessing (instead of a cursing). Our spiritual life is like a luxuriant tree beside a river (instead of like a shrub in the desert). We experience the Grace resources of GOD (instead of the flesh resources of man)."
The Perils of an Empty Heart,
Matthew 12:43-45 "When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation [mankind in its satan governed state]."
Spiritual Fullness Satisfies the Deepest need:
The Overflowing Cup,
Psalm 23:4-6 "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever."
Fullness of Blessing,
Malachi 3:8-12 and Matthew 5:6 "Will man rob GOD? Yet you are robbing Me. But you say, 'How have we robbed You?' In your tithes and contributions. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you [no worship in spirit and truth, not setting GOD in first place]. Bring the full tithe into the storehouse [the family carries the name or sign as an anointing of its patriarch], that there may be food [meat torn from a prey or beast of prey] in My house. And thereby put Me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing [light en Grace, grace upon even more Grace] until there is no more need. I will rebuke the devourer [the prey] for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil [our worship of our heart through our mouth, in spirit and truth, our Praise], and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the LORD of hosts. Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the LORD of hosts [the army of GOD]."
Matthew 5:6 (Jesus is speaking) "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied."
Fullness of Joy,
John 15:1-11 and Romans 15:22-29 (Jesus is speaking) "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit HE takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit HE prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing [as a man who trusts solely in man is cursed with a curse]. If anyone does not abide in Me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be My disciples. As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full."
Romans 15:22-29 "This is the reason why I have so often been hindered from coming to you. But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you, I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while. At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings. When therefore I have completed this and have delivered to them what has been collected, I will leave for Spain by way of you. I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ."
Full of GOD,
Ephesians 3:14-19 "For this reason I bow my knees before the Father [the Patriarch Head of His family], from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of His glory HE may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."
Fullness of the Spirit,
Ephesians 5:15-21 "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Will of the LORD is. Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the LORD with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to GOD the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ [in them]."
Fullness of Wisdom,
Colossians 1:9-14, 15-20 "For from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His Will [plan and purpose found in His word and law] in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the LORD, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of GOD. May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, Who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in Whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
He is the image of the invisible GOD, the firstborn of all creation [as seen in Genesis 1:1-3 and John 1:1-5]. For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. HE is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything He might be preeminent. For in Him all the fullness of GOD was pleased to dwell, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of His cross."
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