Blessed
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On Fri, Nov 12, 2021 at 7:23 AM, mike mcinnis<ratmotor@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
GRACE GAZETTE
Volume XIX Issue 47
Published occasionally for mourners in Zion
Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make
straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the
way; but let it rather be healed.
Hebrews
12::12-13
STEADFASTNESS OF FAITH
For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying
and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.
Colossians 2:5
Those who are born again by the operation of the SPIRIT of GOD and indwelt by
the same, are each introduced to a warfare which heretofore they had not been
acquainted with. When a man is dead in trespasses and sins, he may have
natural qualms of conscience (in varying degrees) which produce in him feelings
of regret and sorrow for what he perceives are moral failures and lapses on his
part. To a greater or lesser extent, he may express remorse for his actions and
even become depressed because of what he considers, weakness or even “sin” as
he might define it. Yet he only laments his actions and has no concern for the
root cause of his state, nor the pervasive depravity which underlies his whole
being.
The work of the SPIRIT of GOD is to convince men of “sin, righteousness, and
judgement”. This “convincing” work is that which causes a man to begin to
despair of any sort of relief from the curse of sin which he is increasingly
made aware of. This despair is more gradual in some than in others according
to the good pleasure of GOD, but all who are taught by the SPIRIT are
confronted with their innate wickedness and inability to deliver themselves
from it. It is this awareness that moves them (i.e.; the power of the HOLY
GHOST) to cry out to the LORD for help, calling upon HIS NAME. This is the
initial work of the LORD in HIS people to make them willing in the day of HIS
power.
That man in this condition, upon hearing the gospel, must believe it, for there
is a testimony by the same SPIRIT that JESUS CHRIST is the WAY, the TRUTH, and
the LIFE. That man thus awakened by the SPIRIT and shown the glory of CHRIST
believes that which he hears, and gladly embraces CHRIST JESUS as LORD and
MASTER. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
(Rom 10:17) “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of
yourselves: it is the gift of God.” (Eph 2:8)
This work of “faith” is performed in the sons of GOD in order that CHRIST might
be glorified, and it is this work of salvation which manifests the LORD’s
purpose in the redemption of those for whom HE died. “For we are his
workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before
ordained that we should walk in them.” (Eph 2:10) Thus these same sons are
brought along a pathway which is marked out by the LORD and culminates in their
glorification and the gift of an inheritance with CHRIST forever. “That in the
ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness
toward us through Christ Jesus.” (Eph 2:7)
In their passage through this world of sin and sorrow, HE will demonstrate that
HE does indeed put a difference between HIS sons and the children of wrath.
They are a “holy people” (i.e.; set apart) unto the LORD. They are a
“peculiar” people, in that HE works in them both to will and to do of HIS good
pleasure, quite in contrast to the men of this world who are left to pursue
their own way unto that very end, manifesting their appointment unto
destruction. “For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou
that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory,
as if thou hadst not received it?” (1Cor 4:7)
The evidence of this work in the sons of GOD is seen as they are embroiled in a
life and death struggle with their sinful flesh which according to that “new
nature” which HE has given them, does ever strive against that flesh which once
had free reign over them. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new
creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2Cor
5:17) “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the
flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the
things that ye would.” (Gal 5:17) Paul describes this warfare and its outcome
quite clearly, “For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see
another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me
into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I
am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus
Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with
the flesh the law of sin.” (Rom 7:22-25)
So, because of this continuing conflict, which often leaves the sons of GOD,
discouraged and mindful of their great weakness, the LORD does bring great
encouragement to them by the recognition of the mutual faith which is shared by
those in whom HE is pleased to work and causes them to have fellowship with
(whether in actual acquaintance or reported faithfulness; see Heb. 12:1,2) one
another. Thus, we read in Paul’s letter to the Colossians his great joy in
considering the “steadfastness” of their faith in CHRIST.
The term “steadfast” means to stand one’s ground, to be resolute, or unmovable.
The “FAITH” of GOD’s elect is CHRIST. Not CHRIST plus something nor anything
less than CHRIST. HE is the “ROCK” of their SALVATION who cannot be moved.
Thus, when Paul speaks of the “steadfastness” of their faith, he is primarily
considering the OBJECT of their FAITH. It is impossible to have “steadfast”
faith if the basis upon which that faith rests is not “steadfast”. Having
established this FOUNDATION, he then considers the faithful work of the HOLY
GHOST in keeping them from falling, which men left to themselves will surely do.
The saints of GOD are encouraged and built up in the FAITH by the mutual and
shared belief in CHRIST and HIM crucified, of each one. When we see brethren
faithfully following on to know the LORD and walking in obedience to HIS
precepts, we cannot help but be strengthened and reminded of the goodness of
the LORD to lead HIS sheep in and out to find pasture. We sometimes doubt our
own standing in the LORD (since we are acquainted first hand with the
self-deception we are prone to) yet we are encouraged by the work of the LORD
in our brethren whom HE has given us great esteem for. This is why a regular
assembling of ourselves together is of such vital need.
Over the course of his life, Paul, saw many walk away from the faith which they
once professed. This is why he often warned those to whom he wrote, to watch
and pray; to be diligent in that to which the LORD called them. This is why he
warned the Ephesian elders, with tears, to beware of wolves in sheep’s
clothing. There are multitudes of avenues down which false professors may be
turned aside, but there is only ONE PATH wherein the DAYSTAR shines and the
TRUTH is manifest. So, when the LORD is pleased to enable us to behold the
“steadfastness” of the FAITH of HIS elect, we cannot help but be inspired to
fight the good fight and lay hold upon ETERNAL LIFE. As we see “faithful”
brethren, we are encouraged and made to rejoice in the LORD whose faithfulness
is new every morning.
The “steadfastness” of the FAITH of the brethren whom we observe, serves to
remind us that it is “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but
according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and
renewing of the Holy Ghost.” (Tit 3:5) If HE faithfully keeps our brethren from
falling, will HE not do so for us, and all who tremble before HIM, though we
declare our own weakness in faith, confessing with him who said, “Lord, I
believe; help thou mine unbelief.” (Mar 9:24) “ But ye are come unto mount
Sion, -- To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written
in heaven, --- And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood
of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. (Heb 12:22-24)
Have you come unto HIM? mam
