“…And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:11
Dear Ones:
The Apostle Paul, in writing to the Ephesian believers, spoke of a tremendous contrast between a life lived without God, and one where Christ by His Spirit has come to dwell in the heart and life. He wrote: “Among whom also we ALL had our conversation (manner of life) in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh, and of the mind: and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” (Eph. 2:3) The picture that the spirit of God paints here for us is of a situation, a status in life, a life that is lived in a certain way which cannot change. It is a life that is dominated by something other than God, existing in opposition to God, the nature of which is diametrically the opposite of God. The end of that existence is death, physical death, which all men will know apart from the coming of the Lord Jesus. There is also a second death, which is that spiritual separation from God, the Creator and Redeemer. It is a separation, a impassible gulf, between all that is good and holy, and that which is the essence and manifestation of godlessness, being forever the prisoner of the god of this world, and not of Christ. Such a hopeless and helpless situation and state would be very dark indeed, were it not for the sole and unique intervention of God, according to the greatness of His mercy and grace. Hence, the Apostle Paul stands upon the mountain of history, looking at the nature and night of man’s existence, and realizes there is but one answer, one deterrent from eternal death. It is only, and wholly, forever, God in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself. This great God, “rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us,” stands with outstretched arms, calling to the sinner to come, and be saved. Christ has been given the power and authority from the Father, to save the soul which will truly come to Him to be saved, and delivered. The words, “But God,” take on a monumental significance in the life of the believer, for they symbolize the last, and yet, total and perfect solution to stop the downward decent into hell, lifting up the life to know Christ’s joy, forgiveness of sin, and a righteousness without blemish. But why is there such a small “gate,” and such a narrow path, that leads to Him? Perhaps it is designed in this way so that the individual soul will realize without a doubt, that God is real and true, and is willing to give strength to the strengthless soul, that he may believe and live. By an act of the Father, the believer is placed into Jesus Christ, his wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. It is for this reason that the Apostle then writes, “He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”
In the story of Gideon in the Old Testament, we find that in his time, the people of Israel had become idolaters, worshippers of Baal, instead of God. Even the father of Gideon was such an one. God would allow Israel’s enemies to come and ravage the country, “destroying the increase of the earth.” Israel was forced to live in caves and dens in the mountains. There was NO hope or apparent help from anyone in the face of such a multitude of enemies. However, Israel cried to the Lord. God sends a prophet to tell Israel of the reason for which she is oppressed. Then, He calls Gideon to deliver Israel. As in the case of Paul writing to the Ephesians, declaring that God alone was the reason for which they were saved, so in the case of Israel here. God alone would be their Savior. God will use just three hundred men to save the entire nation.
Dear Father, Give us to see that You alone can, and will, save the seeking heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad