“Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature.” 2 Peter 1:4
Dear Ones:
The “promise of the Father,” of which the Lord Jesus spoke, being assembled with the disciples after the resurrection, certainly had its origin in the Father before the world began. Throughout the Old Testament, there are declarations concerning the “pouring out” of the Spirit. Perhaps the most significant of these prophecies, and promises, is that found in the book of Joel. This is so because of the fulfillment of the promise on the day of Pentecost, when the Spirit of God was poured out “…upon all flesh.” (Joel 2:28, Acts 2:17). It is noteworthy that this promise, with its vast, eternal, and life-changing ramifications, was addressed to believers, those individuals who would lay hold upon it by faith, and then pray until it was realized. An example of this type of praying is seen in the prophet Elijah, who had a promise, that of rain being sent by God upon the earth, after three and a half years of drought. He would climb to the top of Mt. Carmel, there to persevere in prayer until there was the physical realization, and manifestation, of the promise fulfilled. This manner of praying would also be true of the disciples in the upper room after being commanded to remain in Jerusalem to “…wait for the promise of the Father.” They would continue in prayer and supplication, with one accord, in one place. Scripture tells us that, “Suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind…” (Acts 2:2) This was the beginning of the revelation of prayer answered, and a promise fulfilled. The Spirit of Pentecost had come to give power to believers, that they should proclaim the works of God to the ends of the earth. God by the Spirit, came to indwell the believers on Pentecost, baptizing them into an inseparable union with the Son of God, to dwell in them, and fulfill in them His purposes of reaching the world with the life-changing gospel. Pentecost was a clarion call of God to the church to rise up, and believe Christ, who had just become the Head of His body, the church. The Almighty, gracious and merciful God, had come to indwell His temple, on an individual level, but also on a corporate level, in order to fill the church with the testimony of His life and power. The message and demonstration of the Spirit would spread throughout the then known world, continuing to spread until this very day. The question then arises for all believers: Have we taken earnest heed to the things which we have heard,” or have we let them slip? Have we come short of grasping, and wholly believing God, for the fulfilment of His promise(s) to us? For, it is by the promises of God, that we are made partakers of Christ.
In Paul’s two letters to Timothy, his son in the faith, he is ever seeking to bring Timothy into the consistent position, practice, and power, of grasping all that is possible in Christ for him to know, and communicate to others. How does he do this, and how does this knowledge apply to our lives?
The specific calling of God seems to be one of the great truths of the foundation upon which Paul stands, as he approaches the subject of knowing Christ, and making Him known. He begins by writing: “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God and Savior, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope.” (1 Tim. 1:1) The knowledge of one’s calling is essential to faith being able to lay hold on God for all that is true concerning that calling. The calling is irrevocable, as are the gifts. According to that calling, all the resources in Christ are available to the Christian, for the fulfillment of God’s purpose in the life. It is true also, that when the created, and redeemed, “vessel” yields to the purpose and will of God for his life, the focus of the life becomes singular.
Dear Father, Strengthen us to heed the promise, laying hold on life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad