“Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard lest at any time we should let them slip.” Hebrews 2:1
How great is this salvation which Christ has won for us on Calvary? What are its dimensions, longevity, and magnitude? What about its unchanging character, and the faithful Author of it? How is it to be known, and experienced, in its greatness? Did not the Apostle Paul write: “…Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us?” (Eph. 3:20) Certainly, from heaven’s standpoint, that which is the will of God, and the accompanying blessings, are such as to exceed the ability of man to grasp its meaning and power. How then are we to know something of the greatness of this salvation? Basic to every consideration of this topic is the testimony of the word of God. Upon that word rests the entire matter in knowledge and substance. Hence, the author of the epistle to the Hebrews writes: “For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?” (2:2,3) In the fourth chapter, concerning the “rest” that God intends for His people, he brings us squarely, face to face, with the power of the word of God: “For the word of God is quick (living), and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword.” (4:12) Why does He do this, and why does Isaiah deal with the word of God in like manner, especially with regard to its purpose and power? It is because this great salvation can only be known by, and according to, the word of God. That which we DO with the word of God, and consequently, what the word of God does in us, will determine if we are earnest in our pursuit of God, not neglecting the means by which the power of Christ is known in the life. How then does the word of God work to bring us to see something of this great salvation, and then, to reveal to us God’s ways by which we can know it in our lives?
In the book of Proverbs, we read the following: “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” (29:18) In this verse, we begin to see the importance of a vision, a perception according to God, and His word, of the spiritual reality of that time. When Samuel was a small boy, the spiritual condition, and life, of Israel was at a low ebb. Scripture tells us: “And the word of the Lord was precious (rare); there was no open (frequent) vision.” (1 Sam. 3:1) It is apparent that the revealed word of God was that instrument of God to give a vision, a perception of things on earth from a spiritual standpoint. When Samuel grew into manhood, the Lord was with him, and this, to the point where all Israel knew that he was established to be a prophet of the Lord. Scripture tells us concerning the “appearance” of the Lord, and the renewal of a vision of him, that, “…the Lord revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh, by the word of God.” (v.21) God’s means of creating a vision of spiritual reality in the hearts and minds of the people was by using His spoken word.
Great Salvation is not known just by having a vision, or perception, of spiritual things, in particular with regard to the person of God, of Christ. The whole of the Christian experience is also based upon the power of God given to the believer, to obey and partake by faith of Christ’s victory. The matter, and subject, of power in the life by the Spirit is essential, if one is to believe God who is invisible, living in the expectation of the unveiling of this “great salvation” over sin, self, the world, and Satan. “For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.” (1 Cor. 4:20)
Dear Father, Grant us the vision of Thyself, and the power to obey it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.