“For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Romans 8:29
Dear Ones:
In the Gospels, the Lord taught His disciples to believe in the goodness of God, and this by means of prayer. He wrote: “…how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him?” (Matt. 7:11) In Luke’s Gospel, the Lord goes even farther, by declaring: “…how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?” (11:13) In both passages, the Lord addresses the issue of “goodness” as opposed to the sinfulness, and “evil,” of men, who seek to give good gifts to their children. Why does He do this? It is to reveal to men the distinct and separate nature of God from that of sinful man. God’s perspective of true and lasting “goodness” is that which only comes from heaven, and is of God.
When Moses asked to see the glory of God, the Lord granted him his request by causing, “…all My goodness pass before thee.” (Exodus 33:19) Why does God declare this, adding that He would also, “…proclaim the name of the Lord before thee?” Again, it is to draw a very clear distinction between the terrible need and state of natural man, as compared with the glory of God. When the Lord revealed this “goodness” to Moses, He “…passed by before him, and proclaimed, ‘The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.” (34:6) Herein is the revelation of God in His goodness, and the unveiling of His perfect mercy and grace, and longsuffering towards man. So, with this tremendous contrast, what is the Lord unveiling to us? Ultimately, it is the ultimate purpose of God in sending Christ to die on Calvary, rise from the dead, and be seated at the right hand of God over all the powers of darkness. It is the unveiling of the only One who is Good and Holy, Perfect and True. To sinful man Christ has come, to save us all…for He died for all. But He did not come just to save us from sin and death, and all the consequences of the curse. He came to put his goodness, even HIMSELF, into the heart of sinful, but forgiven and cleansed man. The great salvation which Christ came to win, and to give, to those who would truly repent and believe in Him, was one where all sin of the individual sinner was washed away, his soul, spirit, and body, “washed in the blood of the Lamb.” Christ’s resurrection was the declaration of God, not only that He has power to save, and overcome all the power of the enemy, but that his authority reaches down to the individual sinner, for whom He “commands the blessing.” What is that ultimate blessing on this earth? It is the coming of Christ to the door of the heart, gaining access into the life, so that the power of His holy, good, and victorious life, should be revealed, “…on earth as it IS in heaven.” The question is: Who will see this, and believe Him for it? Who will trust Him today for the thorough cleansing from sin? David sought this when he prayed: “Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin?” (Ps. 51:2) The Apostle John would confirm this imperative: “…If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness.” (1 Jn. 1:9) Secondly, who will rise up, shake off his guilty fears, behold the Sacrifice, who in the presence of the Father stands and intercedes for us? Who will believe God, that the outpouring of the Spirit, and the consequent fullness of the Spirit, is for the individual TODAY? Who will rise up and call Him blessed, and receive from Him this “full salvation,” in order that the blessed, GOOD and HOLY life of Christ, should be formed in us, thus transforming us into His image?
Dear Father, Reveal Christ in us today by the power of the Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad