The Glorious Gospel of Christ Who Is the Image of God - Part 817

In Romans chapter eleven, we read that Israel had not obtained the promise which was sought, at least not at that time. Instead, God had given the Israelites a "spirit of slumber." Even so, the scriptures acknowledge that there were seven thousand men, who had not bowed the knee to the image of Ba-al. These God said, “He had reserved unto Himself.” (Romans 11:3-4) But the scripture also notes that the rest were blinded.

According, as it is written, "God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear, unto this day." (Romans 11:8) 

The scriptures explain their spiritual blindness this way. "Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid; but rather "through their fall, salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles, how much more their fullness?" (Romans 11:14)  

Paul is acknowledging here that because of the Israelites refusal to believe that  Jesus is the promised Messiah, prophesied of as their Lord God and Saviour throughout the ages, the Gentiles -- you and I -- have been given an opportunity to experience God's grace and mercy and goodness by adoption. 

This is good news. We do not need to be in a spiritual slumber. "For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost." (Matthew 18:11; Luke 19:10) Who did Jesus come to save? Yes, you and I who -- even from birth -- had already fallen short of the glory of God. But He doesn't leave us there. Jesus came so that we might see. He shed His precious blood on the cross so that we might have life -- and life "more" abundantly. 

In the book of John, Jesus said, "For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not -- might see." (John 9:39) 

But again, Jesus did not stop there. Throughout His time on earth, Jesus showed us how "they that are whole have no need of the physician but [rather] they that are sick." And as such, Jesus said, "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Mark 2:17) In other words, Jesus came so that you and I could know Him personally and experience His divine plan for our lives. 

So, for those who seek Jesus and His righteousness, there is hope. We have not been left in darkness. Rather, when we believe in Jesus by faith, and seek His righteousness, we become the "children of light, and the children of the day. We are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore, let us not sleep, as do others ... and let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet, the hope of salvation." (I Thessalonians 5:4-8)

Moreover, become confident knowing that "God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep [on that blessed day when Jesus returns] we should live together with Him." (I Thessalonians 5:9-10)

And, in the interim? Follow that which is good among yourselves and to all men. "Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything, give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesying. Prove all things -- hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearances of evil. And [may] the very God of peace sanctify you wholly [so] your whole spirit and soul and body [is] preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." (I Thessalonians 5:15-23)

Similarly faint not in the preaching of the gospel of our Lord God and Saviour and His kingdom. Be effectual in all our communications. Why? Because the same God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (II Corinthians 4:6)

Pray also that we "might be [continually] filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and understanding. That [we] might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God. Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness ... giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light." (Colossians 1:9-12)

And remember, never lose our first love because Jesus first loved us.  "What manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God ... Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is." (I John 3:1-2)

Let him who hath ears to hear, hear. Stand in the offering plate.