And Hath Given Himself For Us An Offering - Part 1105

The preface of a book entitled, "Holiest of All" and written by A. Murray in 1921 states: "The great complaint of all who have the care of souls is the lack of whole-heartedness, of steadfastness, of perseverance and progress in the Christian life. Many of whom one cannot but hope that they are true Christians come to a standstill, and do not advance beyond the rudiments of Christian life and practice ... [but] the knowledge of Christ Jesus that we need for conversion does not suffice for growth, for progress, for sanctification, for maturity. Just as there are two dispensations, the Old Testament and the New, and the saints of the Old, with all their faith and fear of God could not obtain the the more perfect life of the New, so with the two stages in the Christian life of which the Epistle speaks. Those who, through sloth, remain babes in Christ and do not press on to maturity, are ever in danger of hardening their heart, of coming short and falling away. Only those who hold fast the beginning firm to the end, who give diligence to enter and rest, who press on unto perfection, do in very deed inherit and enjoy the wonderful new covenant blessings secured to us in Christ ..."

I find this interesting for two reasons. First, if this was the state of believers within the body of Christ in the 1920's, how should we be assessing the modern day church today? Second, it seems that even in Murray's summation, he is speaking of the first principles of the doctrine of Christ which is referred to primarily as milk. (Hebrews 6:1-2) The question that emerges is this. When will believers in Jesus by faith begin seeking Jesus with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, so that we too can inherit and enjoy the wonderful new covenant blessings secured in Christ?

"In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will -- that we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ, in whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the Word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise." (Ephesians 1:11-13)

However, our faith journey with Jesus should not just start and end with our salvation, and the promise of eternal life.

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." (Romans 10:9)

We should also want to seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Indeed, Romans 10:9 in context of the scriptures before and after verse 9 states:

"But what saith it? The Word is nigh thee, [even] in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the Word of faith, which we preach -- that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:8-10)

In other words, salvation is only the beginning of our walk with the King of kings and Lord of lords. In fact, our minds should be renewed -- awakened from the blindness that clothed us prior to believing in Jesus by faith. (Ephesians 4:23) The place wherein we were once blind but now we see. (John 9:25-30) The state wherein we were sick but our Saviour reached out His hand in love and made us well. We should be proclaiming -- like the blind man, "Why herein is a marvelous thing, that ye know not from whence He is, and yet He hath opened mine eyes." (John 9:30)

For while we were sometimes in darkness, we are now light in the Lord. (Ephesians 5:8)

Jesus instructed us to further our faith, saying, "He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me; and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him and will manifest Myself to him ... if a man love Me, he will keep My words, and My Father will love him, and we will come unto Him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth Me not keepeth not My sayings, and the Word which ye hear is not Mine, but the Father's which sent Me. These things have I spoken unto you -- being [yet] present with you -- but the Comforter [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name -- He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." (John 14:21-26)

Therefore, we are to be "followers of God as dear children and walk in love -- as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour .." (Ephesians 5:1-2)

And as Isaiah wrote -- to "rejoice greatly in the LORD, My soul will exult in my God; For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels ..." (Isaiah 61:10)

Don't get stagnate in your faith in our Lord God and Saviour. Seek His wisdom and knowledge for your life. "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32) Stand firm in your testimony -- as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. (Isaiah 61:10) Stand in the offering plate.