Let Us Therefore Come Boldly Unto The Throne Of Grace, That We May Obtain Mercy, And Find Grace To Help In Time Of Need - Part 1789

"Thus saith the Lord God; he that hears, let him hear, and he that forbears, let him forbear, for they are a rebellious house ..." (Ezekiel 3:27)

Paul and Barnabas were known for waxing bold. In fact, when it came to preaching the good news gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, there was no mincing words. As a consequence, many communities were divided when these these apostles came to preach. So it should not come as a surprise, when the Jews rejected the preaching of Jesus by the apostles, that Paul and Barnabas would say to them -- "It was necessary that the Word of God should first have been spoken to you; but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, "I have set Thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that Thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth." (Acts 13:45-48)

Herein, a turning point had been made, and for this reason, the apostles were determined, because of the mercy they received to faint not. The Lord was embarking on a new work, wherein the people He called would be a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light ..." (I Peter 2:9)

"But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the Word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost; in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God should shine unto them ... for we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants fro Jesus' sake." (I Corinthians 4:1-5)

Why? Because of the love and mercy that God Himself extended to His beloved creation, at a cost so high that most find it difficult to read the totality of the brutality of the cross, wherein He became the perfect sacrifice for you and I. The apostles knew in their hearts that there is no greater profession to be had, and not any more rewarding, than becoming a fisher of men.

For these knew, that 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. But we have this treasure in earthly vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. While troubled on every side, yet not distressed, we are perplexed, but not in despair. Persecuted, but not forsaken, cast down but not destroyed. Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus that the life also of Jesus may be made manifest in our body.

"For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death works in us, but life in you ... we having the same Spirit of faith, according as it is written, "I believed,  and therefore have I spoken; we also believe and therefore, speak, knowing that He which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present [us] with you, for all things are for your sakes that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God."

It is for this reason that the apostles fainted not in the ministry, even though as Paul confirmed, "though our outward man perish" -- because the inward [man] is renewed day by day.

"For our light affliction," -- the beatings, being jailed, left for dead, shipwrecked, thrown over a cliff, etc., for Paul was but for a moment because in the long run the ministry "worth for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen [are] eternal."

If only we understood that in counting the cost, we have a higher purpose than just trudging through the life trenches of this world. And even when we may be delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, it is so that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. Thus, press into the mark of your high calling which is Christ Jesus in your heart. Let Him renew your mind and soul with His presence.

Stand in the offering plate.