Unfolding the Glory of the Gospel of God

Through Jesus Christ, God has called us to a very glorious calling. The Good News of God that is found in Jesus Christ cannot get any better. It is not only immaculate – free from fault or error but sublime – supreme or outstanding. It is an exceedingly great privilege given to us, mere mortal beings, to experience and enjoy.

All that I write is what we already know but my attempt is to bring together as one document the salient features of this Good News that we may appreciate it the more and exalt and glorify the Architect of this grand plan and purpose by clinging to Him and loving Him more.
Who is the Architect of this great and glorious plan called the Gospel?

He is the everlasting God who rules in majesty and power through all eternity. He is the great ‘I AM’ who made the heavens and the earth, things seen and unseen.
 

He is eternal, which means that he antedates time and is wholly independent of it. Time began in Him and will end in Him. To it He pays no tribute and from it He suffers no change.
 

He is immutable, which means that He has never changed and can never change in any smallest measure. To change He would need to go from better to worse or from worse to better. He cannot do either, for being perfect He cannot become more perfect, and if He were to become less perfect He would be less than God.
 

He is omniscient, which means that He knows in one free and effortless act all matter, all spirit, all relationships, all events. He has no past and He has no future. He is, and none of the limiting and qualifying terms used of creatures can apply to Him.
 

Love and mercy and righteousness are His, and holiness so inexpressible that no comparisons or figures will avail to express it. Only fire can give even a remote conception of it. In fire He appeared at the burning bush; in the pillar of fire He dwelt through all the long wilderness journey. The fire that glowed between the wings of the cherubim in the holy place was called the “shekinah”, the Presence, through the years of Israel’s glory, and when the Old had given place to the New, He came at Pentecost as a fiery flame and rested upon each disciple.
 

In our being given the privilege to come into His Presence, what a broad world we have to roam in, what a sea to swim in is this God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
 

The above text in italics is an extract taken from “The Pursuit of God”, by A. W. Tozer
 

This very great God who is described above came down to earth for our sakes. Taking the form of man, He lived as a man for over 33 years and not once did He sin. His sinless, unblemished life He offered on the cross as a sacrifice for our sake. Taking upon Himself the punishment that we deserved, He now offers salvation to those who believe in Him and acknowledge the work He did for our sakes. By salvation we mean that He takes away the punishment that is actually due to us because of our sin and wrongdoing so that we should not perish but have eternal life.

For if our sin is still with us and we are not cleansed by the blood of Jesus and we are not forgiven by the mercy of God, then on the Day of Judgment when all must appear before the judgment seat of Christ we shall be condemned to be punished in eternal hell where the fire is not quenched and the worm does not die. In that place there is suffering and torment not for a brief time but for eternity – time without end.

The Glory of the Gospel

Repentance:
 

By the mercy of God and the conviction He brought in my heart, I regretted my past actions and all the things I had done wrong. I came before the Lord Jesus and told Him I was sorry. I asked Him to forgive me and not hold my wrongdoings against me. That very moment, God, Who knows the hearts of all men, took me at my word. He forgave me, called me to Himself and blessed me beyond measure, through Jesus Christ.

Below are the blessings I received in the gospel when I come to the Lord Jesus with a repentant heart.

Through Jesus Christ, our precious Lord and Saviour I am –

1.    Forgiven:

 
(a) Sin, disobedience and rebellion had kept me far away from God. But the blood of Jesus Christ, through His sacrifice on the cross, cleansed me of all my sin, washed me and made me white as snow (Isa. 1:18).

(b) Not only was I cleansed, but also forgiven. All my past disobedience; all my rebellion; all the hurtful things I did or said; God held it to my account no longer (1Jn. 1:9). He said that as far as East is from the West, so far were my sins removed from me (Ps. 103:12). He also promised that He would remember them no more (Isa. 43:25).

(c) If that were not enough, the blood of Jesus Christ freed me from all guilt (Ps. 32:5). The cleansing work of Christ is so powerful that I have no need to feel guilty of any wrong that I had done, however bad it was. The devil’s attempt to accuse me, remind me or make me guilty of my past wrongs cannot stand.

2.    Reconciled:

 
(a) The Bible tells me that I, personally, was a Gentile – not a descendant of Abraham. I was separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise (Eph. 2:12). I was by nature a wild olive tree but through Jesus was grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree (Rom. 11:24).

(b) Not only this, I was disobedient, having no hope and without God in the world (Eph. 2:12). But now by the mercy and kindness of God toward me in Christ Jesus, though I was formerly far off, I have now been brought near (reconciled), by the blood of Christ (Eph. 2:13).

3.    Redeemed:

 
While I lived in disobedience to God, I was a slave to sin (Rom. 6:17). Sin was my master and the outcome of my service to sin was death (Rom. 6:20, 21). There was no other benefit from the things of which I am now ashamed.

(a) But thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, my old self was crucified with Jesus on the cross and my body of sin has been done away with. Now I am no longer a slave to sin (Rom. 6:6). In Christ Jesus, I am a new creation. I can now consider myself dead to sin and alive to God (Rom. 6:11).

(b) Now, since I am under God’s favour (grace), sin shall not be master over me (Rom. 6:14). Because, in Jesus, I have been freed from sin, the members in my body can be slaves of righteousness (Rom. 6:18). I can now walk in the newness of life (Rom. 6:4).

(c) Also, having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, I derive a benefit, that results in sanctification and the outcome, eternal life (Rom. 6:22).

(d) Not only this, Christ redeemed me from the curse that was upon me because of my disobedience. Instead, He became the curse for me in order that the blessings of Abraham might come upon me (Gal. 3:13, 14).

 
4.    Justified:

 
(a) Because I believed in Christ Jesus as the One whose sacrifice made me clean, that one act of faith made me righteous and put me in right standing before God (Rom. 4:5). When I was a sinner, I was cut off from this holy and righteous God. Now through Jesus, by faith, I have been clothed with the righteousness of Jesus (Isa. 61:10) and can come boldly in the Name of Jesus before God, confident that God will not cast me away from His presence. Because of Jesus, God now sees and accepts me as righteous.

(b) I also find that though I am a new creation in Christ Jesus; and though with my mind I love God with all my heart and eagerly desire to please Him (Rom. 7:22), yet there is another power at work within me; a power that is at war with my mind. It makes me a prisoner to the law of sin which is in my members (Rom. 7:23). I find that on one hand, with my conscious being – my mind, I am serving the law of God, yet on the other hand, with my flesh, I have the law of sin (Rom. 7:25). But thanks be to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord, though I have this law of sin within my members (what we sometimes call ‘unconscious sin’), I do not have to feel condemned (Rom. 8:1). For the law of the Spirit of life in Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and of death (Rom. 8:2). In Jesus, I am righteous before God, if I walk in the ways of the Holy Spirit and not in the ways of my flesh (Rom. 8:4).

5.    Born Again as a New Creation:

 
As a child of Adam, I was born with sin (Rom. 5:12). But when Christ Jesus forgave me of my sin, I was born again as a new creation, not from earthly parentage, but by the Spirit of God (Jn. 3:5, 6). Hence as a new creation, I am born again; not in sin but righteous.

When the Lord Jesus was born on earth, He was born of a virgin by the Holy Spirit (Mt. 1:20). Hence He was sinless from birth. Now, as a new creation in Christ Jesus, I too am born again by the Holy Spirit; made blameless and righteous (2Cor.: 5:21, 17); so that the life I now live, I live no longer for myself, but for Him who died and rose again on my behalf (2Cor. 5:15).

For this reason since Christ Jesus, who sanctifies us and we who are sanctified are all from one Father, He is not ashamed to call us brethren (Heb.2:11). Romans 8:29 calls Him the first-born among many brethren.

6.    Made a Child of God:

 
We have so far seen how great the calling of God has been for us through Jesus Christ. But as we proceed, we discover much more. Through Jesus, we are made children of God (1Jn. 3:1; Jn. 1:12).

Now, I have heard this truth from my childhood and so it is very easy for me to take this blessing for granted. In some ways there is a danger of this great privilege losing its importance. The truth is that this blessing is one of the most glorious privileges of the gospel.

We saw in the introduction how full of glory our God is. He who is the Creator of all things; He who is the Most High, who rules in majesty and power forever; Who has authority over everything, on this earth, over the earth and under the earth; before Whom every knee will bow – such a powerful, awesome Person has considered me His child and through Jesus, this God has become my Father (Jn. 20:17). What an overwhelming privilege!

7.    A Temple of God:

 
Another remarkable privilege that we enjoy in Jesus is the fact that God, the Holy Spirit, the third Person in the Holy Trinity has made me His dwelling place (Jn. 14:16). The Lord God has been so wonderfully gracious, He said, “I will not leave you as orphans. I will come to you.” (Jn. 14:18) As a new creation, I am now the temple of the Holy Spirit (1Cor. 6:19). God Almighty lives in me. God is with me.

(a) It is the Holy Spirit who gives my spirit new life (Jn. 6:63; 2Cor. 3:6).

(b) It is the Holy Spirit who has become my Councilor, my Teacher and my Guide. It is He who gives me insight into the Word of God and gives me understanding and revelation (Jn. 14:26; 16:13).

(c) It is He who trains me in righteousness and equips me for every good work (2Tim. 3:16, 17).

(d) It is He who is my seal of redemption (Eph. 1:13, 14).

(e) It is the Holy Spirit who shows me the glory of Christ (Jn. 16:14).

8.    Filled with the Holy Spirit:

 
If that were not enough, God the Father, has promised (Acts 1:4) that through Jesus, He will fill me, and immerse me with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5). When the Holy Spirit comes upon me, I am clothed with power from heaven (Acts 1:8). I am given enabling to do things I could never do as a mortal being (Jn. 14:12). He gives me gifts or supernatural abilities to use in building the church (1Cor. 14:12) or to confirm what He is saying (Heb. 2:3, 4).

It pleases the Father to give us this promise when in Jesus we simply ask Him (Lk. 11:13). The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a gift (Acts. 2:38) from God the Father through Jesus Christ (Jn.14:16). There are times when God has given this promise instantly when people asked Him (Acts 19:6), sometimes before even people have asked (Acts 10:44) and sometimes after a long period of persistent asking (Lk. 11:8 in context vs. 13).

God, who is the same, unchanging Father from generation to generation (Heb. 13:8) and who is Faithful and True (Rev. 19:11) – for He can never lie nor does He change His mind (1Sam. 15:29) – is pleased and happy to fill us with the promised Holy Spirit (Lk. 11:13). So even if one has not received this baptism, ask and it will be given (Lk. 11:9). It is a blessing of the gospel that we simply cannot let pass. We must have it. We must ask and keep on asking until we are certain that we are filled. Stephen, the first Christian martyr was filled with the Holy Spirit. He was a man full of faith, full of grace, full of wisdom and full of power (Acts 6:5, 8, 10). What a blessed gift we have in the gospel.

9.    Constantly Saved (Jesus, our Saviour):

 
(a) Jesus saved me from eternal death and punishment in hell fire when I came to Him in repentance.

(b) He delivers me from evil (Mt. 5:13). Every time I am tempted to do or say or think something that will not please God, I can cry out to Him who saves (Ps. 145:19). He strengthens me by giving me His power and delivers me from wickedness.

(c) He saves me from those who plot against me (Ps. 106:10)

(d) and from deadly plagues and diseases (Ps. 91:3).

(e) He saves me and rescues me from mistakes and blunders (Job 36:10).

The Lord Jesus is constantly saving me. The Bible tells us that He saves forever those who draw near to God, through Him (Heb. 7:25).

10.    Constantly Defended (Jesus, our Advocate):

 
The Lord Jesus forgives and cleanses me from all unrighteousness (1Jn.1:9). He has made me a new creation so that I no longer give my members – my thoughts, my eyes, my tongue, and my actions – as instruments of unrighteousness but as slaves to righteousness.

The Apostle John says, “I am writing to you that you may not sin. Yet, if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” (1Jn. 2:1) He defends me. He pleads for me. Jesus Christ battles for me (2Chr. 20:15, 17).

11.    Constantly Supported (Jesus, our High Priest):
 

The Lord Jesus constantly intercedes and prays on my behalf (Rom. 8:34). He stands before the Father making intercession for me (Heb. 7:25; 9:24). The Bible tells me, the Holy Spirit is also interceding for me (Rom. 8:27). The Good News is that God is on my side. He is for me. (Rom. 8:31; Ps. 118:6).

Jesus is my merciful High Priest. He understands all my difficulties and sympathises with me when I am tempted (Heb.4:15). He is my Helper who has promised to never leave me nor forsake me (Heb. 13:5). He never gives up on me. He is constantly there to pick me up, to cleanse me, to encourage me and strengthen me. He is the God of all comfort (2Cor. 1:3). A battered reed He will not break off and a smoldering wick He does not put out (Mt. 12:20). How wonderful is my Lord God!

12.    Constantly Protected:
 

In the Gospel, through Jesus Christ, I can feel safe and secure in the arms of my Father because the Bible tells me that I am protected by God (1Pet. 1:5). No one can snatch me out of His hand (Jn. 10:28, 29). There is no one who can bring a charge against me nor condemn me. There is nothing that can separate me from Him (Rom. 8:33-35). He is my hiding place, my fortress and my deliverer (Ps. 32:7; Ps. 18:2). Blessed be His Name!

13.    Constantly Strengthened:

In the Gospel that God has granted to me through Jesus Christ, I am not left to struggle on my own nor do I have to be afraid as I face daily the numerous conflicts and temptations within me and outside me; for God is my strength and my salvation (Ex. 15:2). He gives strength to the weary and to him who lacks might, He increases power. The strong and capable people may tire and fall but when I wait on God I have enabling and ability to conquer and live victoriously such that I can soar victoriously like an eagle. By the power of God, I can run and will not be weary, walk and not faint (Isa. 40:29-31).

Through the gospel, my victorious Lord Jesus, leads me into victory. (Rom. 8:37; 1Cor. 15:57) The same power of God that raised Jesus from the dead is at work within me and gives life to my mortal being through the Holy Spirit who lives in me (Rom. 8:11; Eph. 1:19, 20). 

14.    Constantly Blessed:

In Christ Jesus, I am blessed by God. While I live here on the earth, I enjoy the blessings that God desires to shower upon me through Christ Jesus. Consider some of these blessings:

(a) Every good and perfect gift is directed toward me (Jas. 1:17).

(b) Every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places has been kept for me (Eph. 1:3).

(c) Through Jesus Christ, my Lord I am favoured; I am made glad and happy; I am contented and full of joy.

(d) I dwell under the shadow of the Almighty (Ps. 91:1).

(e) The Lord’s face shines upon me. He is gracious and kind to me (Num. 6:24-26).

(f) All that I do, He prospers (Ps. 1:3).

I must state here that the blessings of God are linked to our faithfulness in the covenant that we have with God, through Jesus (Deut. 28: 1-15). The Word of God has made it amply clear that when we are obedient (Jn. 13:17; Mt. 5:19); when we love God (Jn. 14:14, 15); when we make Him, not the resources of the world, our shelter (Isa. 31:1); when we put our trust in Him and not in the strength and power of influential and rich men (Ps. 147:10, 11) then we will be blessed.

15.    Constantly Guided:
 

Another blessed truth in the Gospel is that in Jesus I have the all-wise and all-knowing God to guide me (Ps. 23:3); to give me understanding and revelation (Col. 1:9); to direct my steps (2Thes. 3:5) and to guard my way (Prov. 2:8). He does so with utmost patience. While dealing with me, He is full of mercy and compassion. My God never gives up on me. How great and wonderful is He!

16.    Given the Privilege to Fellowship with God:
 

Here is another one of the great privileges given to reconciled man, through Jesus Christ in the gospel. As a redeemed child of God I have opportunity to enjoy a daily companionship and friendship with the Lord, God Almighty. My relationship with Him is not just one way, where it is only me talking to Him in prayer but the bond I share with Him through Jesus is a true connection. God talks to me too.
 

I can testify that in the recent past, as I consistently lived each day with the single-minded focus that God be glorified and honoured in me and as I clung to each word in His Word – in faith and obedience – making it the sole basis on which I make all my life’s decisions, God has been gracious and kind to speak to me regularly. I still stumble and fall and I still do things that grieve Him, but because He is the merciful, compassionate God that we read of earlier, He picks me up and leads me on into a closer and enriching relationship with Him.
 

Herein lies the big difference that make a Christian realize that his walk with Jesus Christ is not a religion, it is a relationship. No amount of knowledge, degrees, training or anything that is deemed by the world as ‘spiritual’ – such as spending time in church, reading the Bible, preaching, etc. despite the great value it has – can bring about this relationship. The only thing that makes the connection real is a fellowship or companionship that one can enjoy with the Holy Spirit. Frequently, He speaks to my heart, reminding me of His Word – to encourage me, forewarn me; correct me and build me. In the gospel, God has purposed that I not only have the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God, but also the fellowship of the Holy Spirit (2Cor. 13:14).  
 

17.    Given the Privilege to Know God:
 

Each blessing we have seen above is so beautiful and all this is because of Jesus, our Saviour. The magnificent thing is that these blessings continue. The opportunity to know God while we are here on earth is another amazing and exceedingly great privilege given to us in Christ Jesus in the Gospel. Though we are as earthen vessels we have this surpassingly great blessing to know Him and with our inner eyes, see Him.
 

The Holy Spirit uses the Word of God to enlighten me. He reveals things about God I never had seen before; He gives me understanding into His ways that had escaped my attention in the past. Though I am like a small cup in a vast and deep ocean the simple insights I receive of God thrills my heart to no end. The Holy Spirit shows me the different attributes of God revealing them to me much like shining a torch on a beautiful object in a dark room. The attributes were always there; I read of and heard of these being spoken of by others before. Now suddenly I see it with my own eyes. The Holy Spirit unveils our eyes and we see as one beholding in a mirror the glory of the Lord, dim though it may be, nevertheless real (2Cor. 3:18).
 

For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ (2Cor. 4:6).
 

This knowledge not only increases my faith in God but also spurs me to love Him more.
 

Another thing that the Holy Spirit does while revealing to me the glory of God is showing me the glory of Christ. “He shall glorify Me,” said our precious Master while describing the work of the Holy Spirit. “For He shall take of Mine and shall disclose them to you.” (Jn. 16:14) By opening our eyes to the glory of Jesus we suddenly understand that none of the things we are enjoying and none of the blessings we are sharing in would have been possible if it were not for Jesus Christ. In all things the Spirit reminds me, “through Jesus”, “in Jesus” and “because of Jesus” I am blessed. This understanding makes me just want to fall to the ground, face down and worship Him.    
 

18.    Hopeful that I will be Resurrected/Raptured:
 

Because of all this, I cannot but eagerly wait for the Lord to come and take me to be with Him forever. My heart in eager anticipation constantly looks to the Lord crying, “Come, Lord Jesus!” In the gospel, Jesus has promised that He Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall be with the Lord (1Thes. 4:16, 17).
 

The Bible also tells me that when this happens, we shall be changed. Our mortal, perishable bodies will put on the imperishable (1Cor. 15:52, 53). There are days (I have noticed this increasingly frequent in the recent weeks or months) when I groan, not because I am tired and frustrated of this life, but I groan with a longing that I be clothed with the dwelling (or body) from heaven (2 Cor. 5:2). I wait eagerly for the Lord Jesus to take me home to Himself.
 

I begin to understand what Paul meant when he said, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain… to live on in the flesh is fruitful labour… but I have this desire to depart and be with Christ for that is very much better.” (Phil. 1:21-23) My hope, that this will surely take place, is real. It is a certainty through Jesus Christ in the gospel and sits on my head like a helmet (Eph. 6:17).
 

19.    Promised Eternal Life:
 

And when I am home in heaven with the Lord, I will be in that place of beauty and perfection and glory; the place God had always wanted us to be even when He placed Adam and Eve on earth – a place free from sin, suffering, hunger, tears and pain (Rev. 7:16, 17); a place where righteousness and worship abounds (Rev. 22:5; 7:15).

There will I see the glory of my God (1Jn. 3:2). There will I behold Him (Rev. 22:4); and worship Him (Rev. 15:4); and know Him more (1Cor. 13:12). In that place He will crown me with the crown of righteousness (2Tim. 4:8) and will cause me to sit with Him on His throne (Rev. 3:21). He will give me a new name (Rev. 2:17) that could define what I am to do. (Names given by God often describe the task of the person. For example, Jesus means, He saves.) There, I will reign forever and ever (Rev. 22:5; 5:10). Through Jesus Christ, I have been given the promise that I will not perish but have eternal life (Jn. 3:16). How excellent is this Good News from God. It is so good, it cannot get any better.

Means to Help us in our Walk with God

In addition to all the blessings that we have through Jesus Christ’s work on the cross, as we have seen above, God has blessed us with a few more things – the Bible calls some of these weapons – that will help us in our walk as a new creation on this earth. These are:

1. His Word: All 66 book in the Holy Bible is the true, faithful and absolutely reliable word that God Himself has given to us so that we could use it as a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. The Bible is not just a compilation of books written centuries ago in an era of slaves and kingdoms, but is living and relevant for our modern, technologically advanced generation of today and will continue to be for all ages. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever (Isa. 40:8).
 

2. Prayer: The second great weapon that God has given us is the power of prayer. Almost all of us may confess that we have grossly underestimated the power there is when a person comes to God, in simple child-like faith and asks Him in the name of Jesus for anything.
Prayer can move mountains. Prayer can stop armies. Prayer can do what no one else can do. It does the impossible. Prayer can do all this not because the power of prayer is in the one who prays, but in the One who answers. God is the One who hears prayer and He answers it. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, we have bold access to the Almighty God our Father and can come to Him any time; every time and He will never cast us away (Jn. 6:37). He is a prayer answering God and never fails those who put their trust in Him (Rom. 10:11).
 

3. Church: Another very precious means of building ourselves into a close walk with God is the church. The body of Christ, comprising of redeemed, sanctified souls is another place where God meets with His children and speaks to them. He tells us that He is there when two or three gather in His Name. Through the enabling and anointing He gives to different members in the church, He builds, edifies and encourages our hearts; tearing down what He needs to tear down and strengthening what He needs to strengthen – for He knows the hearts of all men, even the deepest of their thoughts – and helps those who draw near to Him.
 

4. His working: Daily, the Lord God who neither slumbers, nor sleeps is working in our lives. He causes all things to work for the good of those who love Him (Rom. 8:28). So even when, to our human intellect and understanding, everything seems to be going out of control and though it may seem that we are losing everything, remember our God who sits upon the throne and who reigns forever and ever, has got everything in control.
 

Not only that, the Bible assures our hearts that God’s thoughts towards us are always for our welfare (Jer. 29:11). We may never understand why God does things the way He does them, but we can rest in the knowledge that His ways are higher than our ways (Isa. 55:9) and He never fails.  He says, “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psa. 46:10) As a good Shepherd, He guides us each day, through different events and circumstances. He builds us, to make us better, stronger more beautiful and priceless children of His. He wants us to trust Him and not lean on our understanding (Pro. 3:5) so that as a master Potter He can fashion us for His glory (Jer. 18:6; 2Tim. 2:20, 21).
 

The Bible also tells us that God works in us to “will” and “to do” all things that please Him (Php. 2:13). If there is any good thing that we do; anything noble; anything of good repute; this is not from ourselves but from God for only God is good (Lk. 18:19; Rom. 7:18). It is God who puts the willingness in our hearts and it is God who gives the ability and grace to carry it out so that in all things, from first to last, God alone would be honoured and receive all glory (1Pet. 4:11).
       
 

What sort of people should we be?

Having now seen what a glorious gospel we have been called to; having now comprehended that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness (2Pet. 1:3); having now understood that He has granted to us precious and magnificent promises (2Pet, 1:4); having now the understanding that since God did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for our sakes will much more now also freely give us all things (Rom. 8:32) – what sort of people ought we to be?

The Word of God tells us that we should live our life worthy of the calling we have received (Eph. 4:1). How shall we do that?

1. Please God: The Bible tells us that we should make it our ambition to please God (2Cor. 5:9). There are two ways we can please God – (a) live in absolute faith, trust and dependence on Him (Heb. 11:6) and (b) live in obedience (1Sam. 15:22).

2. Undistracted Devotion: The Lord desires that our love for Him be complete and undistracted (1Cor. 7:35). If we say we love Him and also love other things or people the Bible calls us adulteresses (Jas. 4:4) and a liar (1Jn. 2:3, 4, 15).

3. Honour God: God is honoured when (a) we make every single word in the Bible our guide for all decisions we make; put our complete trust in it, no matter what, even if the whole world considers us a fool; and (b) when we show our trust in Him and His word by being obedient to it. Complete obedience, even when we cannot understand or do not have answers to anything honours God. God is honoured because though we do not see Him, we have believed in Him. He is honoured because though He is unseen yet we obey Him and do everything to please Him.

Look closely at the above three points and you will notice two key words written in different ways – Trust and Obey. The gospel is not complicated. The New Covenant that Jesus Christ has instituted through His blood between us and God, the Father is very simple. All God desires from us in this covenant is to: (a) believe in Him and the saving, redeeming work of Jesus Christ recognizing that it is Christ’s work and His work alone that makes us righteous and (b) live righteous, holy, sanctified lives with the members of our body.

Now to Him who is able to keep us from stumbling, and to make us stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy; to the only God our Saviour, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen (Jude 24, 25).

God's Purpose for our Lives - A lesson from the tabernacle of Moses

The Good News from God is remarkably wonderful, so wonderful indeed that the evil one will do all he can to keep us from believing in it. The Word of God tells us that the wisdom of God has purposed things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard and which has not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him (1Cor. 2:9); things so glorious that angels long to look (1Pet. 1:12).

I believe that the purpose of God, which He planned for us when He chose us in Christ Jesus, even before the foundation of the world, is a purpose so wonderful, that when understood, will put a true reason for our existence here on earth. It will help us understand the oft-asked question(s), “Why am I here on earth?”; “What is my real purpose in life?”; “What is the reason for my existence?”

While there was a time when we were lost, having no hope and without God in this world (Eph. 2:12), God showed us mercy and brought us near to Him by the blood of Christ that we too may share in the covenant of promise, a covenant in which, through our Lord Jesus Christ, we can come into that place beyond the veil and constantly remain in the Presence of God and know the Lord. For in the new covenant God says, “And they shall not teach every one his fellow-citizen, and every one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for all shall know Me, from the least to the greatest of them.” (Heb. 8:11) 

2Corinthians 4:6 tells us – For God, who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God [as it is manifest in the Person and is revealed] in the face of Christ.

God desires to shine that Light in our hearts so that increasingly with unveiled face we can behold the glory of the Lord (2Cor. 3:18). Increasingly the Spirit can reveal to us the Person of Jesus. Increasingly we could grow in the knowledge of Christ, not just in His work but in Him as a Person. "That I might know Him," was Paul's earnest longing. His heart was illumined bright enough for him to say – I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord (Php. 3:8).

Realizing then that since God desires in our lifetime – in whatever small way our finite minds can comprehend his infinite glory – to disclose Himself to us that we may grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (2Pet. 3:18), and since we have bold access, through our Lord Jesus, into the presence of God, let us use the tabernacle of Moses as a model to see the purpose of God for us from salvation (the gate to the outer court) to the presence of God (the Holy of Holies).

The main reason for this article is not to understand the tabernacle but to comprehend God’s purpose for our lives. The tabernacle is used in this article only as illustration so as to facilitate understanding into that purpose.  

We know from scripture that there was just one gate that led to the court of the tabernacle. There was no other way into it. In the New Covenant, Jesus clearly states that He is that door and that if anyone enters through Him, he shall be saved (Jn. 10:9). “No one comes to the Father, but through Me.” (Jn. 14:6) So the first simple yet most important truth we learn is – Jesus is the only way.

The bronze altar that stood in the court immediately in front of the gate was the altar of sacrifice. Christ Jesus, our High Priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens became our sacrifice once for all when He offered up Himself (Heb. 7:27). Through His own blood, He entered the most holy place once for all, in the greater and more perfect tabernacle, having obtained eternal redemption (Heb. 9:11,12). Through His blood we have obtained forgiveness with the promise – “I will remember your sins no more.” In Him we have been redeemed from the bondage of sin; set free to be willing bondservants of God. Through Him we have been made righteous by faith and now being justified, we come before a holy God with confidence making bold petition and prayers. By Him, we are made children of God and can address the Most High as “Father”. It is through Him that we receive the Holy Spirit as a seal of our redemption and the promise of eternal life.

Just before the entrance to the tabernacle stood a bronze laver where the priests would wash their hands and feet before entering (Ex. 30:18,19). We know from Ephesians 5: 26 that Christ sanctifies the Church, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word. Hebrews 10:22 while illustrating the cleansing at the bronze altar and the washing at the laver speaks thus – “…having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”

Now while there still remains that we enter the holy place with confidence, by the blood of Jesus (Heb. 10:19), it is unfortunate that most Christians stop outside the tabernacle and worship the Lord. They rejoice with having their hearts sprinkled clean by the blood of Jesus and are happy, like newborn babes, with the pure milk of the word. Yet the Bible exhorts us strongly saying – since therefore, brethren, we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great Priest over the house of God [a High Priest who sympathizes with our weakness and shows us mercy and gives help in time of need (Heb. 4:15,16)], let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith (Heb. 10:19-22).

On entering the holy place we find the menorah or the golden lampstand and the table of showbread. The lampstand is the only source of light in the holy place. The lampstand represents the Lord Jesus. His life is the light of men, the true light which coming into the world, enlightens every man (Jn. 1:4,9). His immeasurable love, His compassion, His tenderness, His mercy, His patience, His righteousness, His unspeakable holiness – all these and more shine as the light of the world. As His redeemed ones who follow Him in His footsteps (1Jn. 2:6), we walk in the light. Complete obedience to His word helps us live in this light (Jn. 8:12). Our lives – that now hungers and thirsts after righteousness and seeks His grace that we may be pure in heart (Mt. 5:6,8); and that cries out to Him to help us love one another just as He loves us – then begins to shine as a light. Love, patience, kindness, tenderness, righteousness and truth shines forth from us (Eph. 5:9) wherever we are – at home, at work – all the time. As Christ’s ambassadors we find ourselves like the salt of the earth; a city on a hill that cannot be hidden (Mt. 5:13-16).

The table of showbread that contained twelve loaves of bread remained before the Lord for a week before it was eaten by the priests and then replaced with a fresh batch. “I am the living bread of life that came down out of heaven,” Jesus declared, “If any one eats of this bread, he shall live forever.” (Jn. 6:51) It is my understanding that as we submit under the mighty hand of God in obedience to the Word of God (the Word is Jesus); clinging on to each word and sentence like one would precious treasure; we are in effect eating of this bread. Could the much misunderstood phrase of Jesus in John 6:53 actually mean this? I do not know. But what I have experienced is that as I humbly obey the word of God with a simple, undistracted devotion to the Lord (1Cor. 7:35); making it my ambition to please Him and glorify Him in everything I do (2Cor. 5:9; 1Cor. 10:31); God in His graciousness and loving kindness feeds me with a fresh understanding of His truths. As we read His word, He reveals His ways and shows more of Himself in a manner that makes our hearts feel like the pen of a ready writer – full of excitement, rejoicing in the goodness of the Lord. The frequency at which we receive a fresh revelation from God is almost like the fresh batch of bread placed on the table of showbread.

There is a common thread that runs through in the lessons from the golden lampstand and the table of showbread. Absolute obedience! In the holy place our mind is constantly thinking of the Lord. As ransomed children, whose home is above, we meditate on His word (Ps. 1:2) and constantly reflect on Him as to what pleases Him. Willingly we submit to the Lordship of Jesus crying, “Lord, Thy will be done. Glorify Thy Name.”

Moving on from the holy place and since now we have confidence to enter the most holy place by the blood of Jesus by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great High Priest over the house of God, we, can now draw near into the place where God can reveal Himself (Heb. 10:19-22). The Lord’s promise in John 14:21 gradually, yet in ever increasing splendor, is made manifest in us.

The Altar of Incense that was placed in front of the veil, near the ark of the testimony was perpetually burning with incense before the Lord (Ex. 30:6,8). Having now come into the glorious Presence of God; the praise and worship from our mouth and heart rises to Him in all truth. It is not lip-service. It comes from deep within, overflowing with gratitude, in spirit and in truth (Jn. 4:24). Every part of our being – our thoughts, made pure by His grace; the words from our mouth, the way we employ or use the members of our body – through the power of God, is brought in subjection to His Lordship and becomes our willing service and spiritual worship (Rom.12:1). Obedience to the new commandment of Jesus (Jn. 13:34) makes us a fragrant aroma before the Lord (Eph. 4:29-5:2). 

At the Ark of the Covenant we behold the faithfulness of God, as represented in the jar of manna; and the sovereignty of God, as represented by Aaron’s rod that budded; and the holiness of God, as represented in the tablets containing the commandments. The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in loving kindness and truth (Ex. 34:6) makes known the riches of His grace which He has lavished upon us (Eph. 1:7,8) from the Mercy Seat.  The sanctified soul (Heb. 12:14), which by the enabling of God, is made holy (1Pet. 1:15) and pure in heart (Mt. 5:8), can now see God. The Lord in His faithfulness, discloses Himself (Jn. 14:21) giving us understanding and revelation of Him that we may have never ever known before. This insight is like vision given to the blind. “I was blind, but now I see,” we cry with pure ecstasy. Also, there is a sweet fellowship with the Holy Spirit (2Cor. 13:14) and a revelation of the glory of God (2Cor. 4:6) that makes us feel like earthen vessels, carrying within us a treasure that is of surpassing greatness (2Cor. 4: 7). Worship floods our heart and mind and mouth as we behold the beauty of God.

Now, while each of us may be busy with different occupations and we all are doing various things according to the will of God; the purpose of God remains the same for every one of us. We must ensure that no matter what we are occupied with, we should have our focus clear at all times. As disciplined soldiers whose sole desire it is to please the one who enlisted us (2Tim. 2:4), we must set our mind on the glorious and heavenly privilege we have in the gospel. The things of this earth will constantly assail our senses but the word exhorts us to set our minds on the things above; and on Him who is unseen (Heb. 11:27) and not on the things of this earth (Col. 3:2). 

Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but I strongly believe that it is God’s desire for each and every single child of His to experience daily the joy of His Presence and have our hearts illumined by the Holy Spirit to the glory of God as He shows us the truth in His word. He sent His only begotten Son to be our sacrifice that we may have eternal life (Jn. 3:16) and this is eternal life, that we may know Him, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent (Jn. 17:3).

And what is more, as a holy priesthood (1Pet. 2:9), we get to enjoy this priestly privilege even after our time on earth is over (Rev. 20:6).

The Lord Jesus asked us to pray that God’s kingdom would come and His will be done here on earth. My constant prayer before God is, “Lord, let Thy Church manifest Thy glory and shine forth in this dark world in righteous truth (Mt. 5:16) and Christ-like love (Jn. 13:34,35) so that the knowledge of the glory of God would fill the earth as the waters cover the sea (Hab. 2:14). Then all men shall know that Thou art true and they will believe in and cling to and put their trust in and depend upon Thy Name, Thy magnificent Name which is over every other name.”

I believe God is working in this direction and no matter how evil this present world is, God will accomplish His grand purpose; for He who is in us is greater, far greater, than he who is in the world.

So brethren, loved and precious before the Lord, let us be faithful to our heavenly calling. God is faithful. If He did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, surely He will now freely give us all things in Christ Jesus. He will keep our feet from stumbling and will give us the resurrection power (Rom. 8:11) to accomplish what He has purposed.

One Thing

The Bible uses the phrase, ‘One Thing’, four times. What is interesting is that this was mentioned by three persons at three different times, one of them separated by hundreds of years. God who is the beginning and the end is always consistent. As the author of the Bible, surely He could not mean four different one things? If God says, “one thing”, then there must be just one thing. What is it then? 

David first writes, “One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple.” (Psa. 27:4). 

The Lord Jesus in one of his visits to Bethany says to Lazarus’ sister, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only a few things are necessary, really only one, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41,42) 

At another time the Lord squarely addresses a rich ruler who asked how he could obtain eternal life. Though this man had kept the commandments of God from his youth, the Lord says to him, “One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess, and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” (Luke 18:22) 

A few decades later when the Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians he spoke of the “one thing” he did. He had just finished telling the Church of how he counted the privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as one of surpassing value and how he considered everything else he had attained as rubbish. He wrote, “Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Php. 3:13,14) 

What is common in the one thing that we’ve read in the four different passages above? The ‘one thing’ that God’s Word is asking us to have is—a single-minded, undistracted devotion to God (1Cor. 7:35). This one thing revolves around the first and foremost commandment, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” (Mt. 22:37) 

How do we arrive at this conclusion?—you may well ask. David and Mary, both desired the presence of God—to listen to Him, fellowship with Him and enjoy being with Him. Such a desire can stem only from a deep love for God. A love that says, "You are the one and only thing I need." 

The Apostle Paul desired to know Him—to have a greater revelation and insight of the unfathomable God he worshiped. It is important at this point to note how Jesus links ‘knowing Him’ to ‘loving Him’. The Lord Jesus promises that He will disclose Himself to us when we love Him and keep His commandments (Jn. 14:21). The principle is simple: to know God, we must love and obey Him. 

The one thing that the Lord asked the rich, young ruler to do was possible only if one loved the one Master, the Lord Jesus Himself, and clung to Him while despising the other master, mammon (Mt. 6:24). 

So we see that in all the above instances, "a single-minded, whole-hearted, sincere devotion to God" is the key, operative factor that the Bible speaks of as the ‘one thing’ that we must seek after. 

In the world we have many distractions, many of them very legitimate—our careers, our aspirations, our wish-list. Most of our energy, our time and often a lot of our life is consumed with chasing after these things. Like Martha we are too busy hurrying here and there, doing this and that. We love God—we pray, read the Bible and go to church—but our relationship with the Master is often devoid of that “first-love” (Rev. 2:4). Oh that we can get to that first-love that Christ spoke of; and yearn for Him, earnestly desire Him—not just His hand but more so His face.

As Christ’s redeemed ones, we have need of only ‘one thing’. We need to place God on the decision-making seat of our life; we need to cling to Him, depend on Him and say, “No matter what Lord, I want to submit to and walk in Thy perfect will. If in Thy faultless wisdom Thou dost lead me to let go of all that I cherish and possess, I want to honour Thee with obedience of faith that exhibits to the great cloud of witnesses that Christ is enough for me. Like David and Mary I want to constantly enjoy and grow in that close fellowship with the Holy Spirit (2Cor. 13:14). Like Paul, I ask that I may increasingly gain insight and understanding of Thy fathomless being. Disclose Thy beautiful Self to me, O Lord (Jn. 14:21). Increasingly, let me behold Thy beauty (2Cor. 3:18; 4:6).” 

More than anything else today, the Church needs to arise and lay hold of that for which Christ has laid hold of us. We need to with sincerity of devotion live each moment of each day with the single-minded ambition to please the Lord (2Cor. 5:9). We need to resolutely decide before God that whatever we do, even in mundane things like eating and drinking, we will glorify Him (1Cor. 10:31). The early Church had such devotion. Not only did no one claim that anything that belonged to him was his own (Acts 4:32), but they first gave themselves to love the Lord in completely surrender (2Cor. 8:5). 

One thing is needed Church, just one thing. I believe God will not only satisfy such longing hearts that pursue this, but will glorify His name in them.

The Kingdom of Heaven is not a Democracy

The kingdom of God is not a democracy. It does not work on the principle of majority or consensus. These are ideas of the world. 

God is alone the all wise, perfect and sovereign King. In His kingdom there is submission. He has instituted the principle of submission not because He wants to lord over us or be a dictator. Rather, because of His loving kindness toward us, He eagerly desires to guide the humble and submissive ones to His perfect and good plans. For did not God Himself say, "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts?" (Isa. 55:9)

To the authority which God in His sovereignty institutes whether to parents, the pastor, our boss or our leaders in government, it is His desire that we submit and honor them. (1Pet. 2:13-15) We must never speak ill of them, even if they are doing evil. Instead with reverence we must lift them before God for His working. This is the principle of God's word and obedience to it pleases God. Be assured, it will go well with you.  (Eph. 6:3)

In a world where we are so used to having our vote, expressing our opinions, fighting for our rights, etc. we use the ways of the world to deal with issues. Oh that as redeemed ones of the Lord, we would increasingly submit and depend on God who rules with all power and authority. Oh if we were to only adopt His ways and not the ways of the world. The Bible promises us that because we put our trust in Him, we will not be put to shame.  (Rom. 10:11)

Humble or submit yourself under the mighty hand of God therefore and He will lift you up at the proper time. (1Pet. 5:6)

The Poor in Spirit

The Lord Jesus began His Sermon on the Mount by saying, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

What is it to be poor in spirit? The opposite of poor is rich. Sinful man has this inherent nature to think of himself as rich. He considers himself as wise and important in his own surroundings and even if he is not, he gives the impression that he is. He is offended when he is slighted and protects fiercely his image and reputation when he is confronted or threatened.

"You say, 'I am rich and have become wealthy and have need of nothing,' " the risen Christ said in Revelation 3:17. We make it our life's ambition to amass all that is impressionable in the world. When we have done so, we deem ourselves successful. When we fail we are discouraged and are seen as a failure.

But the Lord Jesus continues, "You do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked." Strong words to believers, mind you, not unbelievers. We need to allow God to constantly renew our mind and show us our real selves that we may come to Him in poverty and be filled with what He fills us with in His mercy. This, so that our "riches" do not come from ourselves but from what He fills us with. (Rev. 3:18) It is then that we increasingly have less and less expectations from others and are not offended if we 'feel' insulted or think that we are taken for granted. "He must increase, but I must decrease," our hearts would then echo the testimony of John the Baptist. (Jn. 3:30)

To be sure, as A.W. Tozer wrote in his book, The Pursuit of God, "the meek man is not a human mouse afflicted with a sense of his own inferiority. Rather he may be in his moral life as bold as a lion and as strong as Samson; but he has stopped being fooled about himself. He has accepted God's estimate of his own life. He knows he is weak and helpless as God has declared him to be, but paradoxically, he knows at the same time that he is in the sight of God of more importance than angels. In himself, nothing; in God, everything."

Blessed is such a man. The Bible calls him poor in spirit. To such a one belongs the kingdom of heaven.