Goodness and Severity

 

Goodness and Severity

 

Romans 11:22

 

Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them that fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

 

“ And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.” (Matthew 13:10-17).

 

Many, indeed, are the gifts of God, countless, and unspeakable, are they. “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” (II Corinthians 9:15). “ Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.” (Psalm 40:5). God’s “works of old”, (Proverbs 8:22), those before the work of creation, were established in the “counsel of peace” (Zechariah 13:6; Jeremiah 29:11) between the three persons of Jehovah (Titus 1:2) and set forth in the everlasting covenant of grace; according to the “good pleasure of His goodness” ( II Thessalonians 1:11; Genesis 17:7; II Samuel 23:5; Pslam 89:1-37; Hebrews 13:20; Acts 3:25, 13:48). For by that covenant is “known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.” (Acts 15:18).

 

In the covenant all things were determined, that come to pass in time, all things that seem bad to the creatures of God, and all things that seem good to them. Consider the following: “Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it? (Amos 3:6) “The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. (Proverbs 16:4). “Jesus answered them, have I not chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?” (John 6:70). “Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:” (Acts 2: 22-23). “Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.” (Acts 4: 25-28). In themselves these things seem bad to the children of men, although these things were ordained for the glory of God, and the good of the children of the covenant.

 

Concerning the good things of the covenant, consider the following verses: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” (Isaiah 9:6-7). “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.” (Luke 2: 8-21).

 

The blessings of God are from the Three Persons of the Godhead: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.” (Ephesians 1:3-6).

 

 

 

God “hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,” (II Timothy 1:9)  The children of God have pardon through the blood of Christ, Justification by His righteousness, which is the righteousness of God. The people of God are holy in the holiness of Jesus Christ, for they are one with Him. His people are beloved of God, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, and accepted in the beloved (Ephesians 1:6). The salvation of God is Jesus Christ, every gift of God for His people is in Christ with whom they are one in the bond of the covenant. As it is written; “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: that according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” (I Corinthians 1:30-31). And not only is God the Son ours in Christ Jesus, but God the Holy Ghost is given us as a free covenant gift of God. It is His office in the covenant, to apply the gifts of the covenant which were purchased by the blood of Christ, to the children of God, it is He who gives a new heart, and a new spirit, and a new bent to that which is contrary to the flesh. All the work of the Spirit of God in us, is because of the work of Christ for us, for, we are not justified because we believe, but we believe because we are justified by the blood of Jesus Christ, “the blood of the everlasting covenant” (Hebrews 13:20), and the “blood of the new testament” (Matthew 26:28). The children of the covenant repent of former natural religion, that is, free-will-works religion when the Sun of Righteousness arises on them with “healing in his wings” (Malachi 4:2), and shines in their “hearts to give the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (II Corinthians 4:6): For in knowing Jesus Christ, God the Father is known (John 14:9): whom to know is life eternal (John 17:3; I John 5:20).   

 

“Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink. For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered. And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver unto one that is learned, saying, read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed: And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned. Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.” (Isaiah 29: 9-14).

 

But those to whom “it is given in the behalf of Christ” to believe (Philippians 1:29) “the doctrine of Christ” (II John 1:9): that is, the gospel of Jesus Christ: our Lord saith “But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. “The vail that is spread over all nations” (Isaiah 25:7) which blinds the eyes of all men: is destroyed in those who are given life in Jesus Christ, for He saith: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and beliveth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is past from death unto life.” (John 5:24). Spiritual death in Adam closed the eyes of all men to the things of the Spirit of God (I Corinthians 2:14) “For, the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23). The spiritually dead do not see the things of the Spirit of God, nor do they hear the things of God, nor do they understand; but, “in this mountain (the church of Jesus Christ: writer) shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined. (the gospel feast: John 6:53-58). And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it. (Isaiah 25:6-8). Reader be cognizant of this: these blessings prevail in the mountain of God, that is, the church of Jesus Christ, whose members are anointed with the Spirit of the living God. (I John 2:20, 27).

AJ Ison

 

See the writers blog at www.hebrews915.blogspot.com hear the true gospel Jesus Christ Preached at www.13thstbaptist.org webcasting live at listed service times.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good Works That Are Fruit Unto Death

 

Good Works That Are Fruit Unto Death

 

Romans 7:5

 

For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.

 

For when we were in the flesh: that is, before regeneration, while we were in the natural man, (to whom the things of the Spirit of God are foolishness for he cannot know them: I Corinthians 2:14) when we were in innate nature. The motions of sins: which were by the law: that is, the passions of sins excited by the law: the law (which in itself is “holy and just, and good Romans 7:12)” stirs the evil, and vivifies the depravity, and corruptions in the natural heart, which, adds to its hardness, and deepens its prejudice against the law giver. “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” (Romans 8:7). Did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death: the law laid restraint on sin, by the law commanding, “thou shalt not”; and so lust, unfulfilled must increase, the desire after that which is evil; and that in itself, is sin. And so sin by the commandment becomes exceedingly sinful. (Romans 7:13). Therefore the motions of sins which were by the law did work in our members to bring forth more lust after sinful objects and actions, which is sin, and fruit unto death. But this is not all.

 

The motions of sins which were by the law did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death; in a more concealed and unrecognized way, for the Apostle Paul saith: “I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” (Galatians 2:21). For, if men could give obedience to the law of God, perfectly and perpetually, in thought, word, and deed; without the least slip, (for the slightest infraction in the least mark of punctuation of the law, brings certain and eternal death; for the law of God is a “whole law” James 2:10)  there had been no need for the coming of Jesus Christ to honor and fulfill the law (Isaiah 42:21; Matthew 5:17-18).  Although our offense in Adam would yet have damned us. But thank God that Christ Jesus has put away all the sins, of all the elect, of all ages, by one offering: “For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified.” (Hebrews 10:14). “Them that are sanctified” are them that were chosen in the covenant of grace before the foundation of the world, unto the adoption of children, and unto confirmation of the image of Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 1:3-5: Romans 8:29; See also Exodus 13: 2,12: to sanctify is to set apart). Blinded Israel fell into this trap, (of frustrating the grace of God) for they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, went about to establish their own righteousness, and by that action they demonstrated a complete and total disregard for the righteousness  which is brought in by Jesus Christ (Daniel 9:24; Romans 11:9) for “even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;” (Romans 1:28).      

 

Consider the words of the Apostle Paul: “What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” (Romans 9:30-10:4).

Israel Had not submitted themselves to the righteousness of God, being ignorant of the knowledge of God’s righteousness. That righteousness is a Person, Jesus Christ, whom the national leaders rejected, being blinded by God. “What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and 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. And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them: Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.” (Romans 11:7-10). As said Isaiah; “Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink. For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered. And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed: And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned. Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.” (Isaiah 29:9-14).

 

National Israel stumbled at the stumblingstone, Christ (Isaiah 28:16; Psalm 118:22), they said “we will not have this man reign over us” (Luke 19:14). But to the “remnant according to the election of grace” (Romans 11:5) “he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.” (I Peter 2:7-8).

 

National Israel rejected the Christ of God, being ignorant that He is “THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS” (Jeremiah 23:6), and the fulfilling end of the law, for righteousness to everyone that believeth. They stumbled at the elect precious foundation Stone upon which Stone God Has built His church (Genesis 49:24). They would not have Jesus of Nazareth reign over them. (Luke 4:29). And went about to establish their own righteousness by the deeds of the law, by which no flesh shall be justified in the sight of God (Romans 3:20; Psalm 143:2; Philippians 3:9), they sought to be justified in the sight of God by their own law works, because they knew not the Christ of God when He came to them. And everyone who goes about to obtain salvation by something he has to do, to be saved, is of those who reject the Christ of God, trusting his own works for salvation. This notion is the very deceitfulness of sin (Hebrews 3:13; Romans 7:11). Men who are void of grace, seek to obey the law of God in their own person for justification before God, this shows distrust of the Christ of God. God the Father has made Jesus Christ the Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption of his elect people, the “Israel of God” (I Corinthians 1:30; Galatians 6:16). Men by seeking to obey the law in their own person for righteousness, or any part of righteousness, shall never achieve that state of righteousness in the sight of God, for, Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth. God saves His people in, and by Jesus Christ, and in no other way.  

AJ Ison

 

See the writers blog at www.hebrews915.blogspot.com hear the true gospel preached at www.13thstbaptist.org webcasting live at listed service times.