GRACE GAZETTE
Volume IIIssue 33
Published occasionally for Zion’s mourners
Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Hebrews 12::12-13

THE MISSING LINK

But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. Luke 22:32

Those who are convinced of the supposed truth of the theory of evolution only have to produce one piece of evidence which would silence their critics forever, that being the fabled "missing link". If it is true that one species can or has changed from one to another, surely in all of the vast expanses of the world both present and past (i.e.; the so called "fossil record") there should be at least one example of this change in progress. If man descended from apes or birds surely, somewhere, there is a monkey with wings or a man with a tail. The fact of the matter is that the reason no missing link can be produced is because none ever existed. The scripture is clear that GOD made HIS creation as HE intended it to be and has not as some suggest just set things in motion in order to bring it to pass. "But GOD hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and GOD hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath GOD chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in HIS presence. " (1 Cor 1:27-29)I am often amused at the thought of men digging in the earth and discovering the bones of some supposed extinct creature which they are convinced actually lived upon the earth because there is a fossil in the ground. Now whether or not such creatures ever existed is not in my (or your, or their) ability to determine. It is entirely possible that GOD put the "bones" in the earth for no other reason than to confound those who are determined (the wise and mighty) to explain our existence without bowing before the CREATOR.

Now we are not interested in spending a lot of time "debating" the evolutionists for they are quite convinced that their theories are true. To them it is quaint that someone who actually believes that the Bible account of creation is literally true would be so bold and ignorant as to question science (so called). We on the other hand are quite convinced by a power outside of human reason that GOD spoke worlds into existence."Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of GOD, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear." (Heb 11:3)Therefore not a lot is to be gained by such debate. A man has either been given faith to receive the word of GOD or he hasn"t. Human reasoning will never produce faith in those that believe not; nor can it overturn that faith which GOD has wrought in man according to HIS own purpose and glory. No school curriculum can affect it.

So we turn our thoughts to a "missing link" which is of much more importance. Repentance is a subject which commands very little attention in our day; even among those who claim to believe and preach what the scriptures teach. Yet its proclamation was a chief element of John the Baptist’s message. It was at the very heart of the teaching of the LORD JESUS CHRIST. And it was the cornerstone of the apostle’s doctrine. Some have concluded that this was a message entirely intended for the Jews. Yet Paul speaking to the Gentiles at Mars Hill in Athens said that GOD "now commandeth all men every where to repent." (Acts 17:30)

Because of their fallen nature, men are in great spiritual darkness and in need of deliverance from it’s strong, icy grip. In order for a man to have any understanding of spiritual truth he must receive enlightenment from a source outside of his own intellect. We believe that regeneration (i.e.; the new birth) is the perfect work of GOD in a man to bring him into a perfect light. At the same time we believe there is a work of enlightenment that sometimes takes place in men that falls short of that new birth but is nonetheless an eye opener of sorts. (see II Pet.2:20-22) Another perfect work which GOD produces in HIS children is that of the gift of faith which enables a man to embrace that revelation of truth. At the same time there is a belief of sorts which men have which falls short of saving faith. (see James 2:19,20) At the end of this chain of events is another perfect work of GOD in HIS people which is the culmination of the new birth and faith which we call conversion. This is totally lacking in those who are only partially enlightened and possessing a nominal faith. The "missing link" is repentance.

Peter was a man who professed faith in CHRIST. The LORD even used him as an example of true faith and testified of the fact that he had received the knowledge that he had by divine revelation. Yet Peter had not yet been converted. Job testified of his faith and dependence on GOD when he argued with his friends. Yet Job had not yet been converted. Nebuchadnezzar had some knowledge of GOD when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were delivered from the fiery furnace. Yet Nebuchadnezzar had not yet been converted. Paul was a Pharisee and a student of the scriptures, zealous for the glory of GOD when Stephen was stoned, perhaps even pricked in his conscience. Yet Paul had not yet been converted. The LORD revealed HIMSELF to these men when HE brougnt them to their knees in repentance. When their beauty (self esteem) was turned to corruption (i.e.; was compared to the glory of GOD) within them they all fell on their faces and worshipped HIM who is the True and Living GOD. Repentance is a Godly sorrow which produces a profound result in those who experience it. It is not the sorrow which the world has, such as that which drove Judas to despair and suicide. Nor is it a common feeling of regret which is the natural work of the conscience. True repentance is a life changing experience that cannot be overturned and is an evidence of the grace of GOD.

mam