GRACE GAZETTE
Volume IVIssue 44
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

WHERE ARE THE NINE?

And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. Luke 17:17-18

The LORD has revealed that HIS purpose in the creation of the world is to bring glory to HIS name through the redemption of sinners by HIS SON the LORD JESUS CHRIST. Paul said, "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, by (grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." (Eph 2:4-7) GOD does not react to events that unfold in the earth, rather HE designs and directs all things to occur exactly according to his foreordained purpose. HIS will cannot be overturned nor can his desire in any way be thwarted. This is true in every event that transpires in the universe from the placement of the stars, the setting up of human governments, right on down to the movement of dust particles in the air. Nothing is left to chance in the mind of HIM who knows the end from the beginning and does according to HIS will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth.

We have just gone through the celebration of a day which is called "Thanksgiving". Most of us ate a lot, visited with friends and family, took a nap (they say turkey puts you to sleep) or maybe watched a little football on TV and we even found time to say thanks even if it was only in the brief moments during the blessing before the feast. Many people value this tradition highly and not just a few feel quite satisfied in their minds that they could participate in such a grand holiday whose main purpose is designed to be "thanksgiving". The natural religious mind of man is easily satisfied with a few perfunctory prayers which seem so fitting on such a day

All men without exception have tasted of the temporal blessings of GOD on the earth and whether they have acknowledged it or not have seen those blessings displayed. (see Rom.1:19-20) Ten lepers cried out for healing to the LORD saying "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." (Luke 17:13), but only one returned to fall at HIS feet and give HIM glory. When the LORD ministered on the earth, healing the sick, feeding the multitudes, and raising the dead HE had large crowds of people that followed HIM and clamored to be near HIM. However the day came when most of those crowds ceased to pursue HIM. Their interest in HIS message waned as the novely wore off and the reality of what HE was saying started to sink in. (see John 6:66) HE turned to the twelve who were left and said"Will ye also go away?" and Simon Peter answered HIM with a clear confession of faith when he said "Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God." (John 6:68-69)

The men of this world are often temporary and even religious followers of CHRIST to some extent. Some even perform great feats (according to what their comfort level will allow) in HIS name and give some evidence (if only in their own mind) of being HIS true disciples. (see Mat. 7:21-23) The true sons of GOD, however, are those who are desperately compelled to worship HIM without limit and can find no place of satisfaction in their ability to render due glory and honor unto HIS most worthy name. One leper returned to give HIM glory and true thanks for the blessings HE had received. He is typical of that remnant which the LORD has reserved for HIMSELF in the earth and is now calling to worship HIM. (see John 4:23; Rom.11:5; Acts 2:39) Those whom the LORD calls can be identified:

They are thankful for eternal blessings. It is quite common and often merely a matter of conscience for men to thank GOD for temporal blessings. While this is not to be scoffed at, nor should any man neglect to offer such thanks, yet this type of thanks is but the activity of the natural religious mind and does not require any spiritual illumination. The sons of GOD are most assuredly thankful for these temporal blessings (see I Tim. 2:1) knowing that it is from HIS hand and according to HIS grace that they have received anything. (see James 1:17; I Cor.4:7) However, their mind is moved to dwell upon thanks for blessings totally unseen and unknown by the natural man. "Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins." (Col 1:12-14) Those blessings which we are most desirous of are those which shall not fade away when this world has pass"d into history. "Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah." (Psa 68:19) Faith is mixed with thanks even as the LORD described the one leper. GOD"s called out sons are sure that all of their blessings flow out from HIS undeserved favor and mercy and they do not in any sense feel themselves worthy of such kindness.

They are zealous for HIS glory and thankful to see HIM glorified. The delight of the sons of GOD is to see JESUS CHRIST exalted. Paul said "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." (Gal 6:14) The sons of GOD have no confidence in the flesh and count it as nothing before HIM who is the KING of kings and LORD of lords. They seek no one"s honor but HIS and gladly join with all the saints to sing : "And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth."(Rev 5:9-10)

They are desirous of manifesting their thankfulness by being conformed to HIS likeness. Paul said, "But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death." (Phil 3:7-10) GOD is so gracious to HIS children that they cannot help but desire to please HIM in all things. Their greatest delight will be to hear HIM say "Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord." (Mat 25:23)

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