GRACE GAZETTE
Volume VIIIIssue 12
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 UNSEARCHABLE RICHES OF CHRIST

Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. Ephesians 3:8

All of GOD’s creation is finite in nature since it all has its beginning in HIM and cannot in any wise continue without HIM. “And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”(Col 1:17) All men are bounded by their habitation which they cannot in any wise pass.“And (HE) hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation.” (Act 17:26)

The LORD knows exactly what is the makeup and destiny of everyone of them because they are HIS creation and HE directeth their steps. “O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.” (Jer 10:23) Some consider that the actions of men sometimes run contrary to the purpose of Almighty GOD but such is not the case, for HE is the ONE who calls and men come and says go and they go. (see Isa.46:9-11) “Man's goings are of the LORD, how can a man then understand his own way?” (Prov 20:24) So the foreknowledge of GOD related to the activities of men is not merely a prescience or foresight but rather the result of HIS ordained purpose since nothing can occur contrary to that purpose. Did not David say, “But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.” (Psa 115:3)?

Paul said he had been given the privilege to preach the “unsearchable riches of CHRIST”. This literally means that they are past numbering or finding out the bounds of, or so immense as to be inexhaustible. Men can be defined, known, and seen according to their own limitations and cannot in any sense be said to be “past finding out”, however that is not the case, according to Paul with the GOD of heaven and earth, (see Job 9:10) especially as it has pleased HIM to display the manifestation of HIS boundless love for HIS elect bride.

The riches of CHRIST are said to be unsearchable because:

1 GOD is not bounded and has no limitations, alone, inhabiting eternity. HE encompasses all things and nothing can intrude into that realm wherein HE is pleased to dwell alone completely unknown, unseen, and unapproachable by men. “Who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power everlasting. Amen.” (1Tim 6:15-16)

The general trend of all of the religions of men is to define GOD as one with whom they can be comfortable. (see Rom.1:18-25) Each one delineates his powers and in most cases his shortcomings and limitations in such fashion as to be of the most benefit to them. Men take great delight in a god whom they can know and control, especially one who will listen to all of their cares and concerns and intervene in the random affairs of the world when they desire for him to. Especially when grandma is sick or financial distress looms on the horizon. Yet the true GOD is not and cannot be influenced or in any wise changed in HIS sovereign purpose by any activity of men nor angels. He does according to HIS will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. (see Dan.4:35) Though there are multitudes who claim to believe the bible, it is not such a common thing to find folks who actually believe and worship the GOD who is described in its pages. In fact, it is not uncommon to find many who claim to believe the Bible, growing angry when HIS true character is pointed out to them.

2 The blessings of the LORD’s people are in CHRIST alone. JESUS CHRIST being the fullness of the GODHEAD bodily, has been pleased to reveal HIMSELF to HIS children or else we could or should never have known HIM at all. “This is the stone which was set at naught of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Act 4:11-12)

It is of the mercy of GOD that any man is ever drawn unto the LORD. “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, by (grace ye are saved;)” (Eph 2:5) This is one of those unsearchable riches. “For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive?” (1Co 4:7) It is only the grace of GOD that makes one man an object of HIS mercy while another is appointed unto the wrath which he richly deserves. “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” (Rom 11:33)

Because of their election in CHRIST those who are HIS own are made the recipients of all of those boundless blessings which HE has purchased for them by HIS redemptive work in their behalf. These blessings are indeed unsearchable for there is no end to them. Even as HE said, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” (John 10:10-11)“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”(Joh10:27-28)

3 HE has manifested HIMSELF to HIS children. “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.” (John 10:14) The glory of these unsearchable riches is that it has pleased the LORD to reveal the boundless stores of HIS grace to HIS people. HE has sent forth the gospel into the world in order that HIS children might be able to rejoice in the riches that have been given to them. “Who 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, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” (2Tim 1:9-10)

While HE could have kept HIS determination, to bestow these unsearchable riches upon HIS people, a secret, it has pleased HIM rather, to make both the riches and the grounds upon which they rest openly plain to them, “Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath.” (Heb 6:17)

4 The blessings of the LORD’s people have been theirs in CHRIST before the foundation of the world. Insofar as the understanding of men is capable of conceiving there has never been a time when the children of GOD have not been hidden in the bosom of JESUS CHRIST and been the objects of HIS grace, mercy, and affection. HE has loved them with an everlasting love and has determined to show the riches of HIS grace upon them in an open display to all of creation. “He saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.” (Psa 106:8)

HIS determination to manifest HIS love to them in delivering them from the bondage of sin and darkness of nature’s night is no afterthought on HIS part, but, is the very reason that HE created the world. “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” (Rev 4:11) “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32) The FATHER delights in HIS children and will withhold nothing good from them. “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” (Luke 11:13)

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