One of the most enduring and popular of all TV programs was the game show called Jeopardy. It was built around the opposite premise of most quiz shows. Whereas the format on most quiz shows is to ask a question with the contestants giving an answer; the format of Jeopardy was to give the answer with the contestants supplying the appropriate question.
Recently I heard a preacher say that we don’t have all of the answers. While I understand the point he was trying to make, as I listened to what he said, the thought came to my mind that in reality we do have the one and only ANSWER to all of life’s questions. Our biggest difficulty is that we just don’t always know how to ask the right question.
If there really is nothing new under the Sun then it follows that HE who formed the Sun must indeed be the ANSWER to all questions, since HIS ways are past finding out and HIS thoughts are above ours as far as the heavens are above the earth. So, we set forth the premise and give our answer in the form of a question.
“I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil.” (Isa 45:7) Who is the LORD JESUS CHRIST? HE is indeed the creator of all things. “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” (Rev 4:11) Everything which is in the earth, under the earth, or above it exists according to the good pleasure of HIM whose purpose shall not fail to be accomplished. “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” (Col 1:16-17) The most wicked of devils, the lowest and highest of men, as well as the holiest of angels were created by him and presently exist for HIS glory.
“I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” (Isa 57:15) Who is the LORD JESUS CHRIST? In the first part of that verse we read, “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy.” The wonder and amazement of these two contrasts is astonishing. HE actually is Eternal and alone inhabits eternity, yet it pleases HIM to dwell with those among the sons of men, to whom, HE gives a contrite and humble spirit. “When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?” (Psa 8:3-4)
“Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.” (Isa 53:10-11)Who is the LORD JESUS CHRIST? What folly is it when men consider that the LORD could have, in any sense, failed to accomplish HIS exact purpose in the shedding of HIS blood for HIS people. Yet those who deny the particular and definite atonement of CHRIST for HIS elect picture HIS death as a mere pretext for salvation with the efficacy of it left up to the free will of men to either receive it or reject it and thereby make it effectual. This is blasphemous rhetoric and denigrates the work of HIM who has obtained eternal redemption for each and every one for whom HE stood as a SUBSTITUTE. The atonement of CHRIST is effectual because HE died for HIS elect. If CHRIST purchased their salvation with HIS blood, how is it not complete?
“I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.” (Isa 63:1)Who is the LORD JESUS CHRIST? The declaration of the gospel is that CHRIST is the SAVIOR of sinners. HE has the salvation of HIS people in HIS possession and will lose none of those which are given to HIM by the FATHER. HE is mighty in HIS works and ways and can in no wise fail to accomplish HIS own purpose. The Scriptures, nowhere, describe HIM as one who is trying to save sinners or hopes to save sinners. Rather, they plainly declare that HE came to seek and to save that which was lost, not merely to attempt to save them… HE does not fail in the task which HE came to perform. HE is mighty to save, not merely available.
“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever.” (John 14:16)Who is the LORD JESUS CHRIST? The salvation which the LORD JESUS CHRIST has purchased for HIS people is not merely “a pie in the sky by and by, but HE is the DELIVERER of HIS people from the darkness of the present age. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psa 46:1)
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)Who is the LORD JESUS CHRIST? This is the result of HIS salvation, purchased and applied to HIS elect children when and as HE sees fit. “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” (John 6:37) “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” (Rom 14:17) “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.” (Isa 32:17)
“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:3)Who is the LORD JESUS CHRIST? Paul said that if the dead be not raised, we have no hope. While we rejoice in the present blessing of the LORD in this age, this is but a foretaste of the joys that await the children of GOD in the ages to come. “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 shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” (Eph 2:4-7)
There is no question which can be asked about the salvation of men which does not have as its answer, the LORD JESUS CHRIST. “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. 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.” (1Cor 1:27-31)
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