GRACE GAZETTE
Volume VIssue 45
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

A HAPPY MAN

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. Psalms 32:1-2

For every thing which is true, Satan has devised a counterfeit. He is not called the father of lies for no reason. (see John 8:44) "Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light." (2 Cor.11:14) and has laid many snares and traps in the earth designed for the destruction of men (see I Pet.5:8) He is the architect of false doctrine and has his minions scattered throughout the earth to lay in wait to deceive the multitudes, seeking out those he may destroy. His destruction of mankind would be complete because of man's natural spiritual darkness, hatred of GOD, and inherent love of sin, except that GOD in sovereign mercy has reserved to HIMSELF a people who cannot be utterly destroyed by his devilish ways.

This is illustrated quite clearly in the book of Job as Satan made known his diabolical design to cause Job's utter destruction. Yet the LORD demonstrated not only HIS sovereign power over Satan's designs, but also HIS purpose and power in the preservation of Job. Had the LORD not upheld Job in the midst of his trials, and limited Satan's ability to afflict him, he would surely have turned away from the LORD and cursed HIM. What Satan intended as the means of Job's demise, however, the LORD meant for Job's good, even bringing Job to a place of true contrition before HIM as HE revealed HIMSELF to him. Job declared at the end of his trial, "I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes." (Job 42:5-6)

One of the most diabolical of all of Satan's schemes is to trap men in their own quest for "happiness". The preamble to the Declaration of Independence even proposes that "the pursuit of happiness" is one of man’s inalienable rights bestowed upon him by his CREATOR. Man believes that premise and has sought out many devices in order to secure his own happiness. Satan has tapped into that natural desire of men and provided many sources for a man to find pleasure and contentment in the fulfillment of his own fleshly desires. Left to themselves men would go shipwreck soon enough in this burning desire to fulfill their quest for the holy grail of "happiness", but Satan has learned to provide many pitfalls wherein to snare the feet of the sons of men who already are sliding toward the pit.

Some of these snares are so obvious as to pose no danger to many who are restricted by the natural morality and conscience of men. Yet many still go down to their destruction in their pursuit of the immediate gratification of the lusts of the flesh and easily taken in the traps which the Prince of darkness has devised, often turning the very things that are designed for the benefit and help of man into those things which seem to hasten their destruction.

Satan's goal is the destruction of CHRIST (see Gen.3:15) and it is this natural enmity which was ordained by GOD to be used even for the benefit of HIS elect as Judas was moved by Satan to betray the LORD JESUS and deliver HIM up to the Jews, that HE might be slain as a sin substitute in the behalf of HIS bride. Since he has natural enmity towards CHRIST it also follows that he hates the elect of GOD. He cannot know who they are until they are revealed but he is determined to destroy the human race that he might obliterate the "seed" of CHRIST. But thanks be unto GOD that we have a CHAMPION who has fought the battle and emerged a VICTOR over all of the enemies of GOD's people and has forever canceled the debt and dominion of sin for them.

In Satan's quest to destroy the people of GOD he has adopted a very sinister plan of infiltrating among those who are the children of GOD and sowing tares among the wheat. He has often transformed himself into an angel of light or one who seems to be speaking the truth in order to confuse the people of GOD and to cast stumbling blocks in their path. He has a whole arsenal of underlings who go about spreading lies while they think they are preaching the gospel. One of his tried and true tactics which has all but swallowed up the present generation is to send forth "preachers" who are "proclaimers of happiness" and whose main message is one designed to help men have a fulfilled and happy life. The printing presses run day and night to spew out books which teach men how to be happy in all walks of life from finances to marriage, business to entertainment. It is almost required that these preachers be comedians and entertainers in order to hold the attention of their hearers and keep them asking for more. The hearers of their messages are encouraged to give of their money to insure their "happiness" by tapping into GOD's reward system which pays out heavy dividends to the "faithful". Appeals are constantly made to men to "believe the gospel" or let "Jesus into your heart" so that they can find true happiness. Many so called churches have built recreation facilities that rival the city rec department in this quest to bring "happiness" to men, women, boys and girls. Churches are full of "happy" people who are entertained with drama, professional sound systems and artists who know how to use them. Various promotions and gimmicks are employed to keep folks coming. After all folks want a place where they can come and be "happy" and the "happy" preachers are glad to oblige. The preaching and teaching of sound doctrine does not fit this scenario.

Now we are quite certain that the LORD has determined to bring "happiness" to HIS own sons and daughters. Yet this "happiness" is not the bliss and pleasure that the world seeks after nor is it that which modern religion promises to give. The Psalmist said, "Blessed (i.e.; happy) is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity." The only way that such an action can bring happiness to a man is if he has been made painfully aware of his dire need for such an action by the LORD. The natural man is not overly concerned with sin, he may say that he knows sin is wrong or not beneficial to him in some ways but he cannot comprehend the awful breach that his sin has made between himself and GOD until HE is quickened by the SPIRIT and made to know the sinfulness of sin. Modern preachers seem to gloss over the absolute wickedness of men and their utter inability to approach unto an absolutely holy GOD by constantly telling them that all they need to do is decide for GOD.

The true sons of GOD are promised that happiness (blessedness) which only comes by the work of JESUS CHRIST which has been performed for them. Only the born again sons of GOD can find true and complete happiness in a consideration of the imputed righteousness of JESUS CHRIST to their account. By such they are indeed blessed and fully satisfied.

HE has forgiven their transgression. Transgression in the scripture is more than just the committing of an act of sin. Transgression in the context of I John 3:4, is a total disregard and hatred of the law of GOD. Man has not only committed acts of sin but he has continually thumbed his nose at the GOD who has established HIS law in the earth. Yet JESUS CHRIST has forgiven or removed the condemnation of that attitude and has reconciled HIS reborn sons to HIS person and HIS way. They are indeed blessed.

HE has covered their sin. Those acts of sin which they have committed have been covered from the view of the justice of GOD by the shedding of HIS blood. HE has taken away the guilt of HIS elect. There is no legal ground left whereby they may be condemned. HE has expunged their record in the courts of heaven. They are forever justified by the work HE performed on Calvary's cross. They are indeed blessed beyond measure.

"Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin."
(Rom 4:8)

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