There is no greater blessing to the sons of GOD than to see and be reminded of the centrality of CHRIST in the Gospel, yea even in the whole revelation of GOD’s word and purpose, unto men. If any man fails to see that centrality then he cannot preach the true gospel regardless of what else he might know and declare. A lack of understanding of this truth is at the heart of all false doctrine which necessarily centers itself in the freewill of men.
Some view that message, which is preached by those who would make GOD powerless to save men apart from an activity of their own free choice, as being merely another point of view. In reality it is “another gospel” which is not really “another” since there is only one Gospel. This is exactly what Paul told the Galatians, “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.” (Gal 1:6-11)
When men would present the salvation of sinners as being a joint effort by the SAVIOR and the saved, they have departed from the truth and have preached a message which would rob GOD of the rightful place of glory that HE has in providing for the complete salvation of those HE has ordained unto eternal life. Paul was clearly consistent in the message which he declared saying , “CHRIST is all, and in all.” (Col.3:11) He desired to preach nothing but “JESUS CHRIST and HIM crucifed.” (I Cor.2:2)
It is not uncommon to hear “JESUS CHRIST and HIM crucified.” being preached here and there, but it is very rare, in this age in which we live, to hear “nothing but” JESUS CHRIST and HIM crucifed being preached. Most preachers that we hear, feel compelled to make the efficacy of the redemption which CHRIST has performed, to be dependent on man’s reception or decision to believe it. Thus they offer CHRIST upon an auction block and seek to persuade men to allow HIM to save them.
This is totally contrary to the scriptural declaration of what the gospel is and also would go contrary to the words of CHRIST concerning the work of HIS SPIRIT. “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” (John 16:13-14) If HE guides into all truth, and will not speak of HIMSELF, why would puny man think it right in proclaiming HIS truth to speak of his own activity. JESUS CHRIST came into the world to save sinners, not to simply make their salvation possible or even probable. HE is the SAVIOR of those whom HE came to save and of all which the FATHER has given HIM, HE shall lose none.
There are probably no three chapters of the scriptures that are more neglected, unread, and unpreached upon than the ninth through the eleventh chapters of Romans. Except for a few verses in the tenth and eleventh chapters these passages are usually ignored. To do so is to miss the whole purpose of GOD in the creation of the world and to overlook the unfolding of HIS grace in the salvation of that elect remnant which was given to CHRIST before the foundation of the world.
It is fitting that Paul concludes the eleventh chapter with these words, “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.” (Rom 11:36) This is the summation of all that he has said thus far in his epistle to the Romans. If a man fails to see the glory which is found in this summation, then he has missed the gospel and will go about with nothing but “vain jangling” and words without power.
CHRIST is the SUBJECT of each of these prepositions: of,through, and to. Each one connects to HIM. JESUS CHRIST is the ONE name which is above every name. There can be no higher power, no greater glory, nor any more worthiness to be worshipped than HIM who is the “fullness of the GODHEAD bodily”. This is impossible to mistake, for those who have been compelled by HIS SPIRIT to fall down and worship at HIS feet. They desire no other MASTER, seek no other TEACHER, nor exalt any other NAME. Neither do they expect any other salvation than that which comes directly from HIM upon the basis of HIS own work and not their own.
Of HIM. The word “of” denotes the origin of the “all things” which come after it. The eternal SON of GOD is the ORIGINATOR of all things. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” (John 1:1-3) John heard the twenty four elders saying, “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). HE declared in HIS own words to Isaiah, “I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else. I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things. Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it.” (Isa 45:5-8) “All things” includes all things.
The phrase “of the LORD” occurs over 1,700 times in the scriptures and was that which was upon the lips of Jonah when he was in the belly of the great fish and knew himself to be completely lost and in a hopeless state. “Salvation is of the LORD” (Jonah 2:9)
Through HIM. There is no other way in which men could have ever known the true and living GOD, except HE was pleased to reveal HIMSELF in JESUS CHRIST. “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.” (John 1:18) There is no other avenue through which a man might be able to approach unto GOD. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6) It is through JESUS CHRIST that redemption is brought to the sons of GOD. “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.” (Rom 5:9-11)
To HIM. It is unto JESUS CHRIST that all glory is to be given both now and in the ages to come. To HIM all creation shall bring their praise. (see Rom.14:11) “Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” (Rev 14:7)
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