Religious men (often with good intentions) have from the beginning sought to stir up the sons of GOD to serve the LORD in the power of their flesh and “free will.” Indeed, the Bible is full of exhortations to those who are the LORD’s children, to walk in a manner which is becoming to those who profess Godliness. Yet there is as much difference between the power of the flesh and will and the power of GOD which works in those children, as the contrast between light and darkness, day and night, and truth and error. This is exactly what the LORD JESUS pointed out to the woman at the well in Samaria. “Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:21-24)
The sons of GOD are exhorted to give of their substance, time and talents to the LORD as Solomon in his wisdom expressed, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” (Eccl 9:10) And as Paul described the same to the Colossians, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men” (Col 3:23) “Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.” (Rom 12:9-15)
While these exhortations ring in our ears, we also confess that in our flesh dwelleth no good thing, and our ability to perform these things cannot be found in ourselves. It is good to “give”, yet to do so with great devotion and precision, (see Matt.23:35) without a cheerful heart is to miss the mark and simply to beat the air, and be as the sounding brass and tinkling cymbal. “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” (2Cor 9:7) It is impossible that a man can act in such a manner, except that it be the work of the LORD who grants HIM a cheerful heart. “When all Thy mercies, O my God, My rising soul surveys, Transported with the view, I’m lost In wonder, love and praise. Ten thousand, thousand precious gifts My daily thanks employ; Nor is the least a cheerful heart That tastes those gifts with joy.” (by Joseph Addison)
The phrase, “by JESUS CHRIST” is found eleven times in the KJV New Testament. Its companion phrase “by CHRIST JESUS” (which is interchangeable) appears three times. The Greek word which is translated as “by”, literally means “the channel of an act”. Paul declares this very fact when he exhorts the Philippians, “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Php 2:12-13) The desire of the flesh is to find a place wherein it might glory and the subtly of our corrupt nature will seek to find such a place even when we know that the LORD is our PERFORMER and is alone worthy of glory. When we compare ourselves among ourselves is when such occurs, setting and prescribing standards of conduct by which we can define “holiness”. The Pharisees were the poster children of just such a mind.
The Pharisee praying in the temple thanked GOD that he was not like other men, necessarily glorying in that which he believed set him apart from the lowly publican. He was a man of high standards and sought to live by such principles each day. He was indeed quite a morally upright man, yet he was in darkness. The LORD said, “But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth.” (Mat 6:3) “when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do. ((Luke 17:10)
CHRIST is the “CHANNEL” by which the sons of GOD are brought before the LORD. HIS HOLINESS and not that of law, is our STANDARD, “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17) “as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Rom 5:21)
CHRIST is the SOURCE of our peace. “The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)” (Acts 10:36)
All judgement is committed into HIS hands. “In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.” (Rom 2:16)
Every good and perfect gift comes to the sons of GOD through CHRIST. “I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge.” (1Cor 1:4-5)
CHRIST has caused us to be reconciled unto HIM, who before were rebels and libertines. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.” (2Cor 5:17-18)
The gifts, calling, and trials of the elect are of HIM. “Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)” (Gal 1:1) “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” (1Pet 5:10)
The sons of GOD are chosen “in” CHRIST and predestinated unto their manifestation as the sons of GOD by HIM. “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.” (Eph 1:5)
HE formed all things for HIS glory and according to HIS purpose which is now revealed in CHRIST. “And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.” (Eph 3:9)
HE has raised up a building with which HE is well pleased and accepts no offerings there except in HIM. “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” (1Pet 2:5)
CHRIST is the complete SUPPLIER of all that the sons of GOD stand in need of. “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Php 4:19)
CHRIST alone is worthy of all praise, for it is HE that has made us and not we ourselves. “Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” (Eph 3:21)
Even the very fruits of righteousness which are wrought in the sons of GOD according to HIS purpose are “by” HIM. “Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.” (Php 1:11) In what do you boast?
mam