The age in which we presently live is probably the most religious (or at least among the most religious) eras in the history of mankind. Beliefs of all types have proliferated and the current age with its heretofore unknown capabilities of communication has become a ripe ground for such propagation. It has become increasingly difficult to differentiate between those of completely pagan origin and many which ostensibly consider the Bible to be their source of truth. All of these religions (and religious organizations) depend upon men to convince other men of their teachings and all appeal to the carnal appetites of men in their music, their literature, and their goals.
One thing that all false religions in the Earth share is a belief that man has a completely free will which even GOD is powerless to control, or at least chooses not to. Another commonly held belief among these religions is that men are capable of communicating with GOD and that GOD is pleased with their morality and good deeds and will reward them according to their various degrees of obedience and especially activities of “faith” which they are able to generate.
As the LORD JESUS walked among men, performing many miracles of healing, in the cities of Capernaum, Chorazin, and Bethsaida, HE upbraided them, not because they did not marvel at these miracles which HE performed, but that they did not fall down in repentance, worshipping at the feet of HIM whom the LORD had sent. Though HE did single them out, HE did so in order to demonstrate the common unbelief of their generation, even as ours. In essence HE taught them the same thing that HE did when HE reminded HIS hearers of those that had perished when Pilate sent his soldiers among them or those that perished in the collapse of a building, “And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:2-5)
Every generation of mankind is more wicked than the one which went before it, simply because the natural depravity of man multiplies itself, unless the LORD sees fit to restrain it. Quite often men will look back to the “good old days” and surmise that men were more godly then than now. There is a measure of truth in that, since “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” (2Tim 3:13) Yet there has never been a “righteous generation”, since the seed of evil is sown deeply in the soil of man’s heart from the beginning and there is but ONE REMEDY for this evil which multiplies to the destruction of men.
The underlying problem for all of mankind is that they will not and cannot acknowledge the glory of GOD revealed in CHRIST JESUS unless HE is pleased to open their heart and mind to receive HIS TRUTH. Each successive generation is more hardened than the one which went before it. Unbelief begets unbelief, and blindness to spiritual truth produces more blindness. Thus, man finds himself in a great dilemma, which he is actually unaware of, since he is increasingly satisfied with false religion (especially that which masquerades as truth) which is passed down from one generation to the next. “Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” (Mat 15:7-9)
The TRUTH of GOD is quite contrary to the natural thinking of men. Men think that they have a great enough intellect to decipher the TRUTH, and have even established institutes of “higher learning” (sometimes called “preacher schools”) which are primarily dedicated to studying the Bible and teaching men “how to preach”. We certainly have no argument with any who desire to study the Bible, but we do take issue with those who think they can impart an understanding of the scriptures to others by their expert and scholarly teaching. Or those who think that only such men as have sat under their teaching are “qualified” to teach others, let alone preach the unsearchable riches of CHRIST by their formulas and outlines. There is only ONE who can raise up “teachers” and “preachers” and give them the necessary understanding and calling to teach others. The greatest lesson which those who are taught by HIM learn, is that they know nothing as they ought to know and feel the need to be continually taught by the MASTER TEACHER who alone leads into all TRUTH.
We have read of the Queen of Sheba who, having heard of the wisdom of Solomon, traveled many miles to be a witness of his wisdom in action. She was amazed as she saw him firsthand, even saying that he was greater than she was led to believe. Truly the LORD blessed Solomon with the wisdom of this world which exceeded that of all men. Yet Solomon was sorely lacking in “true wisdom”, for we see him multiplying horses and wives (which he was warned not to do) who ultimately led him away from the worship of the ONE TRUE GOD, to the wickedness of those religions which exalted the false gods of the heathen. He serves as an example of how quickly men degenerate in their own power and wisdom and manifest the innate weakness and unrighteousness of men by nature.
There is ONE who is greater than Solomon. “In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Col 2:3) If a man is to possess true wisdom and knowledge, he must find it at is SOURCE. Though man has no capability to gain such WISDOM, HE who possesses all has seen fit to condescend to men of low estate and to take up HIS residence with them. ONE “greater than Solomon is here.” “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” (John 14:16-18)
When CHRIST is come HE teaches one message through the operation of HIS SPIRIT in HIS children. “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. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” (John 16:13-15) CHRIST is the central theme of the Gospel. The Gospel is not just about CHRIST, the GOSPEL is CHRIST.
CHRIST crucified, buried, risen, and ascended is that “good news” which brings “life and immortality to light”. The whole purpose of creation is to set the stage for the unfolding of the glory of GOD in sending forth HIS SON as a SUBSTITUTE for guilty sinners. HE has magnified the glory of HIS grace in that work which CHRIST has done, being “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 1:30-31) There is nothing which the sons of GOD have stood in need of that HE has not provided and performed perfectly.
The sons of GOD are made wise in CHRIST. They stand before the judgement seat of GOD as those who are clothed in the RIGHTEOUSNESS of CHRIST. They need nothing else. CHRIST has “sanctified” them, first as they were chosen “in HIM” before the foundation of the world. Then as HE purchased their redemption by the shedding of HIS blood and the laying down of HIS own life as HE “sanctified HIMSELF” unto this end. Thus, HE has taken upon HIMSELF the mantle as their REDEEMER KING, who has asked and gotten the heathen for HIS inheritance. (see Ps.2) They are HIS by design and purchase and HE will lose none whom HE has determined to save. HE causes them to call upon HIS NAME, to believe in HIS work as a satisfaction of the Law, the covering of their sin, and the ONE to whom they owe their allegiance. Do you believe HIM?
mam