THE CERTAINTY OF GOD'S PROMISES There is a note of urgency in these words that is not common in churchdom. There is too often a prevailing casualness that contradicts the nature of living by faith. A sense of the jeopardy that exists outside of Christ has apparently been obscured by commitment to having a good time. -- Tomorrow:
"For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise." (Hebrews 6:13-15)
The Gospel alerts the sinner to the seriousness of his condition. Apart from Christ, the individual is altogether "dead in trespasses and sins" (Eph 2:1). The "prince of the power of the air," the devil himself, is working in them, and they are "condemned already" (Eph 2:2; John 3:18). Such are "children of wrath," appropriately described as "having no hope, and without God in the world" (Eph 2:3,12). Such are not merely people without access to Divine assistance, they are actually on the broad road leading to destruction, with not a shred of hope. Satan works in them at will, and they are rapidly advancing to the day of judgment, in which they will be "punished with everlasting destruction from the face of the Lord and the glory of His power" (2 Thess 1:9). Those who give ear to the Gospel of Christ will begin to sense this dreadful situation. The Gospel, of course, announces a glorious way of escape from this downward moral and spiritual spiral.
There is an allusion here to the cities of refuge established under the Law. Six of these cities were established, three on the other side of the Jordan, and three in Canaan (Num 35:11-14). These cities were established as a "refuge." It is written, "These six cities shall be a refuge, both for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them: that every one that killeth any person unawares may flee thither" (Num 35:15, NIV). Under the Law, the blood of the innocent was avenged by another. This was done quickly, when the killer was confronted (Num 35:19). The justice was exacted so swiftly, in fact, that one who had accidentally killed someone was in jeopardy. In mercy, the Lord provided six cities, spaced appropriately, for a refuge to those who inadvertently caused the death of another. With an absence of lengthy dialog and "due process of law," as we know it, such people "fled," running swiftly, to the closest "city of refuge." They were safe there until the time came to "stand before the congregation in judgment" (Num 35:12). What is more, the seemingly innocent person was himself responsible for getting to the nearest "city of refuge." Protection was not available until he got inside one of the six cities established for refuge. A person in the condition described was foolish to procrastinate, lingering outside a city of refuge in hope that everything would turn out all right.
How appropriate is the figure! Jesus described those remaining in unbelief as those upon whom the wrath of God is abiding. "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him" (John 3:36, NIV). Sinners are living in a condemned world that is "reserved" for "fire" (2 Pet 3:7). However lovely this world may appear, it is the domain of the wicked one, Satan, who is its "prince" (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11). Outside of Christ, individuals not only live in a body condemned to death, they are dominated by spiritual death, existing in a state of alienation from God. Their natures are actually hostile toward God, who has revealed He will cast them from His presence unless they avail themselves of His "great salvation." Those who perceive the situation "flee" from their wretched condition and environment to take hold on the good hope the Gospel sets before them! They flee from the world like Israel did from Egypt!
This is a day when men speak of SEEKER SERVICES. Understand, this is a purely human innovation, however noble it may appear. I certainly will not demean any godly efforts to reach those with a seeking heart. However, in view of the times, I would like to see more FLEEING services! The Gospel is more suited to a fleeing posture than one of casual seeking!
The reason for fleeing is plain: it is to "lay hold upon the hope set before us." Hope, as you must know, is a prominent aspect of spiritual life. The Spirit affirms we are "save by hope" (Rom 8:25), i.e., saved in the sanctifying sense. We engage in the good fight of faith, working out our own salvation with fear and trembling, in the hope of glory. Glory that is beyond this world, outside of the domain of sense and time, has allured us! We have left this world to appropriate the one to come. The grace of God instructs us effectively in the requirements for obtaining that hope. "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ" (Tit 2:11-13). The words "looking for that blessed hope" parallel those of our text, "to lay hold upon the hope set before us." This is why we have left the world, repudiated our former lives, fled to Jesus, and declared war on sin!
Believers have not fled to Christ merely to gain a better life here. The resolution of earthly problems is not sufficient incentive to gain the prize of life eternal! If the individual is going to live a consistent life in Christ, blessings for the day will not provide the needed impetus. In this world, some of our days are characterized by trouble, distress, perplexity, persecution, and being cast down. As it is written, "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed" (2 Cor 4:8-9). If you imagine that the awareness of daily benefits is adequate to the challenges of life, you must think again! We are not saved by daily blessings, but by hope!
This by no means demeans the glory of daily benefits, with which the Lord "loads" us (Psa 68:19). However, daily experience is mixed with trials, persecutions, and all manner of tests. To gain sufficient strength, we must reach beyond what is experience in this world. Fleeing to Jesus to obtain the hope set before us will bring that requirement. Salvation, in its ultimate sense, is not accomplished by deliverances in this world, but by hope. The sanctified life cannot be achieved by majoring on our experiences in this world. It takes hope to save the soul! It is the Object of our hope that we seek to appropriate when we flee to Christ.
Ultimately, our rejoicing is "in hope of the glory of God" (Rom 5:2). That "hope" is not confined to this world, for "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable" (1 Cor 15:19). Faith must reach forward into eternity for the consummate victory to be realized. Our "daily bread," for both body and soul, are confirmations that God is for us. Our answered prayers, joy, and peace attest to the effectiveness of Christ's vicarious sacrifice. But we have not "fled" to Christ simply to enjoy these things. It is the world to come that we seek. The inheritance reserved for us in heaven has captured our attention, and that is what we want! Coming to Christ for any other dominating reason will not be sufficient to sustain the soul in the good fight of faith!
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for providing benefits here, and hope for eternity.