WITNESSES AND RUNNING Devotion 1 of 13 "All Scripture," being given by the "inspiration of God," reflects the priorities and purpose of the Living God. The Word is not a manual of conduct, a lifeless history book, or an organizational charter. Its aim is not the mere reformation of wayward souls, but their transformation. God's Word addresses the matter of man's alienation from God, informing us of the effectiveness of a vicarious sacrifice, honored in heaven and proclaimed upon earth. All of nature has been blasted with the curse of the Almighty, and is destined for destruction (2 Pet 3:10-12). Scripture apprizes us of a means provided by God, through Christ, and by the Spirit, to "clean escape" the realm that has been condemned (2 Pet 2:18). -- Tomorrow:
"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin." (Heb 12:1-4)
All of heaven is involved in the "great salvation," which is being accomplished under the administration of Christ Jesus. Inactivity has no part in God's "eternal purpose." Jesus said His Father was working, and He was also working (John 5:17). The angels are intensely active, "sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation" (Heb 1:13-14). The Holy Spirit has been sent "into our hearts, crying Abba Father" (Gal 4:6). The Lord Jesus Himself "always lives to make intercession for" the saints (Heb 7:25).
There is no room for passivity or inactivity in the Kingdom of God. When it comes to our personal involvement in salvation, the "God-has-done-it-all" hypothesis falls to the ground. There is no such thing as a salvation in which the ones being saved are uninvolved! Noah built an ark! Abraham went into Sarah! Joseph built storage houses for grain in Egypt! Israel went through extensive preparations in their deliverance from Egypt! David fought Goliath! In all of these cases, those being delivered DID something in faith. It was God who saved them, to be sure. Yet, they themselves were involved in the process.
It is no different with us. While our works are not the cause of our salvation, they are involved in its realization. We are, after all, "His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" (Eph 2:10). As to the cause and foundation of our salvation, it all belongs to Christ. But that foundation must be embraced by the individual, becoming the basis for arduous and consistent spiritual activity. Our entrance into the fulness of eternal life involves our "labor" (John 6:27; Heb 4:1). Hands that "hang down" must be strengthened to be raised (Heb 12:12)!
The book of Hebrews calls believers into aggressive involvement with God. It summons them from the outer court into the "holiest of all" – into communion with the Most High. Taken seriously, it will develop a disdain for spiritual idleness and lack of growth. It awakens the soul to the jeopardy of retarded responses to God, a lethargic posture, and the embrace of merely ceremonial religion. Faith cannot sleep, and hope cannot rest! Thus, the Spirit has reminded us of the faithful before us – those filled with faith. They were noted for what they DID – all of them.
Read the eleventh chapter of Hebrews again, and let the record of DOING saints sink down into your heart. You have not forgotten, have you? Elders "obtained a good report," "Abel offered unto God," and Enoch "pleased God." Noah "prepared an ark," "Abraham obeyed," and Sarah "bore a child." "Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau," Jacob "blessed both the sons of Joseph," and Joseph "gave commandment concerning his bones." Moses parents "hid" him in an ark they prepared, Moses "chose to suffer affliction," and Israel "passed through the Red Sea." The walls of Jericho were felled with a "shout" from the believing Israelites, and Rahab "hid" the spies. Faith enabled its recipients to "subdue kingdoms, work righteousness, obtain promises, stop the mouths of lions, quench the violence of fire, escape the edge of the sword, out of weakness be made strong, be valiant in battle, and turn to flight the armies of the aliens." The notion that we can do nothing in the matter of our salvation contradicts both the nature and revelation of that salvation.
This activity, however, is prompted and enabled by faith, not fleshly abilities. It is God who "works in us, both to will and to do of His own good pleasure," but He does not do it without our involvement. It is that involvement that brings Him glory! This is the case because it contradicts every form of human reason and ability. Not a single accomplishment recorded in the eleventh chapter of Hebrews could have been wrought apart from God! Equally true, none of them were wrought without the participation of the individuals involved.
Your salvation is to be seen from this vantage point. The BASIS for it has been accomplished by Jesus Christ, independently of your input. Currently, the intercessory activity of Jesus at God's right hand is sustaining you. Your resources come from heaven through the channel of your faith. The appropriation of those accouterments, however, together with the successful employment of them, requires all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength. THAT IS THE POINT OF THIS SECTION OF SCRIPTURE. No casualness is allowed! Danger consistently lurks in the darkness of life in this world!
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for a salvation that involves the saved ones in the process.