A SLICE OF APOSTOLIC LIFE " . . . which always . . . " -- Tomorrow:
Devotion 16 of 24
ALWAYS
All major versions read the same "always." One exception is Young's Literal Translation which reads, "at all times." The word translated "always" means "at all times, in every case, and ever more" (STRONG'S).
The point to be seen here is that in Christ Jesus a consistency, or invariableness, is obtained that is totally unavailable from any other source. A brief consideration of how this term is used will confirm this to be the case. It will also acquaint us more thoroughly with the nature of spiritual life.
1. There is such a thing as "ALWAYS abounding in the work of the Lord" (1 Cor 15:58).
2. There is a condition where we are "ALWAYS bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus" (2 Cor 4:10).
3. Those in Christ can "ALWAYS be confident" (2 Cor 5:6).
4. It is possible for God to make all grace abound toward us so that we, "ALWAYS having
sufficiency in all things, may abound unto every good work" (2 Cor 9:8).
5. It is "good to be "zealously affected ALWAYS in a good thing" (Gal 4:18).
6. We are called to a life in which we are "giving thanks ALWAYS for all things" (Eph 5:20).
Spiritual life is characterized by godly consistency – both in objective and experience. The closer one gets to the earth, the more prominent spiritual inconsistency becomes. When "the flesh" is prominent, life becomes erratic, or mercurial. A variableness is experienced that is disconcerting, and tends to make for discouragement. While the religious world has its psychological merchants who hawk solutions to its dilemma, I do not believe it possible to be "carnal" and avoid this circumstance.
Stability of life can only be experienced in "the heavenly places," where we have been "seated" in Christ Jesus (Eph 2:6). It is only possible as we "walk by faith, and not by sight" (2 Cor 5:7). This ushers us into the "always" domain, where we are actually living in harmony with heaven, in fellowship with Christ, and as "dear children" before God (Eph 5:1).
It is imperative to so live as to minimize spiritual fluctuation – to avoid blowing hot and cold. The more variable we become, the more a place is made for the devil (Eph 4:27). This is another of the indispensable advantages of growing up into Christ in all things (Eph 4:15), going on to perfection (Heb 6:1), and perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord (2 Cor 7:1). The more spiritually mature we are, the more we can speak of "always."
CAUSETH
" . . . causeth . . . " Other versions read "leads" (NKJV/NASB/NIV), and "maketh" (DOUAY/BBE).
The versions differ significantly in their representations of this text.
1. That God is causing, or making, something happen.
2. That God is leading His people forth in a certain manner.
While there is a sense in which both of these are correct, the emphasis of this text is on the former – God causing something to happen. The particular action that will be described could not possibly have occurred without Divine intervention. It is the work of God, and of God alone. While human activity was involved, the effectiveness is completely owing to the working of God Himself.
If this is too difficult to receive, it should be very obvious because thanks is being given to God for the accomplishment now affirmed. It simply is not possible to give thanks to God for something He did not do. Such a notion is too obvious to require any further explanation.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You intervening in the affairs of men.