A SLICE OF APOSTOLIC LIFE -- Tomorrow:
"Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord, I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia. Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of His knowledge by us in every place." (2 Cor 2:12-14)
Devotion 19 of 24
" . . . and maketh manifest the savor of His knowledge by us in every place."
In Christ Jesus, God is implementing and bringing to completion His "eternal purpose" (Eph 3:11). This is a purpose originating and "given to us in Christ Jesus before the world began" (2 Tim 1:9). There is no Divine activity, guidance, blessing, or intervention that is unrelated to this purpose. It is a purpose that is tied to the Lord Jesus Christ. It is related to the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Rom 3:24), and is expressed throughout Scripture in a variety of ways.
1. CONFORM THOSE IN CHRIST TO CHRIST'S IMAGE. "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren." (Rom 8:29)
2. GATHER EVERYTHING TOGETHER IN ONE IN CHRIST. "That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him" (Eph 1:10)
3. BRING MANY SONS TO GLORY. "For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings" (Heb 2:10)
4. SHOW HEAVENLY PRINCIPALITIES AND POWERS HIS DIVERS WISDOM THROUGH THE CHURCH. "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: to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God." (Eph 3:10)
5. SHOW THE RICHES OF HIS GRACE THROUGHOUT THE AGES TO COME. "Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." (Eph 2:7)
It is never proper to conceive of God as taking a personal and active interest in matters unrelated to this purpose. While this is not intended to leave the impression that the Lord refuses to become involved with His people in the details of life in this world, it is intended to encourage the saints to raise their vision into a realm where Divine activity can be anticipated and enjoyed most fully. There is altogether too much thinking and speaking among professing Christians that has little to do with what God has declared to be His purpose.
A sort of religion is being promoted that actually makes man the center of attention. What he does, desires, accomplishes, needs . . .etc., is spoken of as though they were the main things. Successful religion is thought to be realized when human needs are met. However, this is a gross misrepresentation of the case. It is still true, "For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake" (2 Cor 4:5).
Preaching "ourselves" can take a variety of forms. However, it all boils down to mankind itself being the focal-point of preaching. I cannot overemphasize how utterly wrong this is. Yet, in the Western church, you will be hard-pressed to find a place where this is not the emphasis. It may take the form of presenting Jesus as the solution to all of our problems. It may also take the form of promoting sectarian interests. But, when the center-piece of religion becomes humanity, so that men think primarily of themselves, what they need, and what they do, men have swerved off course.
With these things in mind, the following text will confirm that Paul thought in synch with God's "eternal purpose." He is still referring to the working of God who comforts (1:4), raises the dead (1:9), delivers (1:10-11), establishes (1:21a), anoints (1:21b), seals (1:22a), gives the earnest of the Spirit (1:22b), opens doors (2:12), and causes to triumph (2:14). Now we are told that He is making manifest, or evident, something associated with His purpose.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, grant me grace to maintain a proper focus and emphasis.