Christian Blogs, Discipleship Encouragement and Correction
Faith. Raising Up From the Well
To the extent that you believe that God’s promises are sure, the delight of them can be brought to the present by faith. Mark, that I say the delight of them; not the reality of them as one day we shall experience in heaven all of God’s riches and that abundantly.
If you must, consider what we once did with our minds in our sin nature. All men; possessing reason, use their minds to recreate the desire of their eyes and lust of the flesh. Men are not brute beasts inasmuch as they only sate their appetites by actively engaging with another in their sin. (Though many are brutes and will act out if given the opportunity.) The point is, that because we have reason and can imagine, we can bring every lust and depravity forward to the present; every picture, image, memory. Some revel in it! They boast! I have. And I can say this because I know personally that all men have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. But by faith, I can also tell you that I am even now; while writing this blog, seated in Christ at the right hand of the Father. Amazing.
Listen, men! Those who say they are the sons of God! Understand the distinction of faith in Christ and what is appropriated by natural reason. Faith transcends reason, and the life that we by faith was only lived once before on earth: His name is Jesus. He is author and finisher of our faith; of all things promised and one day to end with a new Kingdom and earth. The natural man cannot understand this; but if we truly understand, we know that they can’t. We know because we too were once lost and living in darkness. It was not our genius that quickened us, but His Spirit; and that by the will of God. Thus, today, we have the mind of Christ. And in His Spirit, He can bring to the fore all of the delights promised of God as it relates to the eternal man and soul. How else did martyrs go the stake praising God? Who was it that they saw waiting there amidst the flames? In times of trial and tribulation, He is present with us. By faith, we draw from a bottomless and most wonderful well. Pray that God will increase our faith today, so that not only our ropes are lengthened, but we actually draw to the surface from the depths His promises and assurances. Many by faith may drop their buckets but then leave them there. What refreshment is that?
As Jeremiah Burroughs pointed out in his sermon, “The Glorious Enjoyment of Heavenly Things by Faith,” faith can take all present evil and send it far away. David spoke of this in Psalms 91:7. “A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.” And, what appears in blessing to be ever so far away and during the most difficult times, faith brings nigh. “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Phil. 4:11. Oh, that we might learn to sink ourselves deep into God’s eternal well and fountain. Amen.
