[For you are a holy people to the Lord your God, and the Lord has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples who are on the face of the earth] (Deut. 14:2). [You are a chosen generation , a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people] who are ... [chosen and faithful] (1Peter 2:9, Rev. 17:14). [I chose you out of the world] (John 15:19).
It is written in Deuteronomy 14:2 that the Lord God chose us to be His holy people. We know well that the triune Gods- the Father, the Son, and the Spirit - are all termed "the Lord." Then who out of the three chose us among all peoples of the earth? This is the issue we would like to question.
And now I would like to present an argument through the Bible, that it is God the Holy Father, our real Father who has chosen us.
Most believers today think that Jesus alone chose them (John 15:16) and takes care of them while the Father is unconcerned about them, only searching for their faults and sins with sharp eyes, who is stingy with His love and pardon and always seeking to give judgment and orders.
But I would like to prove, through the Bible, that this conception of God is absolutely contrary to reality and that our Father is not at all who we think.
I say again that He is our real Father who is not in the slightest bit less concerned about His sin-polluted children than Jesus or the Spirit. He is rather so much more concerned that [the very hairs of [our] head are all numbered ] (Matt. 10:30) by Him. He draws near to every child of His with tender care and love for each one individually. It is our heavenly Father who has chosen us out of all the people of the earth and made us heirs to His everlasting kingdom.
Every child of His that lived on earth throughout the ages have been [predestined according to the purpose of Him,] the only true God, [who works all things according to the counsel of His will] (Eph. 1:11). [The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ ... has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will] (Eph. 1:3-5). [You are the Lord God, who chose Abram and brought him out of Ur of the Chaldees, and gave Him the name Abraham] (Neh. 9:7). And after that God also said to Moses, [Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, 'The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you'] (Ex. 3:15). We can see that it was our Father who chose Moses, the leader of Israel. And [the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our father, glorified His Servant Jesus] (Acts 3:13), whom He had chosen to be the Savior of the world.
While I was preaching in a church regarding this subject one of the brethren asked, "But wasn't it Jesus who chose the Apostle Paul?" My answer to him was "No," and we opened the Bible. Let us now investigate this matter. Please find Acts 22:13-15 first. This is the word delivered by Ananias, a messenger of the Lord, [Brother Saul, receive your sight ... the God of our fathers (the Father) has chosen you that you should know His (the Father's) will and see the Just One(Jesus of Nazareth) and hear the voice of His (Jesus') mouth ; for you will be His (God's) witness to all men.] And later he praised the God of heaven in gratitude who had called and chosen him, [Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ... He chose us in Him before the foundation of the word] (Eph. 1:3, 4). He exclaimed [By the grace of God (the Father of Jesus) I am what which was with me] (1 Cor. 15:10).
Now let us find out about Jesus' twelve disciples. It seems as though they were chosen and called by Jesus Himself, but actually, our heavenly Father Himself chose them and committed them to Jesus His Son. What we must know first is that before Jesus chose and ordained the twelve, He had gone to His Father and spent a night in prayer. For it was a most profound and grave matter for Him to choose His disciples to whom would be entrusted the work of redemption of the world, that the Father and Son had begun with such great sacrifice, and upon whom the success or failure of it would depend upon. [In those days He went out to the mountain to pray; and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, He called His disciples to Him, and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles] (Luke 6:12, 13). These were the disciples whom God had given to Jesus in answer to His previous night's prayer, “Oh My Father who sent Me! Please choose for Me disciples who will take up the work of redemption that You have planned." And then He said, [No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him] (John 6:44). [All that the Father gives Me will come to Me; and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out] (John 6:37). [I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand] (John 10:28). In these words He pledged Himself to protect and steadfastly preserve those whom His Father had given Him.
Indeed, there is no one under heaven who can snatch us out of the mighty hand of Jesus Christ, our General, who has overcome the world and has always been victorious in the battle against Satan the great enemy. Our stray and fall is not by the force of the enemy but by our own choice. Unless we agree, Satan the devil cannot snatch us from the bosom of our Lord Jesus Christ. [He who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him] (1 John 5:18). He also guarantees us double protection, [My Father ... is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand] (John 10;29). What a mighty and thorough, undestroyable double-walled protection our Father and Eldest Brother, who neither slumber nor sleep, guard us with! Moreover, we are also surrounded by three, four-fold walls of protection - the Holy Spirit and the attendance of thousands and ten thousands of angels.
Now finally, who has chosen you, reader? Let us incline our ears to the Bible, the true witness of God. [God is faithful, by whom you are called into the fellowship of His son, Jesus Christ our Lord] (1 Cor. 1:9). [The Lord has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples who are on the face of the earth] (Deut. 14:2). [You are a chosen generation ... His own special people] (1Peter 2:9). We are His own children whom He has chosen and called out of the world. What a wonderful grace and love of our Father it is! If our Father had not chosen us out of the world and drawn us to Jesus, who could enjoy communion with Jesus and become His friend today?
[In this is love, not that we loved God,] [He first loved us] (1 John 4:10, 19).
[All we like sheep have gone astray] (Isa. 53:6), but He loved us so much and made us His children.
Hymn
1. The love of God is far greater than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star, and reaches to the lowest hell:
The guilty pair, bowed down with care, God gave His Son to win;
His erring child he reconciled, and pardoned from his sin.
Oh, love of God, how rich and pure! How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure - the saints' and angels' song.
2. Could we with ink the ocean fill, and were the skies of parchment made;
Were every stalk on earth a quill, and every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole, though stretched from sky to sky.
Oh, love of God, how rich and pure! How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure - the saints' and angels' song.
* Questions and Answers about the Doctrine of Foresight and Predestination
As I was traveling by train, a smart young man who was sitting in front of me asked me a question, "Excuse me, but are you not a pastor?" From this introduction, a conversation began with him asking, "In church I learned that because God has long ago chosen those whom He would save, it would be useless for those who are not chosen to believe in Him; meanwhile, the chosen ones would be saved by any means. Is this the true doctrine of the Bible?"
This is an issue that not only perplexed this young mind but is also disputed among many theologians today. The doctrine of foresight and predestination was first initiated by the words of Apostle Paul who said that God had chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world; and so a group of theologians assert that because God had chosen those who would be saved before the foundation of the world, none could be saved but them. Still others assert otherwise, based on the words of the Apostle John, "Since God so loved the world, He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him can be saved," therefore, the redeemed ones cannot have been fixed for salvation a long time ago. At this point I would like to say that both views are right. Though you may say, "What an absurd answer that is!" Let me have a moment to explain it.
There are about sixty students in a school classroom. The teacher in charge of the class is responsible for choosing the best student and giving that student a prize at the end of the year. Then can he not, being in charge of them all year round, foresee and predetermine who will win the first prize? It is easy for the teacher who has carefully watched his students, to foresee and predetermine who will win the first prize. And his foresight and predetermination is usually over 95% accurate, so at last, the one whom he foresaw and predetermined receives the first prize.
But there is an exception. If the one whom the teacher foresaw and predetermined unexpectedly deviates from his good conduct in the middle of the year and starts making bad friends, neglecting to study and going astray, while on the other hand, the unfaithful and mischievous pupil regrets his past and sets his heart to diligent studying, then eventually, the ends will somehow justify the means. This naughty and mischievous student will end up receiving the first prize upon evaluation of the final examination while the predetermined, expected winner will only lose out. In such a situation, can the teacher say to the mischievous student who got the highest grade, "Because you are not the one I foresaw and predetermined, I will not grant you the first prize. I will rather grant it to him whom I foresaw and predetermined at the beginning of the year, even though he got such a low grade by his negligence throughout the term?"
Perhaps there is no such teacher in the world who would judge so unfairly. Likewise, do you think our omniscient Father who knows everything from everlasting to everlasting, the past, present, and future, cannot foresee who are His faithful and obedient ones to be saved from a long time ago? Nothing is hidden from His sight. It is His responsibility and right to foresee and predetermine us, for He is our real Father who has begotten and brought us up. None can raise objection to His power. Who has the right to interfere with what He does as He pleases in how He brings forth and raises His own children or gives them rewards? Even parents in this world can bestow large fortunes upon the faithful ones while upon the reckless ones, they give no inheritance but rather drive them out; and yet, no one can interfere or question the parents' judgment.
We have seen in the Bible people such as Balaam the prophet and king Saul whom God had foreseen and predestined going astray to destruction. While on the contrary, people such as the burglar on the cross, who had led a degrading and corrupt life in the world, repent of his past sins and return to God, taking another's place and receiving the reward in heaven. Therefore, I do not believe in the theory that those whom God has foreseen and predestined from the beginning of the world will be saved at any rate. I believe that even the Gentiles who are not chosen will inherit eternal life and the kingdom of God if they only, though so late, like the burglar on the cross, return, repent and obey Him at anytime.
So I support both assertions that God has chosen those who will be saved since the beginning and that any one who believes in Him will be saved. Therefore, I am certain that both statements of Apostle Paul and Apostle John in the Bible are genuine truths that no one need misunderstand or doubt.
[When I say to the righteous that he shall surely live, but he trusts in his own righteousness and commits iniquity, none of his righteous works shall be remembered; but because of the iniquity that he has committed, he shall die. Again, when I say to the wicked, 'You shall surely die,' if he turns from his sin and does what is lawful and right ... walks in the statutes of life without committing iniquity, he shall surely live; he shall not die] (Eze. 33:13-15).
[As I live, says the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?] (Eze. 33:11).
Praise the Lord! Glory to our righteous heavenly Father!
Friday, February 27, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
6. Our Father Who Personally Answers All Our Prayers
[But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. But when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do ... for your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him] (Matt. 6:6-8).
It is so heart-breaking and embarrassing to see a great number of people think that our Father does not accept our prayers directly, but that when we pray to Jesus the Intercessor, He goes to the Father and tells Him what we prayed about; then, after He hears of our circumstances from Jesus, He bestows His gifts or His will upon Him, and He (Jesus) brings them to us.
But this is fatally wrong and a great misunderstanding. If there are any who have cherished this thinking among my brothers and sisters reading this book, I hope that you will, from now on come to the throne of our Father boldly with confidence, meeting Him directly and talking to Him openly of your desires, requests, and perplexing situations without any hesitation. This is an absolute privilege of the sons and daughters of the heavenly Father.
For instance, in these earthly nations, in order for cabinet ministers, congressmen or generals to meet their king or president, they must first get permission from the chief of the office of the presidential security. And as they draw toward the president, they bend their heads and approach with an awe-stricken heart. They cannot behave freely before their king. However, the king's real children, his princes and princesses do not act like this at all. However dignified, majestic and fearful the king may be, they are not in the slightest degree afraid of him because he is their real father who has begotten them; to be with him is their joy. As they come before the king, do they need any permission from the chief of the office of the presidential security? Who would dare to even inspect them? It is not because they are better looking than others, or higher in rank than ministers and congressmen. On the contrary, they are more plain-looking than those considered handsome or beautiful in this world, and they hold no respected position. It is solely because they are the kings' real sons and daughters that they behave and speak so freely and openly without the slightest apprehensions or fear in front of all peoples or officials of the court.
In the same way, as we who [received the right to become children of God] (John 1:12) draw near to our real Father who has borne and brought us up, we do not need any mediator in between. Though we are not generals or ministers, angels or archangels, we are real sons and daughters of the King of the universe, heavenly princes and princesses! We need neither formalities, procedures, nor any identification cards for inspection. Moreover, it is rather silly to have an interpreter or a mediator. Let us come boldly to our real Father who is so tender and loving, who has borne and brought us up. Let us leap into His bosom and talk to Him with our little lips, sharing with Him all our wishes, joys and delightful experiences. Let us be as happy children in the bosom of our wonderful Father.
The intercession of Jesus and the Holy Spirit mentioned in the Bible is similar to when in a family, a little baby learns to say, "mom" or "daddy." Because he cannot speak clearly, the mother and brothers intercede for the baby to his daddy. Likewise, Jesus and the Holy Spirit speak to the Father for us when [we do not know what we should pray for as we ought] (Rom. 8:26), not that They are making intercession between a deadly criminal and the king, begging for relief on his behalf, but rather in a family viewpoint.
Our Father in heaven, the King of the entire universe, declares to all the inhabitants of the universe today, [And to the saints who are on the earth, they are the excellent ones,] they are My sons [in whom is all My delight] (Ps. 16:3). He also speaks to us, [You are My son ... I have begotten you] (Ps. 2:7). [Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations for Your inheritance](Ps. 2:8). [You will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you] (Jer. 29:12). [I will answer you] (Jer. 33:3). [You shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am'] (Isa. 58:9). [Before they call I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear] (Isa. 65:24). [And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart] (Jer. 29:13). And He kindly says to us al ways, [call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me] (Ps. 50:15).
Jesus also says, [Ask, and it will be given to you ... For everyone who asks receives] (Matt. 7:7, 8). [Ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; for the Father Himself loves you] (John 16:26, 27). [Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights] (James 1:17). [You do not have because you do not ask] (James 4:2).
[Let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him] (James 1:5). [He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?] (Rom. 8:32). [If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him] (Matt. 7:11). [Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them] (Mark 11:24).
Pray to your Father who is in the secret place] (Matt. 6:6).
We may come into God's presence with the confidence that children have in their parents. No man is needed to act as a mediator. In the secret place of prayer, where no eye but God's can see, no ear but His can hear, we may pour out our most hidden desires and longings to the Father of infinite pity, and in the hush and silence of the soul, that voice which never fails to answer the cry of human need will speak to our hearts. [The Lord is very compassionate and merciful] (James 5:11). He waits with unwearied love to hear the confessions of the wayward and to accept their penitence. He watches for some return of gratitude from us, as a mother watches for the smile of recognition from her beloved child. He would have us understand how earnestly and tenderly His heart yearns for us. He invites us to take our trials to His sympathy, our sorrows to His love, our wounds to His healing, our weakness to His strength, our emptiness to His fullness. Never has one been disappointed who came to Him. [Your Father who sees in secret will reward you] (Matt. 6:6).
Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend. Our Father waits to bestow upon us the fullness of His blessing. What a wonder it is that we pray so little! God is ready and eager to hear the sincere prayer of the humblest of His children, and yet there is much reluctance on our part to make known our wants to God. What can the angels of heaven think, of poor helpless human beings who are subject to temptation, when God's heart of infinite love yearns toward them, they pray so little and have so little faith?
Satan encloses those who neglect to pray. Why should the sons and daughters of God be reluctant to pray when prayer is the key in the hand of faith to unlock heaven's storehouse where are treasured the boundless resources (riches, power, wisdom, etc.) of Omnipotence.
Through sincere prayer we are brought into connection with the mind of the Infinite. We may have no remarkable evidence at the time that the face of our Redeemer is bending over us in compassion and love, but this is even so. We may not feel His visible touch, but His hand is upon us in love and pitying tenderness.
We should pray in the family circle, and above all we must not neglect secret prayer. Pray in your room, and as you go about your daily labor, let your heart be often uplifted to God. It was thus that Enoch walked with God.
My brothers and sisters! Spread out your wants, your joys, your sorrows, you cares, and your fears before God. You cannot burden or weary Him. He who numbers the hairs of your head is not indifferent to the wants of His children. [The Lord is very compassionate and merciful] (James 5:11).
His heart of love is touched by our sorrows and even by our utterances of them. Take to Him everything that perplexes the mind. Nothing is too great for Him to bear, for He holds up worlds. He rules over all the affairs of the universe. Nothing that in any way concerns our peace is too small for Him to notice. There is no chapter in our experience too difficult for Him to unravel.
No calamity can befall the least of His children, no anxiety harass the soul, no joy cheer, no sincere prayer escape the lips, of which our heavenly Father is unobservant, or in which He takes no immediate interest. [He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds] (Ps. 147:3). The relations between God and each soul are as distinct and full as though there were not another soul upon the earth to share His watchcare, not another soul for whom He gave His beloved Son.
Jesus says, [You will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; for the Father Himself loves you] (John 16:26). [I chose you ... that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He may give you] (John 15:16). Our God is a tender, merciful Father. Service to Him should not be looked upon as a sorrowful and distressing event. It should be a pleasure to worship the Lord and take part in His work. God would not have His children, for whom so great salvation has been provided, act as if He were a hard, exacting taskmaster. He is their best Friend. Let us with joy come before our Father, with [thanksgiving and the voice of melody] (Isa. 51:3).
Praise the Lord.!
It is so heart-breaking and embarrassing to see a great number of people think that our Father does not accept our prayers directly, but that when we pray to Jesus the Intercessor, He goes to the Father and tells Him what we prayed about; then, after He hears of our circumstances from Jesus, He bestows His gifts or His will upon Him, and He (Jesus) brings them to us.
But this is fatally wrong and a great misunderstanding. If there are any who have cherished this thinking among my brothers and sisters reading this book, I hope that you will, from now on come to the throne of our Father boldly with confidence, meeting Him directly and talking to Him openly of your desires, requests, and perplexing situations without any hesitation. This is an absolute privilege of the sons and daughters of the heavenly Father.
For instance, in these earthly nations, in order for cabinet ministers, congressmen or generals to meet their king or president, they must first get permission from the chief of the office of the presidential security. And as they draw toward the president, they bend their heads and approach with an awe-stricken heart. They cannot behave freely before their king. However, the king's real children, his princes and princesses do not act like this at all. However dignified, majestic and fearful the king may be, they are not in the slightest degree afraid of him because he is their real father who has begotten them; to be with him is their joy. As they come before the king, do they need any permission from the chief of the office of the presidential security? Who would dare to even inspect them? It is not because they are better looking than others, or higher in rank than ministers and congressmen. On the contrary, they are more plain-looking than those considered handsome or beautiful in this world, and they hold no respected position. It is solely because they are the kings' real sons and daughters that they behave and speak so freely and openly without the slightest apprehensions or fear in front of all peoples or officials of the court.
In the same way, as we who [received the right to become children of God] (John 1:12) draw near to our real Father who has borne and brought us up, we do not need any mediator in between. Though we are not generals or ministers, angels or archangels, we are real sons and daughters of the King of the universe, heavenly princes and princesses! We need neither formalities, procedures, nor any identification cards for inspection. Moreover, it is rather silly to have an interpreter or a mediator. Let us come boldly to our real Father who is so tender and loving, who has borne and brought us up. Let us leap into His bosom and talk to Him with our little lips, sharing with Him all our wishes, joys and delightful experiences. Let us be as happy children in the bosom of our wonderful Father.
The intercession of Jesus and the Holy Spirit mentioned in the Bible is similar to when in a family, a little baby learns to say, "mom" or "daddy." Because he cannot speak clearly, the mother and brothers intercede for the baby to his daddy. Likewise, Jesus and the Holy Spirit speak to the Father for us when [we do not know what we should pray for as we ought] (Rom. 8:26), not that They are making intercession between a deadly criminal and the king, begging for relief on his behalf, but rather in a family viewpoint.
Our Father in heaven, the King of the entire universe, declares to all the inhabitants of the universe today, [And to the saints who are on the earth, they are the excellent ones,] they are My sons [in whom is all My delight] (Ps. 16:3). He also speaks to us, [You are My son ... I have begotten you] (Ps. 2:7). [Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations for Your inheritance](Ps. 2:8). [You will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you] (Jer. 29:12). [I will answer you] (Jer. 33:3). [You shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am'] (Isa. 58:9). [Before they call I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear] (Isa. 65:24). [And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart] (Jer. 29:13). And He kindly says to us al ways, [call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me] (Ps. 50:15).
Jesus also says, [Ask, and it will be given to you ... For everyone who asks receives] (Matt. 7:7, 8). [Ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; for the Father Himself loves you] (John 16:26, 27). [Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights] (James 1:17). [You do not have because you do not ask] (James 4:2).
[Let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him] (James 1:5). [He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?] (Rom. 8:32). [If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him] (Matt. 7:11). [Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them] (Mark 11:24).
Pray to your Father who is in the secret place] (Matt. 6:6).
We may come into God's presence with the confidence that children have in their parents. No man is needed to act as a mediator. In the secret place of prayer, where no eye but God's can see, no ear but His can hear, we may pour out our most hidden desires and longings to the Father of infinite pity, and in the hush and silence of the soul, that voice which never fails to answer the cry of human need will speak to our hearts. [The Lord is very compassionate and merciful] (James 5:11). He waits with unwearied love to hear the confessions of the wayward and to accept their penitence. He watches for some return of gratitude from us, as a mother watches for the smile of recognition from her beloved child. He would have us understand how earnestly and tenderly His heart yearns for us. He invites us to take our trials to His sympathy, our sorrows to His love, our wounds to His healing, our weakness to His strength, our emptiness to His fullness. Never has one been disappointed who came to Him. [Your Father who sees in secret will reward you] (Matt. 6:6).
Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend. Our Father waits to bestow upon us the fullness of His blessing. What a wonder it is that we pray so little! God is ready and eager to hear the sincere prayer of the humblest of His children, and yet there is much reluctance on our part to make known our wants to God. What can the angels of heaven think, of poor helpless human beings who are subject to temptation, when God's heart of infinite love yearns toward them, they pray so little and have so little faith?
Satan encloses those who neglect to pray. Why should the sons and daughters of God be reluctant to pray when prayer is the key in the hand of faith to unlock heaven's storehouse where are treasured the boundless resources (riches, power, wisdom, etc.) of Omnipotence.
Through sincere prayer we are brought into connection with the mind of the Infinite. We may have no remarkable evidence at the time that the face of our Redeemer is bending over us in compassion and love, but this is even so. We may not feel His visible touch, but His hand is upon us in love and pitying tenderness.
We should pray in the family circle, and above all we must not neglect secret prayer. Pray in your room, and as you go about your daily labor, let your heart be often uplifted to God. It was thus that Enoch walked with God.
My brothers and sisters! Spread out your wants, your joys, your sorrows, you cares, and your fears before God. You cannot burden or weary Him. He who numbers the hairs of your head is not indifferent to the wants of His children. [The Lord is very compassionate and merciful] (James 5:11).
His heart of love is touched by our sorrows and even by our utterances of them. Take to Him everything that perplexes the mind. Nothing is too great for Him to bear, for He holds up worlds. He rules over all the affairs of the universe. Nothing that in any way concerns our peace is too small for Him to notice. There is no chapter in our experience too difficult for Him to unravel.
No calamity can befall the least of His children, no anxiety harass the soul, no joy cheer, no sincere prayer escape the lips, of which our heavenly Father is unobservant, or in which He takes no immediate interest. [He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds] (Ps. 147:3). The relations between God and each soul are as distinct and full as though there were not another soul upon the earth to share His watchcare, not another soul for whom He gave His beloved Son.
Jesus says, [You will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; for the Father Himself loves you] (John 16:26). [I chose you ... that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He may give you] (John 15:16). Our God is a tender, merciful Father. Service to Him should not be looked upon as a sorrowful and distressing event. It should be a pleasure to worship the Lord and take part in His work. God would not have His children, for whom so great salvation has been provided, act as if He were a hard, exacting taskmaster. He is their best Friend. Let us with joy come before our Father, with [thanksgiving and the voice of melody] (Isa. 51:3).
Praise the Lord.!
7. Our Real Father Who Forgave Us Our Iniquity, Transgression, and Sin
[And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, "The Lord, the Lord God merciful and gracious, longsuffering and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity'] (Ex. 34:6, 7).
Scores of centuries ago, the heavenly Father, the King of kings who so loves and pities His children on earth, declared a surprising message which makes us doubt our ears. He granted an amnesty to all the sinners on earth who were doomed to death by transgression, trembling with fear and waiting hopelessly for the day of execution. This message was the best news that had ever been heard by all condemned criminals who were helplessly waiting for the day of execution, living in despair in the bar-less prison of earth. The general amnesty itself was for their lives.
But in spite of the fact that this acquittal has already been declared, which should fill this earth-prison with joyful exclamations and shouts of exultation, it is rather strange and even more surprising to see that no one has even attempted to take off their filthy garments. No one seems to run out of this prison to freely enjoy the already newly endowed life of glory and liberty even though thousands of years have passed now since the amnesty was declared.
Consequently, in the prison of this earth is a perpetuation of the same dark and miserable life amid oppressive silence without any response to the joyful message. What is all this about? What is the reason? The first reason is that most criminals have not heard the message as they themselves claim; and the second reason is that although a few have heard it, they do not understand what it implies. This is why this glorious message of joyful tidings has contributed nothing to anyone in the immense prison of this earth. What a heart-breaking, sorrowful reality it is! Their acquittal has already been declared thousands of years ago and they did not hear it! Even if they heard it, they did not understand it! Oh, what a sad story it is that they have all died in this prison for generations, transferring their prison garments from father to son, and from son to grand son, and from generation to generation! Now, we can fully understand the heart of our heavenly Father who sent the message, [My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge] (Hosea 4:6). Our Father sight, saying, "My children are dying away in this earth-prison without bars because they do not know!"
(1) I Forgive [Iniquity and Transgression and Sin] (Ex. 34:7).
We will now learn what the amnesty (declaration of their acquit¬tal means, and why most of the criminal on earth do not understand it.
[The Lord ... proclaimed, the Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin] (Ex. 34:6, 7). This means, I the Lord, the King of the universe proclaim, I am the Lord: I am merciful, gracious and longsuffering who hates to punish. And so I proclaim to all prisoners under heaven, enjoy your freedom, live happily and freely from now on since I have forgiven your [iniquity and transgression and sin] (Ex. 34:7).
Our merciful Father proclaims that He has forgiven our iniquity and transgression and sin. Then what are the nature of these three sins that confine us so miserably? And what makes us enjoy such complete liberty when we are freed from them? Let us now learn, one by one.
(1) Iniquity: This is what sinful David sighed about when he said, [Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity] ( Ps. 51:5), and this is what we are born with from our mother's womb. We are helpless to change our evil inclinations. This is the source of our evil inclinations which have been so strongly rooted in us throughout six thousand years, and we are helpless to be freed from it. It is an evil trait that a sinner can neither overcome nor change, as God says in the Bible, [can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard it spots? Then may you also do good who are accustomed to do evil] (Jer. 13:23). But the merciful God proclaims that He will change it for us Himself.
(2) Transgression: This is a sin committed, not on purpose, but by a momentary mistake, as a converted soul who longs and strive to live according to the will of God, makes accidental mistakes along the way. As Apostle Paul says,[O wretched man that I am!] [for the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do , that I practice] (Rom. 7:24, 7:19). For instance, it is likened to the guilt of an accidental homicide committed by the mistake of a fine driver.
Our heavenly Father proclaims that He understands all these mistakes and forgives us completely.
(3) Sin: This is the worst evil out of the three, like that which David committed when he killed an innocent man Uriah, under an elaborate plan to take Bathsheba, his wife. But as God forgave the dreadfully sinful David when he returned in heartbreaking repentance, so He also proclaims to us that He has already forgiven all our sins, even the ones we committed intentionally.
[`Come now, let us reason together,' says the Lord, `though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool'] (Isa. 1:18).
[I, even I am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; and I will not remember your sins] (Isa. 43:25).
[I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions, and like a cloud, your sins. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you] (Isa. 44:22).
Now, besides the three evils - that which we were born with, that which we commit by mistake during our lifetime, and that which we commit intentionally with no sense of shame, can you search out any other unpardoned evil in you? Brothers and sisters! Your Father in heaven who has begotten and brought you up with such great love, has been exclaiming for scores of centuries now, earnestly again and again, that He has already forgiven all your sins through the blood of Jesus His Son. [I have redeemed you] (Isa. 44:22). He has been shouting, " I have freed you from the chains of death; therefore, live forever happily in freedom and peace."
[Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy. He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depth of the sea] (Micah 7:18, 19).
[Sing, O heavens, for the Lord has done it! Shout, you lower parts of the earth; break forth into singing, you mountains, O forest, and every tree in it! For the Lord has redeemed] (Isa. 44:23).
[What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us who can be against us? ... Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? ... For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord] (Rom. 8:31-39).
(2) He Will By No Means Clear the Guilty
Our grateful Father has cast our iniquity and transgression and sin into the depths of the sea. Then what does He mean when He says He "will by no means clear the guilty" but visit the iniquity? Perhaps there is some other kind of evil that cannot be forgiven. If so, what are these unpardonable sins and how many are there? Let us take time to find the answer.
Confucius who was once referred to as the Saint of the East, classified all evils committed by men into three thousand categories. Then how many do you think are numbered by our heavenly Father? How many will there be in the sight of the Almighty God? Let us direct our attention to His voice. [My people have com¬mitted two evils: (1) they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and (2) hewn themselves cisterns-broken cisterns that can hold no water] (Jer. 2:13). Therefore, in the sight of our real Father who has removed all our iniquity and transgression and sin, there are found only two evils.
First is that we have forsaken and departed from God, the Source of life; and second is that we have striven to live by ourselves apart from God, the Source of life which implies the same as the first. Consequently, in the sight of God there is only one kind of evil, that is to forsake and depart from our heavenly Father who is the source of eternal life.
The Bible refers to this kind of sinner as one whom God "will by no means clear his guilt but surely visit the iniquity." Then is our God one who kills and has vengeance upon those children on earth who depart from Him? I am sad when I see that many people misunderstand here.
Our heavenly Father is the one who so loved His sinful children on earth that He gave up His only Son for us. He came down with His Son to share His agony of Calvary. His Son who died for the sins of the world. Can this be the wicked God who kills and destroys so mercilessly those children who forsake and depart from Him? No, never. On the contrary, He has greater pity and compassion on them than those children who have returned to Him. He always thinks of them, yearning for them with love and tenderness. So the why does the Bible describe the sinner who commits this sin "unpardonable?" This is well illustrated in the parable of the vine. As the branch dries up under the sun when it is separated from the vine, so do earthly children die away exhausted when they forsake and depart from the Father who is the fountain of living water. Jesus prophesied that the soul-branches who depart from God would dry up and be thrown into the fire in the end, saying, [They gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned] (John 15:6). These are whom God represented as guilty, who cannot be forgiven but their iniquity will surely be visited.
Concerning this unpardonable evil, Matthew, one of the disciples, testifies that it is [the blasphemy against the Spirit and it [will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come] (Matt. 12:31, 32). This testimony is true and right. Only in the hands of our Father are the living water of the Holy Spirit and precious blood of Jesus found. And so our heavenly Father is running after His sinful children of Earth holding this living water of the Holy Spirit in one hand and the precious blood of His Son Jesus on the other hand, but these foolish children run away all the more quickly. How can they find a drop of sin-cleansing blood that can wash them clean, or the living water of the Holy Spirit which can quench their thirst, either in this world or in the world to come, if they keep running away from the Father who is the only One possessing the living water and cleansing blood? Wandering around endlessly in the vast desert, they fall exhausted and die, all dried up and parched. Therefore,[the blasphemy against the Spirit ...] that [will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come] (Matt. 12:32), does not mean that our Father of infinite love and mercy does not forgive, but that He cannot forgive.
Before the love of our Father greater and broader than the universe, and before the sea of the precious blood of Jesus our Brother surging with greater majesty that the Pacific Ocean, can there be found any sin too great to be washed? No, not one. If there is any, it is solely because he himself chooses to run away from the tender care of the Father and from the precious blood of Jesus. And so, without pardon he only perishes in his sins. This is the natural consequence of his own deed, as one must reap the harvest of his own sowing. For He [will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity] (Ex. 34:7).
What is the Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit? (Matt. 12:31, 32)
Since we are on the subject , let us find out more about the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit before we close this chapter.
Jesus told us, [It is the Spirit ( the Holy Spirit) who gives life ... the words ( the Bible ) that I speak to you are spirit (the Holy Spirit)] (John 6:63), and [the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart] (Heb. 4:12). This is the Holy Spirit. He also adds, [You are gods ... to whom the word of God came, (and the Scripture cannot be broken)] (John 10:43, 35).
Moses was a man just like us, but he became a god (Ex. 4:16, 7:1) because he received the word that came out of the mouth of God (the Spirit of God).
The Holy Spirit is the Author of the entire 66 books of the Bible. He abides in the Bible and the words of the Bible themselves are the Holy Spirit. Therefore blaspheming against the Spirit means to defy and reject the word of God in the Bible. This is the dreadful sin of [blasphemy against the Spirit] that [will not be forgiven either in this age, or in the age to come] (Matt. 12:31, 32).
We know quite well the reason why King Saul, the greatly favored of God and leader of His people, was forsaken. he perished by a horrible death because of no other sin (Iniquity, transgression or sin) but the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, that is, disobedience to the word of God (the Bible).
[But Samuel said to Saul ... `For you have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel'] (1 Sam. 15:26).
Jesus said, [Therefore whoever hears these saying of Mine (the Bible) and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock, and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. Now everyone who hears these saying of Mine (the Bible ) and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand; and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on the house, and it fell. And great was its fall] (Matt. 7:24-27). [For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things (the words of the Bible), God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book,] [He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches] (Rev. 22:18, 19, 2:7).
The words of the Bible that proceeds from the mouth of God the Father, and of the Son, and of the Spirit are [Spirit and life] - the everlasting life (John 6:63). Jesus also says, [You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life] (John 5:39). [Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God] (Matt. 4:4).
Therefore, the [two evils] that [they have forsaken Me] and hewn themselves Cisterns] (Jer. 2:13) are, to abandon the Bible, or disobey it although they have it. In the Bible abide God the Father, Jesus the Savior, and the Holy Spirit - the living water for perishing souls. In the Bible are found the guarantee of forgiveness, the cleansing blood, the heavenly kingdom, eternal life, the living water, and the fruit of life. All these promises and rewards are granted not to those who listen and obey only one or two phrases or some parts of the Bible, but to those who obey [every word] (Matt. 4:4) of God from both the Old and New Testaments.
Dear brothers and sisters! Your real Father in heaven who has forgiven the tremendous evils of your life - your iniquity, transgression and sin - asks you for only one thing in turn, to obey and follow the Bible; for it is the earnest desire of He who so loves us, to give us eternal life and every reward that is promised in the Bible.
[My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commandments] (Pro 3:1). [Do not add to His words, lest He reprove you, and you be found a liar] (Pro. 30:6). [You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take anything from it] (Deut. 4:2).
[To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them] (Isa. 8:20).
[Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry] (1 Sam. 15:22, 23).
[My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; For length of days and long life and peace they will add to you. Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart] (Pro. 3:1-3).
Scores of centuries ago, the heavenly Father, the King of kings who so loves and pities His children on earth, declared a surprising message which makes us doubt our ears. He granted an amnesty to all the sinners on earth who were doomed to death by transgression, trembling with fear and waiting hopelessly for the day of execution. This message was the best news that had ever been heard by all condemned criminals who were helplessly waiting for the day of execution, living in despair in the bar-less prison of earth. The general amnesty itself was for their lives.
But in spite of the fact that this acquittal has already been declared, which should fill this earth-prison with joyful exclamations and shouts of exultation, it is rather strange and even more surprising to see that no one has even attempted to take off their filthy garments. No one seems to run out of this prison to freely enjoy the already newly endowed life of glory and liberty even though thousands of years have passed now since the amnesty was declared.
Consequently, in the prison of this earth is a perpetuation of the same dark and miserable life amid oppressive silence without any response to the joyful message. What is all this about? What is the reason? The first reason is that most criminals have not heard the message as they themselves claim; and the second reason is that although a few have heard it, they do not understand what it implies. This is why this glorious message of joyful tidings has contributed nothing to anyone in the immense prison of this earth. What a heart-breaking, sorrowful reality it is! Their acquittal has already been declared thousands of years ago and they did not hear it! Even if they heard it, they did not understand it! Oh, what a sad story it is that they have all died in this prison for generations, transferring their prison garments from father to son, and from son to grand son, and from generation to generation! Now, we can fully understand the heart of our heavenly Father who sent the message, [My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge] (Hosea 4:6). Our Father sight, saying, "My children are dying away in this earth-prison without bars because they do not know!"
(1) I Forgive [Iniquity and Transgression and Sin] (Ex. 34:7).
We will now learn what the amnesty (declaration of their acquit¬tal means, and why most of the criminal on earth do not understand it.
[The Lord ... proclaimed, the Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin] (Ex. 34:6, 7). This means, I the Lord, the King of the universe proclaim, I am the Lord: I am merciful, gracious and longsuffering who hates to punish. And so I proclaim to all prisoners under heaven, enjoy your freedom, live happily and freely from now on since I have forgiven your [iniquity and transgression and sin] (Ex. 34:7).
Our merciful Father proclaims that He has forgiven our iniquity and transgression and sin. Then what are the nature of these three sins that confine us so miserably? And what makes us enjoy such complete liberty when we are freed from them? Let us now learn, one by one.
(1) Iniquity: This is what sinful David sighed about when he said, [Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity] ( Ps. 51:5), and this is what we are born with from our mother's womb. We are helpless to change our evil inclinations. This is the source of our evil inclinations which have been so strongly rooted in us throughout six thousand years, and we are helpless to be freed from it. It is an evil trait that a sinner can neither overcome nor change, as God says in the Bible, [can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard it spots? Then may you also do good who are accustomed to do evil] (Jer. 13:23). But the merciful God proclaims that He will change it for us Himself.
(2) Transgression: This is a sin committed, not on purpose, but by a momentary mistake, as a converted soul who longs and strive to live according to the will of God, makes accidental mistakes along the way. As Apostle Paul says,[O wretched man that I am!] [for the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do , that I practice] (Rom. 7:24, 7:19). For instance, it is likened to the guilt of an accidental homicide committed by the mistake of a fine driver.
Our heavenly Father proclaims that He understands all these mistakes and forgives us completely.
(3) Sin: This is the worst evil out of the three, like that which David committed when he killed an innocent man Uriah, under an elaborate plan to take Bathsheba, his wife. But as God forgave the dreadfully sinful David when he returned in heartbreaking repentance, so He also proclaims to us that He has already forgiven all our sins, even the ones we committed intentionally.
[`Come now, let us reason together,' says the Lord, `though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool'] (Isa. 1:18).
[I, even I am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; and I will not remember your sins] (Isa. 43:25).
[I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions, and like a cloud, your sins. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you] (Isa. 44:22).
Now, besides the three evils - that which we were born with, that which we commit by mistake during our lifetime, and that which we commit intentionally with no sense of shame, can you search out any other unpardoned evil in you? Brothers and sisters! Your Father in heaven who has begotten and brought you up with such great love, has been exclaiming for scores of centuries now, earnestly again and again, that He has already forgiven all your sins through the blood of Jesus His Son. [I have redeemed you] (Isa. 44:22). He has been shouting, " I have freed you from the chains of death; therefore, live forever happily in freedom and peace."
[Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy. He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depth of the sea] (Micah 7:18, 19).
[Sing, O heavens, for the Lord has done it! Shout, you lower parts of the earth; break forth into singing, you mountains, O forest, and every tree in it! For the Lord has redeemed] (Isa. 44:23).
[What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us who can be against us? ... Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? ... For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord] (Rom. 8:31-39).
(2) He Will By No Means Clear the Guilty
Our grateful Father has cast our iniquity and transgression and sin into the depths of the sea. Then what does He mean when He says He "will by no means clear the guilty" but visit the iniquity? Perhaps there is some other kind of evil that cannot be forgiven. If so, what are these unpardonable sins and how many are there? Let us take time to find the answer.
Confucius who was once referred to as the Saint of the East, classified all evils committed by men into three thousand categories. Then how many do you think are numbered by our heavenly Father? How many will there be in the sight of the Almighty God? Let us direct our attention to His voice. [My people have com¬mitted two evils: (1) they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and (2) hewn themselves cisterns-broken cisterns that can hold no water] (Jer. 2:13). Therefore, in the sight of our real Father who has removed all our iniquity and transgression and sin, there are found only two evils.
First is that we have forsaken and departed from God, the Source of life; and second is that we have striven to live by ourselves apart from God, the Source of life which implies the same as the first. Consequently, in the sight of God there is only one kind of evil, that is to forsake and depart from our heavenly Father who is the source of eternal life.
The Bible refers to this kind of sinner as one whom God "will by no means clear his guilt but surely visit the iniquity." Then is our God one who kills and has vengeance upon those children on earth who depart from Him? I am sad when I see that many people misunderstand here.
Our heavenly Father is the one who so loved His sinful children on earth that He gave up His only Son for us. He came down with His Son to share His agony of Calvary. His Son who died for the sins of the world. Can this be the wicked God who kills and destroys so mercilessly those children who forsake and depart from Him? No, never. On the contrary, He has greater pity and compassion on them than those children who have returned to Him. He always thinks of them, yearning for them with love and tenderness. So the why does the Bible describe the sinner who commits this sin "unpardonable?" This is well illustrated in the parable of the vine. As the branch dries up under the sun when it is separated from the vine, so do earthly children die away exhausted when they forsake and depart from the Father who is the fountain of living water. Jesus prophesied that the soul-branches who depart from God would dry up and be thrown into the fire in the end, saying, [They gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned] (John 15:6). These are whom God represented as guilty, who cannot be forgiven but their iniquity will surely be visited.
Concerning this unpardonable evil, Matthew, one of the disciples, testifies that it is [the blasphemy against the Spirit and it [will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come] (Matt. 12:31, 32). This testimony is true and right. Only in the hands of our Father are the living water of the Holy Spirit and precious blood of Jesus found. And so our heavenly Father is running after His sinful children of Earth holding this living water of the Holy Spirit in one hand and the precious blood of His Son Jesus on the other hand, but these foolish children run away all the more quickly. How can they find a drop of sin-cleansing blood that can wash them clean, or the living water of the Holy Spirit which can quench their thirst, either in this world or in the world to come, if they keep running away from the Father who is the only One possessing the living water and cleansing blood? Wandering around endlessly in the vast desert, they fall exhausted and die, all dried up and parched. Therefore,[the blasphemy against the Spirit ...] that [will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come] (Matt. 12:32), does not mean that our Father of infinite love and mercy does not forgive, but that He cannot forgive.
Before the love of our Father greater and broader than the universe, and before the sea of the precious blood of Jesus our Brother surging with greater majesty that the Pacific Ocean, can there be found any sin too great to be washed? No, not one. If there is any, it is solely because he himself chooses to run away from the tender care of the Father and from the precious blood of Jesus. And so, without pardon he only perishes in his sins. This is the natural consequence of his own deed, as one must reap the harvest of his own sowing. For He [will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity] (Ex. 34:7).
What is the Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit? (Matt. 12:31, 32)
Since we are on the subject , let us find out more about the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit before we close this chapter.
Jesus told us, [It is the Spirit ( the Holy Spirit) who gives life ... the words ( the Bible ) that I speak to you are spirit (the Holy Spirit)] (John 6:63), and [the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart] (Heb. 4:12). This is the Holy Spirit. He also adds, [You are gods ... to whom the word of God came, (and the Scripture cannot be broken)] (John 10:43, 35).
Moses was a man just like us, but he became a god (Ex. 4:16, 7:1) because he received the word that came out of the mouth of God (the Spirit of God).
The Holy Spirit is the Author of the entire 66 books of the Bible. He abides in the Bible and the words of the Bible themselves are the Holy Spirit. Therefore blaspheming against the Spirit means to defy and reject the word of God in the Bible. This is the dreadful sin of [blasphemy against the Spirit] that [will not be forgiven either in this age, or in the age to come] (Matt. 12:31, 32).
We know quite well the reason why King Saul, the greatly favored of God and leader of His people, was forsaken. he perished by a horrible death because of no other sin (Iniquity, transgression or sin) but the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, that is, disobedience to the word of God (the Bible).
[But Samuel said to Saul ... `For you have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel'] (1 Sam. 15:26).
Jesus said, [Therefore whoever hears these saying of Mine (the Bible) and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock, and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. Now everyone who hears these saying of Mine (the Bible ) and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand; and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on the house, and it fell. And great was its fall] (Matt. 7:24-27). [For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things (the words of the Bible), God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book,] [He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches] (Rev. 22:18, 19, 2:7).
The words of the Bible that proceeds from the mouth of God the Father, and of the Son, and of the Spirit are [Spirit and life] - the everlasting life (John 6:63). Jesus also says, [You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life] (John 5:39). [Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God] (Matt. 4:4).
Therefore, the [two evils] that [they have forsaken Me] and hewn themselves Cisterns] (Jer. 2:13) are, to abandon the Bible, or disobey it although they have it. In the Bible abide God the Father, Jesus the Savior, and the Holy Spirit - the living water for perishing souls. In the Bible are found the guarantee of forgiveness, the cleansing blood, the heavenly kingdom, eternal life, the living water, and the fruit of life. All these promises and rewards are granted not to those who listen and obey only one or two phrases or some parts of the Bible, but to those who obey [every word] (Matt. 4:4) of God from both the Old and New Testaments.
Dear brothers and sisters! Your real Father in heaven who has forgiven the tremendous evils of your life - your iniquity, transgression and sin - asks you for only one thing in turn, to obey and follow the Bible; for it is the earnest desire of He who so loves us, to give us eternal life and every reward that is promised in the Bible.
[My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commandments] (Pro 3:1). [Do not add to His words, lest He reprove you, and you be found a liar] (Pro. 30:6). [You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take anything from it] (Deut. 4:2).
[To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them] (Isa. 8:20).
[Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry] (1 Sam. 15:22, 23).
[My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; For length of days and long life and peace they will add to you. Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart] (Pro. 3:1-3).
8. Our Real Father Who Personally Heals All Our Diseases
There are innumerable children of God on earth, over five billion in number today. But we see there are only a few among all of them who know and genuinely appreciate the heavenly Father's love and grace. For example, many of His children get sick and groan every day while others get well daily. There are of course some who die of old age, but there are none among the healed who have not received the touch of our Father's curing hands.
Among the variety of medicines that doctors or physicians prescribe, not a single drug is made of ingredients that are not given by God. Their hands and minds, and even the knives held in their hands, are all given freely by the God of heaven.
[God who made the world and everything in it ...He gives to all men life, breath, and everything] (Acts 17:24, 25), hands and feet, and wisdom in heart. He says to us, [Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me. Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding] (Job. 38:3, 4). [Who has put wisdom in the mind? Or who has given understanding to the heart?] (Job 38:36). [And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you glory as if you had not received it?] (1 Cor. 4:7).
[Thus says the Lord: `Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising loving kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight, says the Lord] (Jer. 9:23, 24).
If a doctor in a hospital performs a surgical operation on his patient with all his knowledge and skill, putting stitches in the wounds and applying remedies on them, afterwards there is nothing more he can do for the patient. This is the limit of the human doctor. From then on, God's hand does all the work. He heals up fractured bones and makes them strong, binds up bleeding wounds so perfectly that not a drop of water can soak into the healed skin, relieves sharp pains and restores the skin as perfectly as it was before. This is the everyday work of the heavenly Physician.
And some of the cured patients give thanks and praise to Jesus and the Holy Spirit for such an abundant grace, but there are few who give sincere thanks to the Father. Of course, Jesus and the Holy Spirit heal our diseases too, but I would, in this chapter, like to highly praise the healing power of God, the Father. Most people with one accord speak much about the power of Jesus that healed all the sick on earth two thousand years ago. And yet in the Bible, the [two witnesses] [who stand beside the Lord of the whole earth] (Rev. 11:3, Zech. 4:14), testify that most of the power to heal the sick and raise the dead performed by Jesus actually was the power of the Father and His healing hands.
It is written, [Is any among you sick? Let him pray] (James 5:14). [As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him] (Ps. 103:13).
[Miracles, wonders, and signs ... God did through Him (Jesus) in your midst, as you yourselves also know] (Acts 2:22). With power of God, He (Jesus) [went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him] (Acts 10:38). [Now Jesus went about all Galilee ... healing... all kind of disease among the people ... And they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics, and He healed them] (Matt. 4:23, 24). And Jesus said, [When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know ... that I do nothing of Myself; but ... My Father] (John 8:28).
[I am in the Father, and the Father in Me the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me; or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves] - Healing the sick and the mighty works and wonders. [I can of Myself do nothing] (John 14:10, 11, 5:30). "The mighty works that I did in healing the sick, raising the dead, and calming the sea were not what I a man Jesus did, but the Father." Yes, as He had been a true God before He came to this earth, so was He a true human, Jesus of Nazareth, a son of carpenter. Therefor the human Jesus did not raise up the dead, remove the maladies that were afflicting His children, and rebuke and calm the sea. The mighty works and power that flowed out from Jesus were performed by the power of the Almighty God, the Father who was in Him: God Himself did all the works through His Son. That is why Jesus said, [Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself] (John 5:19). [My Father has been working until now, and I have been working] (John 5:17). [He is kind to the unthankful and evil] (Luke 6:35).
Truly it was God the Father who came in the form of a man, Jesus of Nazareth, two thousand years ago; who laid hands on the poor, pitiful children, rejected, forsaken and left comfortless. He healed them all, especially visiting the needy from village to village, from city to city, and from town to town.
Oh, what an amazing love of the Father for the world! So unbelievably wonderful is the love that caused Him, the Majesty of heaven, the King of the universe, to come down to this cursed ground, to visit every poor home, to lay His hands on His afflicted children and heal them. How sad it is that the world does not know, that it is a hidden mystery even today.
The Bible shows that the disciples had been taught by Jesus about the Father's healing of love for His children, and upon witnessing all the healings the Father performed through His Son, they prayed after His ascension, not to Jesus or the Spirit, but to the Father, asking for His grace and aid in healing the sick.
[They raised their voices together in prayer to God, `Sovereign Lord... stretch out Your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.'] (Acts 4:24, 30 NIV). And the God of infinite love answered their prayer. [And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit] (Acts 4:31), and went about to heal all the sick. Once on the way to the temple, Peter and John saw [a man lame from his mother's womb] (Acts 3:2) and healed him. [And all the people were ... filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him] (Acts 3:9,10). And seeing them glorify the disciples and not God, Peter exclaimed, [Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers] by healing this man in the name of Jesus,[glorified His Servant Jesus] (Acts 3:12, 13).
Truly our real Father in heaven healed us Himself two thousand years ago through His Son and through the disciples. He is also healing us today, in the hospitals and in our homes. [But they did not know that I healed them] (Hosea 11:3).
How many among all the children of God in this world are there who appreciate and praise Him for His grace and love, for curing and delivering them from their painful diseases, and for being constantly concerned and caring for them. Surprisingly, there are very few. How sad the angels must be at the sight! There are many among the healed who feel grateful to Jesus. But it seems that there are almost none who give sincere thanks to the Father who in reality deserves to receive the greater gratitude from His children. How lonely and deserted He must feel when He sees no response of love or thanks from us! But without the slightest look of complaint or displeasure, He still lays His healing hands of love upon you and me even today, caring for us with steadfast love and tenderness. He continues to say to us, [I am the Lord who heals you] (Ex. 15:26).
Dear brothers and sisters! Although it is late let us now give thanks to our heavenly Father.
[Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God] (Ps. 147:1-3). [Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits ... who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's] (Ps. 103:2-5). [Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Oh give thanks to the God of heaven! For His mercy endures forever] (Ps. 136:1, 26). He is our real Father who personally heals all our diseases.
Praise the Lord!
Among the variety of medicines that doctors or physicians prescribe, not a single drug is made of ingredients that are not given by God. Their hands and minds, and even the knives held in their hands, are all given freely by the God of heaven.
[God who made the world and everything in it ...He gives to all men life, breath, and everything] (Acts 17:24, 25), hands and feet, and wisdom in heart. He says to us, [Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me. Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding] (Job. 38:3, 4). [Who has put wisdom in the mind? Or who has given understanding to the heart?] (Job 38:36). [And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you glory as if you had not received it?] (1 Cor. 4:7).
[Thus says the Lord: `Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising loving kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight, says the Lord] (Jer. 9:23, 24).
If a doctor in a hospital performs a surgical operation on his patient with all his knowledge and skill, putting stitches in the wounds and applying remedies on them, afterwards there is nothing more he can do for the patient. This is the limit of the human doctor. From then on, God's hand does all the work. He heals up fractured bones and makes them strong, binds up bleeding wounds so perfectly that not a drop of water can soak into the healed skin, relieves sharp pains and restores the skin as perfectly as it was before. This is the everyday work of the heavenly Physician.
And some of the cured patients give thanks and praise to Jesus and the Holy Spirit for such an abundant grace, but there are few who give sincere thanks to the Father. Of course, Jesus and the Holy Spirit heal our diseases too, but I would, in this chapter, like to highly praise the healing power of God, the Father. Most people with one accord speak much about the power of Jesus that healed all the sick on earth two thousand years ago. And yet in the Bible, the [two witnesses] [who stand beside the Lord of the whole earth] (Rev. 11:3, Zech. 4:14), testify that most of the power to heal the sick and raise the dead performed by Jesus actually was the power of the Father and His healing hands.
It is written, [Is any among you sick? Let him pray] (James 5:14). [As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him] (Ps. 103:13).
[Miracles, wonders, and signs ... God did through Him (Jesus) in your midst, as you yourselves also know] (Acts 2:22). With power of God, He (Jesus) [went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him] (Acts 10:38). [Now Jesus went about all Galilee ... healing... all kind of disease among the people ... And they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics, and He healed them] (Matt. 4:23, 24). And Jesus said, [When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know ... that I do nothing of Myself; but ... My Father] (John 8:28).
[I am in the Father, and the Father in Me the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me; or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves] - Healing the sick and the mighty works and wonders. [I can of Myself do nothing] (John 14:10, 11, 5:30). "The mighty works that I did in healing the sick, raising the dead, and calming the sea were not what I a man Jesus did, but the Father." Yes, as He had been a true God before He came to this earth, so was He a true human, Jesus of Nazareth, a son of carpenter. Therefor the human Jesus did not raise up the dead, remove the maladies that were afflicting His children, and rebuke and calm the sea. The mighty works and power that flowed out from Jesus were performed by the power of the Almighty God, the Father who was in Him: God Himself did all the works through His Son. That is why Jesus said, [Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself] (John 5:19). [My Father has been working until now, and I have been working] (John 5:17). [He is kind to the unthankful and evil] (Luke 6:35).
Truly it was God the Father who came in the form of a man, Jesus of Nazareth, two thousand years ago; who laid hands on the poor, pitiful children, rejected, forsaken and left comfortless. He healed them all, especially visiting the needy from village to village, from city to city, and from town to town.
Oh, what an amazing love of the Father for the world! So unbelievably wonderful is the love that caused Him, the Majesty of heaven, the King of the universe, to come down to this cursed ground, to visit every poor home, to lay His hands on His afflicted children and heal them. How sad it is that the world does not know, that it is a hidden mystery even today.
The Bible shows that the disciples had been taught by Jesus about the Father's healing of love for His children, and upon witnessing all the healings the Father performed through His Son, they prayed after His ascension, not to Jesus or the Spirit, but to the Father, asking for His grace and aid in healing the sick.
[They raised their voices together in prayer to God, `Sovereign Lord... stretch out Your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.'] (Acts 4:24, 30 NIV). And the God of infinite love answered their prayer. [And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit] (Acts 4:31), and went about to heal all the sick. Once on the way to the temple, Peter and John saw [a man lame from his mother's womb] (Acts 3:2) and healed him. [And all the people were ... filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him] (Acts 3:9,10). And seeing them glorify the disciples and not God, Peter exclaimed, [Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers] by healing this man in the name of Jesus,[glorified His Servant Jesus] (Acts 3:12, 13).
Truly our real Father in heaven healed us Himself two thousand years ago through His Son and through the disciples. He is also healing us today, in the hospitals and in our homes. [But they did not know that I healed them] (Hosea 11:3).
How many among all the children of God in this world are there who appreciate and praise Him for His grace and love, for curing and delivering them from their painful diseases, and for being constantly concerned and caring for them. Surprisingly, there are very few. How sad the angels must be at the sight! There are many among the healed who feel grateful to Jesus. But it seems that there are almost none who give sincere thanks to the Father who in reality deserves to receive the greater gratitude from His children. How lonely and deserted He must feel when He sees no response of love or thanks from us! But without the slightest look of complaint or displeasure, He still lays His healing hands of love upon you and me even today, caring for us with steadfast love and tenderness. He continues to say to us, [I am the Lord who heals you] (Ex. 15:26).
Dear brothers and sisters! Although it is late let us now give thanks to our heavenly Father.
[Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God] (Ps. 147:1-3). [Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits ... who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's] (Ps. 103:2-5). [Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Oh give thanks to the God of heaven! For His mercy endures forever] (Ps. 136:1, 26). He is our real Father who personally heals all our diseases.
Praise the Lord!
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