Recently I heard a preacher say
that we don't have all the answers. While I understand the point
he was trying to make, as I listened to what he said, the thought
came to my mind that in reality we do have the one and only answer
to all of life's questions. Our biggest difficulty is that
we just don't always know how to ask the right question. If
there really is nothing new under the sun, then it follows that
he who formed the sun must indeed be the answer to all questions,
since his ways are past finding out and his thoughts are above
ours, as far as the heavens are above the earth. Who is the Lord
Jesus Christ? He is indeed the creator of all
things, who said, I form the light and create darkness. I
make peace and create evil. Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive
glory and honor and power, for thou hast created all things,
and for thy pleasure they are and were created. Everything
which is in the earth, under the earth, or above it, exists
according to the good pleasure of him whose purpose shall not
fail to be accomplished. For by him were all things created
that are in heaven, that are in earth, visible and invisible,
whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers.
All things were created by him and for him, and he is before
all things, and by him all things consist. The most wicked of devils,
the lowest and highest of men, as well as the holiest of angels,
were created by him and presently exist for his glory. Where does
the Lord Jesus Christ dwell? He said, I dwell in the high
and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble
spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the
heart of the contrite ones. In the first part of that verse
we read, for thus saith the high and lofty one that inhabiteth
eternity, whose name is holy. The wonder and amazement of these
two contrasts is astonishing. He is eternal and alone inhabits
eternity, yet it pleases him to dwell with those among the
sons of men to whom he gives a contrite and humble spirit.
When I consider the heavens, the work of thy fingers, the
moon, the stars, which thou hast ordained, what is man that thou
art mindful of him, and the son of man that thou visitest him?
Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him. He hath put him to grief.
When thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall
see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of
the Lord shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail
of his soul and shall be satisfied. By his knowledge shall my righteous
servant justify many, for he shall bear their iniquities. What has the Lord Jesus Christ
done? Those who deny the particular and definite atonement of Christ
for His elect picture His death as a mere pretext for salvation,
with the efficacy of it left up to the free will of men to
either receive it or reject it and thereby make it effectual.
This is blasphemous rhetoric and denigrates the work of Him
who has obtained eternal redemption for each and every one for whom
He stood as a substitute. The atonement of Christ is effectual
because he died for his elect. If Christ purchased their salvation
with his blood, how is it not complete? Who is the Lord Jesus
Christ? The declaration of the gospel
is that Christ is the Savior of sinners. He says of himself,
I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. He has obtained
the salvation of his people and will lose none of those which
are given to him by the fault. He is mighty in his works and
ways and can in no wise fail to accomplish his own purpose.
The Scriptures nowhere describe him as one who is trying to save
sinners, or hopes to save sinners. Rather, they plainly declare
that he came to seek and to save that which was lost. He does
not fail in the task which he came to perform. He is mighty
to save, not merely available. The salvation which the Lord
Jesus Christ has purchased for his people is not merely a pie
in the sky by and by, but he is the deliverer of his people
from the darkness of the present age. God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble. Peace I leave with you, my peace
I give unto you. This is the result of his salvation,
purchased and applied to his elect children when and as he
sees fit. All that the Father giveth me
shall come to me, and him that cometh to me I will in no wise
cast out. For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but
righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. And the work
of righteousness shall be peace, and the effect of righteousness
quietness and assurance forever. Paul said that if the dead be
not raised, we have no hope. While we rejoice in the present
blessing of the Lord in this age, this is but a foretaste
of the joys that await the children of God in the ages to come. There
is no question which can be asked about the salvation of men, which
does not have its answer in the Lord Jesus Christ. But of him
are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God has made unto us wisdom and
righteousness and sanctification and redemption, that according
as it is written, he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. If
you would like a free transcript of this broadcast, email us at
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