Thy mercy, my God, is the theme
of my song. We have often heard men say that
the God of the Old Testament is a God of wrath, while the
God of the New Testament is a God of love and forgiveness. The
prevailing thought is that God is somehow mellowed out and is
not quite so exacting in the present day as He was in the
days of old. This is a complete error, since
God reveals Himself as immutable or unchangeable, and is the same
yesterday, today, and forever. For I am the Lord, I change not.
Therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. The very reason
that he does not consume his chosen people right along with
those he has appointed to destruction is that he changes not. This
is the only basis upon which the elect might have the hope
of salvation. He is indeed a consuming fire,
and the fact that he will not alter the thing which has gone
out of his mouth is the very foundation of the hope of those
who have been given faith to believe his word. The religion
of the flesh and free will is built upon the notion that God
makes salvation available to everyone. All they have to do
is bring their faith and complete the transaction, which he anxiously
waits for them to do. The fly in the ointment with
this scenario is that by nature man is dead in trespasses and
sins, will not seek the Lord, nor will he come when he is called.
The scripture indicates that the love of God is demonstrated
by the particular and peculiar nature of it when it says, Jacob
have I loved, but Esau have I hated. He has not only set his particular
love upon a people which he chose in Christ before the foundation
of the world, but he has determined to save them from their sins
and deliver them from the destruction which they richly deserve. The
sons of God have never been the objects of his wrath, even though
they are as guilty and worthy of condemnation as any of the
rest of Adam's offspring. They have been appointed as the
heirs of salvation, just as much so as the reprobate have been
ordained unto destruction. Those who are the objects of
His mercy are brought to confess that they are worthy of destruction.
They know that in themselves dwelleth no good thing, and the
only reason that they do not perish with the rest of the world
is simply because of the goodness, grace, and mercy of Him who changes
not. They could have no confidence
at all in His mercy if He was not so. Wherefore, we receiving
a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we
may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For
our God is a consuming fire. He does consume the accusers
of his people. Christ Jesus has silenced the
law. To declare, I say, at this time
his righteousness, that he might be just and the justifier of
him which believeth in Jesus. There is therefore now no condemnation
to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh,
but after the spirit. Christ Jesus has bound Satan
and hears not his accusations, having been tempted in all points
by him. Yet he did triumph over him. Though he has loosed him
for a season, that he might use him for his own purpose, yet
he is as a toothless lion, who merely roars and can devour none
of those for whom Christ has been made surety. For as much
then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself
likewise took part of the same. that through death he might destroy
him that had the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver
them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject
to bondage. Christ Jesus does give the guilty
conscience rest. How much more shall the blood
of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without
spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the
living God? For if our heart condemn us,
God is greater than our heart. He does consume the sin and guilt
of His people. Christ came not simply to pay
the sin debt of His people, which He did absolutely by His death
on Calvary's cross, but He was made sin for them. Their sin
became His, and His righteousness became theirs by imputation.
As he became sin, so were they made righteous. They are justified,
priests and kings, heirs and joint-heirs with Christ. He consumes
the enemies of his people. I have trodden the winepress
alone, and of the people there was none with me. For I will
tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury. and
their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will
stain all my raiment. For the day of vengeance is in
mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. All of the
enemies of God's people are the enemies of God. He has made a
show of them openly, for he must reign till he hath put all enemies
under his feet. The last enemy that shall be
destroyed is death. O death, where is thy sting?
O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin, the
strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God which giveth
us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ, a consuming fire
indeed. If you would like a free transcript
of this broadcast, email us at forthepoor at windstream.net.