Welcome, friends, to another
broadcast of Morsels for Zion's Poor. The work of faith is performed
in the sons of God in order that Christ might be glorified. And
it is this work of salvation which manifests the Lord's purpose
in the redemption of those for whom He died. For we are His
workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which
God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Thus
these same sons are brought along a pathway which is marked out
by the Lord, and culminates in their glorification and the gift
of an inheritance with Christ forever, that in the ages to
come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness
toward us through Christ Jesus. In their passage through this
world of sin and sorrow, the Lord will demonstrate that He
does indeed put a difference between His sons and the children
of wrath. They are a holy people unto the
Lord. They are a peculiar people, in that He works in them both
the will and to do of His good pleasure, quite in contrast to
the men of this world who are left to pursue their own way,
unto that very end manifesting their appointment unto destruction.
For who maketh thee to differ from another? And what hast thou
that thou didst not receive? Now if thou didst receive it,
why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? The evidence
of this work in the sons of God is seen as they are embroiled
in a life and death struggle with their sinful flesh, which,
according to that new nature which He has given them, does
ever strive against that flesh which once had free reign over
them. Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.
Old things are passed away. Behold, all things are become
new. For the flesh lusteth against the spirit, and the spirit against
the flesh. And these are contrary the one to the other, so that
ye cannot do the things that ye would. So because of this
continuing conflict, which often leaves the sons of God discouraged
and mindful of their great weakness, the Lord does bring great encouragement
to them by the recognition of the mutual faith, which is shared
by those in whom he is pleased to work, and causes them to have
fellowship with one another. Thus we read in Paul's letter
to the Colossians his great joy in considering the steadfastness
of their faith in Christ. The term steadfast means to stand
one's ground, to be resolute or unmovable. The faith of God's
elect is Christ. not Christ plus something, nor
anything less than Christ. He is the rock of their salvation
who cannot be moved. Thus, when Paul speaks of the
steadfastness of their faith, he is primarily considering the
object of their faith. It is impossible to have steadfast
faith if the basis upon which that faith rests is not steadfast. Having established this foundation,
he then considers the faithful work of the Holy Ghost in keeping
them from falling, which men left to themselves will surely
do. The saints of God are encouraged and built up in the faith by
mutual and shared belief in Christ and Him crucified of each one. As we see brethren faithfully
following on to know the Lord, and walking in obedience to His
precepts, we cannot help but be strengthened and reminded
of the goodness of the Lord, to lead His sheep in and out
to find pasture. We sometimes doubt our own standing
in the Lord, yet we are encouraged by the work of the Lord in our
brethren, whom He has given us great esteem for. This is why
regular assembling of ourselves together is of such vital need.
Over the course of his life, Paul saw many walk away from
the faith which they once professed. This is why he often warned those
to whom he wrote to watch and pray, to be diligent in that
which the Lord called them. This is why he warned the Ephesian
elders with tears to beware of wolves in sheep's clothing. There
are multitudes of avenues down which false professors may be
turned aside, but there is only one path wherein the day star
shines and the truth is manifest. So when the Lord is pleased to
enable us to behold the steadfastness of the faith of His elect, we
cannot help but be inspired to fight the good fight and lay
hold upon eternal life. As we see faithful brethren,
we are encouraged and made to rejoice in the Lord, whose faithfulness
is new every morning. The steadfastness of the faith
of the brethren whom we observe serves to remind us that it is
not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according
to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration and
renewing of the Holy Ghost. But ye are come unto Mount Zion,
to the General Assembly and Church of the Firstborn, which are written
in heaven, and to Jesus, the Mediator of the New Covenant,
and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things than
that of Abel. Have you come unto Him? For a
free CD containing 15 of these radio broadcasts, send an email
to forthepoor at windstream.net.