Welcome, friends, to another
broadcast of Morsels for Zion's Poor. the Lord has a familial
relationship with those he thus describes as his brethren. We
read that both he that sanctifieth and they that are sanctified
are all of one, for which cause he is not ashamed to call them
brethren, saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren in
the midst of the church while I sing praise unto thee. And
again I will put my trust in him, and again behold I and the
children which God hath given me. To put it mildly, we speak
of a union which the sons of God have with Him from before
the foundation of the world. This is a mystery which is quite
beyond the grasp of men to fully realize or describe. It is a
relationship which is the basis of His choice of them in the
electing grace which is described by Paul in this fashion. according
as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world,
that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having
predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to
Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the
praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted
in the Beloved. Those who are the brethren of
the Lord are given the distinct privilege of hearing the gospel
of the glory of the blessed God. Many men perish without this
grace, and none who receive it can boast, for the Lord alone
gives men ears to hear and eyes to see the glories of Christ
revealed therein. They are unable to see Him as
the Redeemer of sinners, and to find a place of great comfort
and help in that redemption which He has procured. In fact, they
cannot even know themselves to be the brethren of Christ until
such time as He is pleased to give them the gift of faith.
They will then believe in Him of whom they hear, Thy people
shall be willing in the day of Thy power, in the beauties of
holiness, from the womb of the morning Thou hast the dew of
Thy youth. The brethren are given a familial
likeness to him who is their elder brother, for whom he did
foreknow he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image
of his son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
This likeness has its greatest fulfillment in the day of the
resurrection. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth
not yet appear what we shall be. But we know that when he
shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as
he is. And every man that hath this
hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. This is a
principle which is presently at work in the brethren, as he
does send his spirit to work in them, both to will and to
do of his good pleasure. Yet the greatest display of brotherhood
found in the scriptures is demonstrated not in our being in his likeness,
though that is quite a glorious display, but rather in his being
made in ours. For verily he took not on him
the nature of angels, but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his
brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things
pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. This
is the mystery which was hidden from the foundation of the world,
but is now made plain. And without controversy, great
is the mystery of godliness. God was manifest in the flesh,
justified in the spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the
Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. It is precisely as he has walked
among his brethren that he is now able to be their high priest.
Seeing then that we have a great high priest that is passed into
the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession,
for we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with
the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted
like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly
unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find
grace to help in time of need. He has left his people here in
this world for a short season, giving them a familial spirit
with those whom he has called his brethren. They are commanded
to love one another even as he has loved them. We know that
we have passed from death unto life because we love the brethren.
He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Hereby perceive
we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us, and
we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. How sweet,
how heavenly is the sight when those that love the Lord in one
another's peace delight and thus fulfill his word. When each can
feel his brother's sigh and with him bear apart. When sorrow flows
from eye to eye and joy from heart to heart. When free from
envy, scorn and pride, our wishes all above. Each can his brother's
failings hide and show a brother's love. Do you love and serve the
brethren? For a free CD containing 15 of
these radio broadcasts, send an email to forthepoor at windstream.net.