Thy mercy, my God, is the theme
of my song. Paul describes the visitation
of the Lord upon his people by saying, For God, who commanded
the light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts to give
the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face
of Jesus Christ. Those who are so blessed are
described in the scriptures as the brethren. To say that brethren
share an intimate connection is quite an understatement. We
read that both he that sanctifieth and they that are sanctified
are all of one. The Lord has a familial relationship
with those he thus describes as his brethren, 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 due 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 does
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
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 our 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 us here in this world
for a short season, giving us a familial spirit with those
whom he has called his brethren. We are commanded to love one
another even as he has loved us. 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. Are you a servant
of the brethren? Let each esteem other better
than themselves. It is by the love of the brethren
that we may know that we have passed from death unto life.
Do you love the brethren? For a free CD containing 15 of
these radio broadcasts, send an email to forthepoor at windstream.net.