Thy mercy, my God, is the theme
of my song. When Adam walked in the garden
in the cool of the day, he had no reason to be unthankful, nor
was he lifted up with pride in any way in the accomplishment
of that which the Lord directed him to do and fitted him for.
Yet when sin had entered his heart and mind, so too did his
mind change towards these things. Now men glory in those things
which they do as though they have enabled themselves to perform
the very task which they accomplish. By nature, man is unthankful,
boasting in those things which he gains as though he caused
himself to be different from other men. Sadly, this manifests
itself as his natural religious nature causes him to think that
he is able to earn God's favor by the activity which he is certain
he can perform. It stands to reason in his clouded
mind that he can bring something to God wherewith the Lord will
be pleased, even as Cain brought an offering from the field in
which he had labored with his hands. Yet the Lord had no respect
unto Cain, and therefore not to his offering. On the other
hand, he had respect unto Abel, and therefore received his offering
of the firstfruits of his flock. There are many lessons which
can be gleaned from this account, yet primarily we understand that
God does not look upon the deeds and offerings of men in order
to receive them unto himself. Rather, he receives men based
on his sovereign choice to show mercy to whom he wills. The only
way whereby a man may approach unto God is in the perfect offering
of Christ, who shed his blood for the sins of his people. Men
cannot earn his favor by their activity, nor will they believe
his word apart from his gifts and calling. Cain showed his
disdain for the Lord by slaying his own brother, who was chosen
by the Lord, even as the world has slain the righteous one whom
he hath sent into the world. The only work which is acceptable
in the sight of a holy God is a perfect work, which is without
any mixture of weakness or error. Who shall ascend unto the hill
of the Lord, or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath
clean hands and a pure heart, who hath not lifted up his soul
unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully, he shall receive the blessing
from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
Many is the religious man who has considered that he would
be such a one as this by his own device and obedience. Yet
there is only one man who has ever lived up to this lofty standard
and gained the blessings of God. He is that one in whom we desire
to be found. Christ has come into the world
as the wise master builder of an everlasting kingdom. Hiram
was given eyes to see Solomon as a wise and glorious king over
the colonial nation of Israel. But those who are given eyes
to see those things from above understand that there is one
greater than Solomon, who is meant by the words of Hiram,
recorded for us in the Scriptures. Hiram said, Moreover, blessed
be the Lord God of Israel, that made heaven and earth, who hath
given to David the king a wise son, endued with prudence and
understanding, that he might build an house for the Lord,
and a house for his kingdom. Paul, as an apostle chosen by
Christ, likened himself as a wise master builder of those things
given to him. Yet he understood that he was not the builder,
for he went on to recognize the temporary nature of all things
built by men. Only that which stands upon this
foundation shall stand the test when it is tried by fire. For
this temple must be constructed by him whose purpose shall not
fail. Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord
of hosts. Who art thou, O great mountain?
Before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain, and he shall
bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace,
grace unto it. The material of which this kingdom
is built are those living stones, which are fitted and crafted
by the hands of our glorious King. Ye also, as living stones,
were built up in spiritual house and holy priesthood, to offer
up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Know
ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of
God dwelleth in you? Now therefore ye are no more
strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints,
and of the household of God, and are built upon the foundation
of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the
chief cornerstone, in whom all the building, fitly framed together,
groweth into an holy temple in the Lord, in whom ye are also
builted together for inhabitation of God through the Spirit. This
is what Paul declares when he tells the Ephesians that we are
his workmanship. This is no cooperative effort,
nor do the saints add anything to that which he performs. He
perfectly demonstrates his work in his saints as he sifts his
wheat and winnows his grain according to his good pleasure. They are
created unto good works, and he will not fail to produce such
in those that are his, even as he separates the wheat from the
chaff. Are you his workmanship? For a free CD containing 15 of
these radio broadcasts, send an email to forthepoor at windstream.net.