Welcome, friends, to another
broadcast of Morsels for Zion's Poor. The wicked and blind nature
of men is demonstrated in their treatment of the Lord Jesus Christ
as he walked among the men of this world. That the scripture
may be fulfilled, he that eateth bread with me hath lifted up
his heel against me. He was in the world, and the
world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto
his own, and his own received him not. The most peaceful man
who ever lived was yet despised by men. While he walked among
men as a man of peace, yet he set forth one reason for the
impossibility of peace in this world. Think not that I am come
to send peace on the earth. I came not to send peace, but
a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his
father, the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law
against her mother-in-law. And a man's foes shall they be
of his own household. He that loveth father or mother
more than me is not worthy of me. There is an outward form
of peace and harmony which does exist in the world. It is seen
when men join hands in their concerted efforts to disregard
the truth of God and to go about establishing their own righteousness.
This activity was seen just a few generations after the flood,
as they came together to build the tower at Babel. And they
said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top
may reach unto heaven, and let us make us a name, lest we be
scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. The Lord
there confused their language and brought forth division among
them, that He might demonstrate their innate wickedness and uncover
their wicked devices. There will never be true peace
and harmony in any land upon the earth as long as the gospel
of Jesus Christ and Him crucified is preached by men sent by God.
The natural man will never embrace this message, even as Paul taught,
for the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness,
but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. This is
an everlasting division which cannot be healed, though men
join hand in hand in many endeavors. As it is written, Behold, I lay
inside a stumbling stone and a rock of offense, and whosoever
believeth on him shall not be ashamed. Those who are born again
shall believe in him, worshiping at his footstool, while those
who are the children of wrath will manifest their disdain for
the simplicity of salvation. preferring a system wherein they
can add their own works of righteousness and promote philosophies which
appeal to their flesh. Thus they are offended by Christ,
while those who believe cling to him as their only source of
light and life. The man who is awakened by the
Holy Spirit is first made to understand his wickedness and
to see clearly that God is just and right in condemning him for
that wickedness. When those Jews which had gathered
on the day of Pentecost heard the declaration of a crucified
Christ, they were smitten in their hearts and cried out, Men
and brethren, what shall we do? The Philippian jailer came in
trembling and afraid before Paul and Silas, because the Spirit
of God convinced him of sin, righteousness, and judgment in
the twinkling of an eye, thus causing him to cry out, Sirs,
what must I do to be saved? Never has a man asked that question
in such earnest, who has not first been convinced of his own
sin and worthiness of destruction by the Spirit of God. Such men
are not seeking an excuse for their sin, but rather a remedy
for their dilemma. They also cannot find relief
for this dilemma in anyone but Christ. They certainly despair
of finding help in their own strength. When they hear him
call, they gladly follow and will wait upon his mercy alone.
As they learn of him, they rejoice in his advocacy in their behalf
and desire no other intercessor but him. Though it is his mercy
that they hope to be the recipients of, it is his justice that gives
them ground to expect a full salvation. He is faithful and
just to forgive us our sins. The song of the redeemed in every
age is set forth in the revelation of Christ, which was given to
John. And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God,
and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are thy works,
Lord God Almighty. Just and true are thy ways, thou
King of saints. Job expressed the living hope
of those who were caused to believe when he said, For I know that
my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter
day upon the earth. And though after my skin worms destroy this
body, yet in my flesh shall I see God, whom I shall see for myself,
and mine eyes shall behold, and not another. though my reigns
be consumed within me. A man cannot gain such a hope
through the endeavors of his flesh, nor can he attain it by
involvement in any religion of men. This is the gift of grace
which is bestowed upon those who otherwise have no hope. For
we are saved by hope, but hope that is seen is not hope. For
what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope
for that which we see not, then do we with patience wait for
it. Do you have a hope in Christ? For a free CD containing 15 of
these radio broadcasts, send an email to forthepoor at windstream.net.