Thy mercy, my God, is the theme
of my song. The Bible is full of practical
advice which can surely be of profit to all who read it. Yet
if all one sees in the scriptures is the literal practical teaching
of them, then that man has missed the greater purpose of those
teachings. To stop at the practical application of the scriptures
is to rejoice in the shell while disregarding the kernel which
is hidden inside of it. All scripture is given by inspiration
of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction,
for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect,
throughly furnished unto all good works. Any discussion or
exhortation unto good works which does not include a consideration
of the source and power of those good works is but an exercise
in the flesh which will do nothing but confirm a man in his own
self-righteousness and stimulate his pride in his own obedience. The Scriptures are primarily
written to testify of Christ and to point to Him as the fulfillment
of all righteousness, even as the Lord told His disciples that
He would send His Spirit who would testify of Me. This is
that which the Lord taught the Pharisees, who were avid students
of the Scriptures. Search the Scriptures, for in
them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which
testify of Me. So the central lesson which must
first be learned by any student of the Scriptures is to see this
truth. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus,
who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification,
and redemption. He that glorieth, let him glory
in the Lord. The awakened sons of God know
that they need a performer. They will despair when confronted
with exhortations of obedience to the precepts of God, if they
do not clearly see that it is God which worketh in you both
the will and to do of his good pleasure. Their comfort is not
in their own obedience, but rather in His. I am crucified with Christ. Nevertheless I live, yet not
I, but Christ liveth in me. And the life which I now live
in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved
me and gave himself for me. The work of Christ as our Redeemer
is hinted at, described, and prophesied throughout the Scriptures,
as well as being demonstrated in His own actions when He walked
upon the earth, and in the present hour as our Great High Priest
before the throne of God. To fail to see Christ as the
central subject about which the Scriptures are written is to
miss the purpose for which they are given. The glory of God is
the purpose for all things, and the Scripture set forth in no
uncertain terms the glory of Jesus Christ as the Redeemer
of sinners, as the centerpiece in the unfolding of that purpose.
For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell,
and it has pleased Him that this glory might be declared throughout
the world in the preaching of the gospel. So anytime that true
preaching occurs, Christ must be the theme, and His glory must
be the purpose for which that preaching is done. All else that
may occur shall be a result of the magnification of Christ,
even as Paul declared that he was called to proclaim. All exaltation,
reproof, and doctrinal teaching must be undertaken for that purpose. The psalmist said, This scripture
is often used to stir up the Lord's people to action. Yet we believe that this scripture
has reference to Christ and that work which he has both undertaken
and performed. Christ went forth with weeping.
He came with a burden to save his people and is touched with
the feelings of their infirmities and the sadness of the death
to which they were in bondage. Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows. He bore precious seed. Christ
was given a people from before the foundation of the world which
He has loved with an everlasting love. He chose them as the objects
of His redemptive work, and it is for them that He bled and
died and does presently intercede. They are the seed of God, elect
and precious unto Him. He brings his sheaves with him.
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so
them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. I will
come again and receive you unto myself that where I am there
ye may be also. He does so with rejoicing. He
rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race, looking unto Jesus,
the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was
set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is sat
down at the right hand of the throne of God. He shall see of
the travail of his soul and shall be satisfied. Do you see Christ
in the Scriptures? If you would like a free transcript
of this broadcast, email us at forthepoor at windstream.net.