In the thirteenth chapter of
I Corinthians, Paul says, For we know in part, and we prophesy
in part, but when that which is perfect is come, then that
which is in part shall be done away. This principle is at the
very heart of what we read in the opening statement of the
epistle to the Hebrews. God, who at sundry times and
in divers manners faked in time past unto the fathers by the
prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son,
whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made
the worlds. There is no need for the shadow
when the substance is present. Christ is the sum of all that
the Lord would reveal to his children. We see the very culmination
of this principle in the revelation given to John. And I saw no temple
therein, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of
it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon,
to shine in it. For the glory of God did lighten
it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. This is further illustrated
in the glorious declarations Paul made to the Philippians
and to the Colossians, wherefore God also hath highly exalted
him, and given him a name which is above every name, that at
the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven,
and things in earth, and things under the earth, and that every
tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory
of God the Father. where there is neither Greek
nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bond nor
free, but Christ is all and in all. This principle is clearly
set forth as that mystery which was kept secret from the beginning
and is now revealed, that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs
and of the same body and partakers of His promise in Christ by the
gospel. There can be no separation between
those who were made one in Christ, when he who is the head of the
body is now come. And to make all men see what
is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the
world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ,
to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers and
heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom
of God, according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in
Christ Jesus our Lord. All doctrine which was given
before this clear revelation is seen to be but a precursor
to the unfolding of the fullness of that which God has ordained
from the beginning, and hath put all things under his feet,
and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which
is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all.
When that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall
be done away. We look for perfection and fulfillment
nowhere else but in Him, as He has made unto us wisdom and righteousness
and sanctification and redemption. To look at any exhortation or
duty which is set forth in the New Testament, apart from a clear
understanding of this truth, is to miss the mark entirely
and to press upon the sons of God the same requirements that
were unmet under Moses' law due to the weakness of the flesh.
Now, we would never contend that the sons of God are not given
many and varied exhortations and admonitions throughout the
New Testament. But we would continually contend
that such exhortations and admonitions are given to them in order to
stir them up, to look unto Christ, to fulfill these things in them,
and thus to rest in Him as the fulfiller of all such things. His strength is made perfect
in weakness as we see His grace to be sufficient for us. When
we lay burdens upon the sons of God, or we labor to perform
what is required of us, we become caught in a maelstrom of human
endeavor which only serves to weaken the children of God, since
He alone can minister peace to His children by reminding them
that He is their performer in all things. Paul said, For I
through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. 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. Such a doctrine will
never subdue the carnal man, but it is a sweet savor to those
who have been awakened to see themselves as corrupt and powerless,
who have been caused to come unto Him and find rest unto their
weary souls. Do you find contentment in your
religious efforts and faithfulness, or do you count all but done
that you might win Christ? Christ is all. If you would like a free transcript
of this broadcast, email us at 4the4 at windstream dot net.