The Jews were convinced that
the truth of God could be taught to men a little at a time, and
could therein be applied to them over the course of many succeeding
generations, and that their descendants could embrace it by an adherence
to the letter of it. This is still a common notion,
not simply to the Jews, but to the multitude of Gentiles which
call themselves the followers of Christ. The results are the
same in the present day with those who would identify themselves
as Christians, and go about with the idea that they can make and
teach disciples of the Lord through their study, efforts, and application
of practices and doctrines which are looked upon as duties and
decisions of the supposed free will of men. In this quest they
have established denominations, sects, and parties to build their
brand and promote their organizations, which in turn propagate the earth
with followers of their various factions, each one vying for
converts in a sort of contest with others. All the while they
count their devotees and take great pride in their swelling
numbers. If these numbers should lag behind their projections
and desires, they brainstorm to come up with new methods designed
to better appeal to the masses which they are trying to reach.
As I survey this scene, I am reminded of what the Lord told
the Pharisees. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees,
hypocrites! For ye can pass sea and land
to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold
more the child of hell than yourselves. They view the making of these
proselytes as a badge of honor, with little regard to the necessity
of the Spirit's work in bringing about a new birth and drawing
men unto Himself in repentance. One can hardly go anywhere in
the earth which is not infected with just about every aberration
and disregard of the truth of God which is set forth by these
varied brands. Behind all of this foolishness
are varying degrees of will-worship, sign-seeking, and those who are
desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what
they say nor whereof they affirm, and demonstrating a total disregard
of the simplicity of the gospel, which Paul was solely committed
to preach. For I determine not to know anything
among you save Jesus Christ and Him crucified. The corrupt nature
of men causes them to corrupt the things of God and to diverge
from his way without any provocation. So we are not surprised at any
of this. Paul warned the Ephesian elders
that such events would occur. Of your own selves shall men
arise speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after
them. He told Timothy, and they shall
turn away their ears from the truth and shall be turned unto
fables. The common denominator in these
departures is the notion that men can better perform the work
of the Spirit than he can, since the common belief which is rampant
across nominal Christendom is that men have a free will which
must be appealed to, and therefore the idea is prevalent that the
kingdom of God is like a business which, if tended to properly,
will prosper in the hands of those who seek to perpetuate
it. The Lord has a people scattered throughout the earth that he
will call in his own time. When the Lord calls a man from
darkness to light, he does it speedily and without warning,
and does not rely upon the work of men. The whole life of the
apostle was indeed a preparation for that which the Lord called
him to. Yet the work which the Lord did could not be predicted,
hindered, or aided by men, including Paul himself. The same is true
for the thief on the cross, the woman at the well, or blind Bartimaeus
who sat by the wayside begging. The Lord knoweth them that are
his. He said that he would call his
sheep by name, and they would hear his voice. He will save
his people from their sins. That man who has not only heard
the truth, but heard his word in truth, cannot abide the empty
and flattering words of those who would add something to it.
Do not preach to me about prophecy, tell me about the prophet. Do
not teach me about the law and my duty to it, but tell me about
the lawgiver and he who has fulfilled the law in its jot and tittle.
Oh, preach to me of him who is my performer, he who is the savior
of sinners and the king of glory, one who has triumphed over his
enemies and obtained eternal redemption for his people. If
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