The Lord upbraided the Pharisees
for their hypocrisy and self-righteousness when He said, Ye blind guides,
which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. He pointed out their blindness
to the truth as they paid particular attention to inane and, in many
cases, man-made details of the law, while neglecting the greater
matters of mercy and justice. This phrase has come to mean,
in our modern language, the weakness for being unable to see the forest
for the trees, or sticking with an opinion even though the evidence
against that opinion is overwhelming. I would also apply it to those
who take a verse of scripture out of its proper context and,
using a few words in it, seek to prove a point that is contrary
to the actual application of the scripture. Many such proof
texts abound in the fertile imaginations of those who would deny the plain
message of the gospel or seek to subvert their hearers for
their own purpose. One such passage is 1 Timothy
2.4 which says, Who will have all men to be saved, and to come
unto the knowledge of the truth. The camel swallowers love this
verse as they use it to supposedly prove that God is hoping and
trying to save every man, woman, boy and girl on the planet. They
picture Him as one who while desirous of having every man
to be saved, in reality saves none of them. but rather waits
to see which among them can save themselves by making a decision
to believe the gospel. If the all here means, as they
say, every individual upon the planet, then it must prove far
more than they would admit that it does, or either that the mediation
of Christ is not sufficient for the salvation of any, apart from
their own approval of it. Very few would contend that every
individual upon the earth will be saved. Therefore, they must
contend that the mediation of Christ alone cannot save any
man. This latter notion is so contrary
to the gospel message as declared by the apostles that one shudders
to think of the cursed state such proclaimers are entertaining
by preaching such a blasphemous message. Paul said, But though
we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you than
that we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said
before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel
unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. One thing
that is abundantly clear in the scriptures is that Christ Jesus
has obtained eternal redemption for those for whom he came as
a mediator and redeemer. We find nowhere recorded in the
annals of scripture or in any presentation of the gospel the
idea that Christ has in any wise failed to accomplish exactly
what he came into the world to do. The earliest of prophecies
concerning him plainly declare the victory and triumph of this
mediator. The prophet Isaiah recorded his
utter triumph in completing exactly what he came to do. He shall
see of the travail of his soul and shall be satisfied. By his
knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many, for he
shall bear their iniquities. If language means anything at
all, then it is abundantly clear that a mediator mediates, a savior
saves, and a redeemer redeems. He does not do so by committee
or by a cooperative effort between those he came to save and his
valiant attempt to do so. A mediator, unless he is a failure,
must bring about a mediation by his power and will alone. Christ is the mediator between
God and men. He does so by revealing himself
in the likeness of human flesh. His purpose in coming into the
earth is to manifest the glory of His grace in the redemption
of sinners. Christ is the only Mediator between
God and men. There is no other name under
heaven whereby we must be saved. Christ is the Mediator between
God and men. It would be foolish to seek out
a Mediator who was merely available. If a man finds himself in trouble
with the law, he would be wise to seek an advocate who can deliver
him. Jesus Christ is that Mediator
for those who have been called to inherit eternal life. He ever
lives to make intercession for those that believe. Is He your
Mediator?