Welcome, friends, to another
broadcast of Morsels for Zions 4. There came a time during the
Lord's ministry upon the earth when the popularity of His message
began to fade, and many of His followers forsook Him because
His message was a bit too radical for them. The Lord asked His
twelve disciples, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter gave
a classic answer, which is the very embodiment of true faith,
when he said, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of
eternal life, and we believe and are sure that Thou art that
Christ, the Son of the living God. Upon another occasion, as
he taught in Caesarea Philippi, he asked them this question,
Whom do men say that I, the Son of Man, am? They answered, Some
say that Thou art John the Baptist, some Elias, and others Jeremiah,
or one of the prophets. Then he asked them a much more
probing question, But whom say ye? that I am." Once again, Simon
Peter replied with the only answer true faith knows, Thou art the
Christ, the Son of the living God. The Lord did not ask these
questions in order to gain information which he was not already aware
of, since he knows the end from the beginning. Rather, he posed
these questions for the benefit of his disciples, so that he
might demonstrate the principle upon which the very foundation
of his kingdom rests. For therein is the righteousness
of God revealed from faith to faith as it is written, the just
shall live by faith. Just as we read in the book of
Hebrews, but without faith it is impossible to please Him.
The Lord clearly told Peter that his knowledge of and faith in
the living Christ did not arise out of his own power or ability
of reason. When he said, Blessed art thou,
Simon Barjona, for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto
thee, but my Father which is in heaven. This is exactly what
Paul said to the Ephesians. For by grace are ye saved through
faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. Apart
from a clear understanding of the source of true faith, it
is impossible that men should ever have a right understanding
of the basis and nature of faith in the children of God, or the
operation of faith in them, as the Spirit of God manifests the
Lord's Kingdom here in the earth. In this hyper-religious age in
which we live, there is much talk of faith, but most of it
centers on trying to stir men up to believe, as if they possess
the ability and power to do so, rather than a clear and unwavering
message that declares true faith to be the result of the operation
of the Holy Ghost. according to the sovereign grace
of God, who has determined to manifest His saving grace, and
the fruits of His redemptive work in the sons of God, whom
He has loved from before the foundation of the world. The
religious hucksters and physicians of no value can pass land and
sea to make converts, and continually make merchandise of men by scratching
their itching ears and persuading them that they can make a deal
with God by exercising faith. Yet such a message merely reinforces
the error that all men inherit by nature. The truth is that
true faith is not the product of men, but rather the gift of
God, which is bestowed upon beggars whose eyes the Lord has opened
to see themselves without hope, apart from the mercy of God.
Poverty-stricken sinners rejoice at the Lord's command. Ho, every
one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters. And he that hath
no money, come ye, buy and eat. Yea, come, buy wine and milk
without money. and without price. Thou hast
hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed
them unto babes. The Lord Jesus said, I came not
to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. For it is not
by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to
His mercy He saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing
of the Holy Ghost. If you would like a free transcript
of this broadcast Email us at ForThePoor at WinStream.net. That's ForThePoor at W-I-N-D-S-T-R-E-A-N
dot net.