That My Name Might Be Declared
"So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy." Romans 9:16Of Pharaoh it is said "For this same purpose have I raised thee up... That my name might be declared"
Which name was this? It was Jesus. The name that was to be revealed, the mystery hidden from the ages but revealed in this time to the saints.
When an author sits down to write a book he knows the ending before he begins. Each character is cleverly crafted to fit into his plot. Each word and action by his characters is to form an integral part of the book and enhance the finished work. The same is more so with the bible. The bible recorded history for this reason:
So that his name might be declared (JESUS)
Every character in the bible good or bad is there purely for the one name to be declared: JESUS. His purpose is unflinching and can not be thwarted. Read the words of Pilate moments after he was told by his wife to have nothing to do with this innocent man because she was tormented in a dream.
--Jesus is silent--
"...Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?" (John 19)
Pilate had no idea just who it was he was saying that he had power over. Who was mixing the chemicals together in his mind in this very moment? If it wasn't the Spirit of Jesus then who was it? It was impossible for Pilate not to do what Jesus had wrote beforehand in the Old Testament of himself, therefore Jesus replies:
"Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin..And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him" (John 19)
To the sanctified there is nothing more precious then the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy (the Saint), which he had beforehand prepared unto glory.
"So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy."
Add Your Comment(13)
That My Name Might Be DeclaredPosted by Correy Friday, March 17, 2006
After reading many creeds and belief statements
I decided to stick to my own
13 Comments:
"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing" (Revelation 5:12).
Thanks for this post. Earlier this week, I was at a concert by a group who billed themselves as Christian.
They sang for an entire hour, and not one song mentioned the name of Jesus. I am not exaggerating when I say that. Then they dared call the event an evangelistic outreach.
I was incredulous.
Excellent post.
For reasons beyond our comprehension, we are used by Him. All people. Whether it be as vessels of honor or wrath.
A.W Pink writes, "Let us learn then, to look beyond all secondary causes and instruments to the One who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will (Eph. 1:11)
God's Divine will, no matter how hard the effort, can never be thwarted. What comfort to those in Christ, to know such a God is in control. A God that KEEPS His children. For this is such a thing not concocted by man and thus cannot be destroyed by man or even the devil.
Amazingly God has set His heart upon those He has marked out to be the recipients of His sovereign favours while we were yet filthy sinners.
Michael:
Yes everything is contained in Jesus.
Gordon:
incredulous was a great word to use reminds me of pilgrims progress. "God talk" is always very popular even amongst the heathens. But exalt the foolishness of the cross and Christ and you are in trouble. Place Jesus on the throne of God or exalt him up to the highest place and you will soon be despised. The world hates us for it first hated him. I am very suspicious when the world talks fondly of "Christians" for it also did this of the false prophets.
4given:
Great verse from Ephesians and great expansion.
So when people do evil they're doing God's will? Whether God is sovereign or not is not the question. It seems the question is whether He chooses to exercise that power or not. If you're saying that in all things He DOES, then you're saying that God is the cause of evil. This is considered by Scripture to be a blasphemy.
What you're saying is a far cry from the tenet that God can make good come out of evil. You're saying that God wills beings to will what He does not will, a logical and theological absurdity.
Anonymous:
I am not saying "in all things He DOES, " I am saying in all things he works after the counsil of his will even the destruction of the wicked. For it is their deeds that they are being punished for not God's he has never lied or sinned ever.
When Pharaoh had his heart hardened against Israel who's will was it? Or when Judas did exactly what the scripture said to betray Jesus who's will was it? Or when Pilate although with determination tried to release Jesus who's will was it that he could not?
May I ask if these people can't resist his will then who can? Can you even by your wicked deeds resist the Lords will? (Rom 9:19)
I am not sure which bible you read?
Philippians 2:13
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Just have a read of Numbers and see what happens to the Sons of Korah who do you think afflicted the calamity upon them. Then notice what happened after the Israelites doubted that it was the Lord who did this and blamed Moses.
Please read the start of Job and find out who summoned Satan to afflict Job. Actually just read the words of Job compared to the words of the wicked wise men for your answer.
Are you saying that it was not Gods will for Adam and Eve to Sin?
God does not sin nor does he tempt. God doesn't even need to do this. He has made it so he can't.
Find out who made the ear and who made the eyes who causes people to be sick for his purpose. Actually would be good to just simply read the bible afresh to find out:
"the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:" Eph 1:11
Puritan asks:
"Are you saying that it was not Gods will for Adam and Eve to Sin?"
Yes, what's the alternative? (I'm not saying that He may not have foreknown it, but that does not mean He willed it.)
You're suggesting that it was God's will for Adam and Eve to defy His will. In this case, God is essentially at war with himself, yes? In this case, when He says "don't commit adultery", perhaps He really is simultaneously willing that we do commit adultery. Or are you saying that He only wills SOME people to commit adultery?
When you say "God does not sin", you're drifting off the subject. I never said God sins. I did say God cannot will sin and NOT will it at the same time (despite your assurance that He can).
Otherwise, all words are meaningless. What color is Thursday? How many hats can fit in an hour?
How very Lewis Carroll of you.
Anonymous - You raise some interesting points.
I believe the whole point of our creation is that God came to lay down his life to save those whom he loves - Amazing!
For this to happen Man though created perfect, must sin!
After all who can resist the will of the Lord?
Anonymous, you said:
"Are you saying that it was not Gods will for Adam and Eve to Sin?"
If I could jump in here... God has two wills at work a preceptive and decretive.
God ordained that Adam and Eve would sin. He did not will it, but allowed it. His perceptive will gave them the command not to sin by eating of the fruit. This will of God he allows to be violated by man. He knew they would. Examples would be Ten Commandments, laws, precepts, etc.
His decretive will comes to pass and cannot be thwarted. He uses the sin of sinful man to accomplish his decretive will. Example would be Joseph sold and taken to Egypt. He will do amazing things to accomplish this if necessary. Example would be Saul on the road to Damascus.
While God is not the author of sin, he has ordained it since he has ordained all that comes to pass.
Jazzycat
While God doesn't cause sin it is still a vital part of His plan for redemption and displaying His ultimate love though the sacrifice for sin.
This is where Puritan would say I use a "crystal ball" explanation even though it is nothing of the sort.
God know's the end from the beginning. Just because He knew Adam and Eve would sin does not place the blame on Him nor does it diminish their decision to do so.
God wants us to love Him freely. He stacks all of creation up to point to Him. He gives us a built in concience that points to Him. He sends the Holy Spirit to call us and convict us and convince us of our need for Him. Yet, He still let's us decide in the end to turn to Him. When we don't. We harden.
It is like God standing in front of me. He says, "Michael, Come to me!". I say no and walk across the room. He says it again a little louder. I walk outside. He comes to the door. I go across the street. He yells. I go down the road. He yells louder. I move further away. Soon, I move to far away. It wasn't God's fault. I can not be mad that He did not pursue me further. Maybe he pursued somebody else further. Maybe somebody else came in the first call.
So my point was that God does not will sin or cause sin.
We decide to sin. God has done everything He will do to stop us but He will not make that decision for us. We decide to sin. He can and will help us to not but He will not stop us from doing it.
Michael:
And those whom he foreknew he also predestined. He predestined them because he foreknew what he would do because he created them vessels of mercy not because of what they would do. (and that not of yourselves it is a gift of God) Others he created for less noble use and are vessels of wrath. When the Lord calls us unto salvation it is an effectual call which never fails "And those whom he called he also justified".
Post a Comment
<< Puritan Belief