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Morning Thoughts |
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John 12:32, "And I, if I be
lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." This morning, the subject of "cause and effect" and the accomplishment and victory of Christ's death are still upon our minds. Many times, we fail to appreciate and comprehend the magnanimity of Christ, His work, and the sureness of both as we have not the same ability. There is nothing in life that we can completely control, for there are contributing factors beyond our ability to control. For example, if someone knew how to control all the physical factors of casting a lot, they could produce the same result and effect every time. But, no one can precisely gauge the velocity of the throw, the impacting reaction when it collides with something, the wind effect of flying through the air, etc. The collection of influences that these factors introduce produce the "chance" or probability of the result. On the other hand, God can control and certainly understands what the outcome or result will be of the casting of a lot. (Proverbs 16:33) His understanding of all these factors gives Him the understanding of knowing the effect or outcome before it happens. He also understands and can control (or overturn) different outcomes as the One that is in complete control. Therefore, for us to realize the beautiful effect of the Lord's cause, we must first and foremost understand that He does have control and that none can stay His hand. Without an understanding that He is sovereign, we will never come to the right understanding of His redemption and salvation for His people. When God speaks, it is done, and when He commands, it stands fast. (Psalm 33:9) As the Creator and Lord of heaven and earth, He does whatsoever pleases Him and none can stay His hand. (Psalm 115:3) Therefore, if He is pleased to act and cause something to happen, we can be assured that the effect is guaranteed. Christ is our surety (Hebrews 7:22), and as such, nothing can come between Him and the objects of His affection. Many people discuss the offering of Christ in His death at Calvary, but the problem is that the the focus of who received the offering is misplaced. As the offering was made to the Father (Hebrews 9:12-14), the effect was upon us and not Him. Should the offering have been made to man, the effect would be upon the Father to receive them when they performed the particular act of obedience to merit it. Rather, by His acceptance of His Son's offering the effect is upon us by His drawing power. Notice that Christ's death, being offered to the Father, produces the effect upon His children and that alone. There is not a hint in the verse of anything short of His death that produces the drawing effect of us coming to Him. It is noteworthy to mention that the death Christ prophesied of Himself was exactly what happened. He knew what was coming, and earlier in the passage, He mentions His knowledge of it. He would not pray to His Father for deliverance, for it was that reason and purpose that He came into this world. (John 12:27) Christ knew what was coming, would not shirk from it, and declared openly what He would undergo. We look at Christ's death with the perspective of what we understand. We understand suffering (although not to that extent), and we understand ridicule (although not in those excruciating circumstances) The effect of His death is the reality of all His brethren being drawn to Him by that powerful work. The power of His blood and sacrifice is what makes salvation a cemented reality with no alteration or compromise whatsoever. These men that are drawn to Him do not come because it was their desire, but rather, the power of the work moves them irrespective of their particular notions. As Christ could command a mindless wave or wind to be still and calm, so His power can take a sinner, vain and wild, and make Him as a little child. There is no coercion to accomplish the task, but the effect is made by God's acting power alone. There is one final aspect of this powerful work that we need to investigate, and that is the phrase "all men" that are drawn to Him. If we are to believe that Christ's offering was for every member of mankind (all men without exception), we must reach one of two conclusions. Either we believe Christ's work and cause is as powerful as He says it is, and that would produce the effect of all of mankind being housed in heaven some sweet day. The language of the verse will not allow for one to be acted upon and not arrive with Him. The only other conclusion to reach is that Christ's work and cause is not as powerful as He says it is, and that would produce the effect of no one being housed in heaven as He could not be the truthful God that cannot lie and bring salvation unto His people. Yet, since neither one of these applications will fit with Holy Writ, we must conclude that these "all men" are not all men without exception, but rather, they are all men without distinction. All for whom Christ died will be safely landed within the shores of heaven's pure world. These men have no distinction upon them, for even though they come from different lands, different cultures, and different kindreds and tongues, they are not given distinction between one another. Notice that every man is drawn the very same way. The way that one comes from His drawing power is the way all come from His drawing power, and they all come without the loss of one. (John 6:37, 44) Therefore, even though naturally these men may have differences, in heaven there will be no distinction placed upon them. As we will all be there by the same way, we will all sing the same song, "Worthy art Thou, who hast redeemed us by Thy blood unto God." May our lives thank Him for His righteous cause and sure effect of salvation. His death is beyond my comprehension to fully fathom, but thanks be unto Him that my shortcomings do not shorten His effects. He is faithful who promised, and our place in His arms of love is guaranteed. Praise Him for free grace and mercy.  Bro Philip |