GOODNEWSLETTER
Number 390 September 21, 2011
A FINISHED WORK
"...I have finished the work which You have given me to do," John 17:4, NKJ.
I think of this passage as if I was there when the Holy Trinity talked about man's salvation. It is personal! Between God and me, Jesus doing the mediation of fellowship.
And, I am in awe on two points, at least. First, that God would go through so much to bring me out of sin; and second, that Jesus was willing to leave His exclusive abode as the only son of the Father to save me.
Think about it, Jesus became a new creation to bring us into His plan. Jesus will forever be the glorified man, having the body that He was raised in at the resurrection. But, notice this blessing!!! "And, because you are sons, God hat sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, Abba, Father!" (Gal. 4:6). Never again, will Jesus be the only son, as He was before the creation. Yes, God really does love us, doesn't He?
If I were truly with God when they discussed the creation, I would be way back there; before the foundation of the world; a time before the earth was created. Yes! Jesus came to save the world and mankind in time, "although the works were finished from the foundations of the world" (Heb 4:3, NKJ).
As I listen in, I learn that His work is a completed work. My ears open more. My faith is intrigued. I'm there by faith, of course; believing in all accounts I hear from the Word of God. I have learned that the plan is settled in the work of God's Son, the Person of Jesus. Therefore, just as the foundation of the creation was laid - based upon the Son's willingness to redeem it, so man's salvation is "so laid." All the creation is based upon what Christ would accomplish when He would bring salvation to earth. Then, after the millenium, a new earth will be constructed to house mankind.
Concerning man, he remains lost, undone and fleshly. This was known even before the Lord laid down the creation. Yes, before Adam sinned, God was aware of the Fall of mankind. The work of Jesus was to save man out of the world first, then, give Him the earth to rule over at His return. That, my friend, is a wonderful plan.
As I listen in to this eternal coversation, I get a definite meaning of God's purpose. I learn the precise meaning, as well as, all the limits involved in the plan of man's salvation. Jesus entered the world of man to "...finish the work" which the Father gave Him. No one but Jesus could do this work; not angels or any other man, only Jesus (See, Heb. 1:4-7).
Simply put, God has, from the beginning, chosen salvation of man to be by grace. It is a salvation that comes only through God's mercy and love. While, there have always been religious thoughts of salvation about being saved, we must go to the Word and let it be settled. Clearly, there is no energy that man expends to get him saved or stay saved. Further, neither is there any energy of work that man may accomplish in order to serve the Lord, see Ephesians 2:8-9. Salvation is by grace, through faith from beginning to the end.
Just how important is it to know God's plan and it's finished work? Well, listen to the Apostle Peter. "...He indeed was foreordained before the foundations of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you" (1:20, NKJ). That 'YOU' means you and it means me. God loves us and Jesus was willing to die for our sins. Until we get this eternal truth into our hearts, God's plan will not mean much to man. However, we see that the foundation of salvation was established upon the Son of God. It's what Jesus did, and only what He did, that brings salvation to man. Nothing else!
God's 'foundation plan' was laid down in the beginning. But, we see more of it recorded as we study His Word. There is a foundation of service in 1st Corinthians 3:11, informing us that "...no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." This foundation is "built upon the Apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone;" (Eph. 2:20).
Without question, God's foundations are solid. Once established, His foundation stands firm to the end. Do you know this? Well, listen carefully to Paul, once again, "The Lord knows those who are His," (2 Tim. 2:19). The Lord knows us because we are in the plan that was laid down from the foundations fo the world. Learn it, carefully. Love it!
Finally, let's take what Jesus did, His work, to it's end and see what the Bible instructs us about our position today. While, the work of Jesus began before the creaton of the earth, it is eternal and never ends. His plan operates within His people today and will at His return.
Hebrews 2:9-11 teaches that "...Jesus was made a little lower that the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor...by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting for Him...to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both He who sanctifies those who are sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying: "I will declare Youur name to My brethren; in the midst of the congregation I will sing praise to You"
The work of Jesus continues today. Look up and see Him who "...when He had purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high," Hebrews 1:3. It's an amazing thing; but, God allows us to get right where He is. It has to be that way. Dead man can do nothing, God, not only saves us, He raises us up to sit in the heavenlies with His Son, Jesus, the Christ.