In The World but Not Of The World
There
is nothing to this world for a believer. How true this is in one
sense for we "are not of this world." The Christ
that we love said, "The world hates you because it hates Me."
If we were of the world, if our value system was the same as its, if
our purposes and goals were the same and if our views of God, man,
Christ and the way God saves sinners were the same, the world would
love us! Since our only rule of what we believe and what we are to do
is the Holy Scriptures, we are therein described as pilgrims and
sojourners, just passing through this world.
A
wilderness it is but God, as He did for Israel, feeds us with manna
from on high and spreads a table for us in this wilderness. It is THE
GOSPEL FEAST that blesses us on this journey. It is the gospel
wherein the righteousness of God is revealed to the faith He gives.
Like the manna, we are awakened in the morning of spiritual new birth
to find the gift of righteousness already there in Christ. It is new
every day and He is the Bread of God. We feast upon the fact that our
salvation in its entirety is not dependent on what we do or upon
anything that goes on in this world. Our salvation is in One who is
not in this world but seated at the right hand of the majesty on
high. Yet from that high throne our Savior rules this world!
We
have been brought by God's unchanging grace to a state of
unchangeable justification in Him. We will not be condemned with
this world BUT HAVE BEEN SAVED FROM THE WRATH TO
COME. Now, any cross we might be called upon to bear has
no curse in it for He bore the curse because of our sin in His own
body on the tree. We have all spiritual blessings in Christ. He
communes with us by His Spirit and His presence with us is the
witness that we are His people. His providence is working all things
in this world for our good and His glory no matter how things appear.
Furthermore,
He gives us fellowship in the midst of His people, those who like us
are pilgrims also. Among them we find comfort, encouragement, and
hope. No, there's nothing to this world; but oh what God has given
His elect, regenerated and believing people! His kingdom is not of
this world but He has established His kingdom in the hearts of
sinners saved by His blood. A kingdom in hearts of justified sinners
which is "righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit"
through the Lord Jesus Christ. And one other thing: He gives us the
promise and glorious prospect of the world to come!
-Gospel
report by preacher Gary Shepard
Gospel
Sermon, “Will You Escape The Judgment of God?”
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