THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
by Given O. Blakely
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PERSPECTIVES WHEN READING GOD'S WORD #3
 To conform His sons to Christ's image
     Another view of Divine objective is found  in the eighth chapter of Romans,
the sanctuary of Scripture. Here God's aim is declared to be the replication of
His Son in "many brothers." Hear the marvelous affirmation. "For whom He
foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son,
that He might be the firstborn among many brethren; and whom He predestined,
these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He
justified, these He  also glorified" (Rom 8:29,30). While many people draw back
from this attestation, it is intended to be a source of great comfort to believers.
Salvation is in the hand of the Almighty. It is His enterprise from beginning to
end, and those that trust in Him will not be ashamed (Rom 10:11)--THEY WILL
NOT!.
     God's purpose is to make those in Christ like Christ. Any process that is not
resulting in this objective is not of God. Read the Bible with this in mind, and
you will see new and invigorating  things. This is why our sins are remitted
(Acts 2:38; Acts 10:43). The reason for the gift of the Holy Spirit is found in this
truth (Gal 4:6; 1 Thess 4:8). Our access to God is traced to this reality (Rom 5:2;
Eph 3:12). The new covenant is structured, so to speak, around this objective.
This is why the law is "put" into our hearts and "written" upon our minds (Heb
8:10: 10:16). God works in us "both to will and to work for His good pleasure"
in order to the fulfillment of His "eternal purpose" (Phil 2:13). Read the Bible
with this in mind.
      To demonstrate His wisdom to heavenly principalities and powers
     In a lofty statement, Paul alludes to God's determination as revealed through
Jesus Christ. He is engaged in showing His divers wisdom to heavenly
personalities. The wisdom of God is great and multifaceted. If it does not
impress humanity, it is the subject of inquiry among angelic hosts. We know
of their interest in the great salvation designed for the sons of men. "As to this
salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you
made careful search and inquiry, seeking to know what person or time the Spirit
of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and
the glories to follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving
themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you
through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from
heaven-- things into which angels long to look" (1 Pet 1:10-12). How refreshing
it would be if men were as intrigued with salvation as the angels are. After all, it
is a salvation for men, not angels!
     The interest of angels is not coincidental. It is by design! Salvation is
calculated to show angelic personalities aspects of God they have never seen
before. "To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the
Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to bring to light what is the
administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who
created all things; in order that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made
known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly
places" (Eph 3:9-10). How marvelous the wisdom of the Almighty! Creation
itself was established by Divine wisdom. "It is He who made the earth by His
power, Who established the world by His wisdom; And by His understanding He
has stretched out the heavens" (Jer 10:12). However, that wisdom is nothing to
compare with the measure of Prudence made known in the rescue of a fallen
race!
     Principalities and powers in heavenly places behold rebels converted to
willing servants. They see those that were "dead in trespasses and sins" raised to
sit with Christ in heavenly places (Eph 1:6; 2:1,6). The alienated are reconciled
(Eph 4:18; Col 1:21), enemies are made "friends" (John 15:14-15) and the blind
see (Isa 29:18). The deaf hear, the lame leap (Isa 29:18), and the unwilling are
made willing in the day of His power (Psa 110:3)! All of this is accomplished in
the devil's environment--where he is "prince."  It is also accomplished with
"wisdom," no coercion. Salvation is an economy of wisdom, not coercive power.
All of this is achieved without God compromising His own character or violating
human will. The magnitude of this wisdom is scarcely known in our day.
     Read the Bible with this in mind. You will see the conduct of the assembly is
to be achieved with the angels in mind (1 Cor 10:11). Paul challenged Timothy
to consider his words in view of the angels (1 Tim 5:21). Solomon once charged
that careless people should consider the angels when speaking loosely (Eccl 5:6).
You will find angels prominent throughout God's dealings with humanity. They
were present in Eden (Gen 3:24). They delivered Lot from Sodom (Gen 19:10).
The law was given by angels at Sinai (Gal 3:19). You can probably think of
many occasions in which angels were obvious. The birth of Christ, His
temptation, resurrection, and ascension. The deliverance of Peter and Paul, and
even the judgement of Herod. In all of these instances, and more, God was
showing His wisdom to angelic hosts! The book of Revelation often depicts the
angelic hosts responding in praise to the works of God.
(More on this subject Monday)
KEEP ALERT. THE NEW WORD OF TRUTH WEBSITE
IS TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON.
In joyful expectation of glory,
Given O. Blakely