The Relevancy of These Things

"For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him" (Hebrews 1:5-6).

The relevancy of these declarations to our salvation must be seen. Remember, some of the Hebrew believers had been reverting back to a system of Law. They were relying upon law-keeping to obtain the approval of God. In such an arrangement, angels received undue adoration, and Jesus was relegated to the background. Such tendencies have not ceased to exist. The purpose of this book is to accentuate not only the indispensability of Jesus, but His absolute superiority. It is unreasonable, from any point of view, to minimize the Son of God!

I have often said it, but must do so once again. There is far too much relegation of Jesus to an inconsequential position in contemporary religion. I have often been asked about my identity with a denomination, but very rarely about my affiliation with the Son of God. Some are actually more comfortable approving or condemning a person in view of their "church" affiliation than their relationship to Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God. That is a tragic situation, and altogether too common. It is also inexcuseable, betraying an aloofness from God that is not acceptable.

Much of what parades itself as "Christian" is nothing more than the wisdom of men. Often, it is even a poor representation of that. It is important to know that God will not tolerate the obscuring of His Son. The institutional fervor that pushes Jesus to the background will cause men to be put under the feet of Christ. This speaks of cursing, never of blessing! It is when the "Stone" falls upon and crushes those at variance with Him (Luke 20:18).

By way of contrast, those that are aligned with the Son will be "joint heirs" with Him (Rom 8:17). Rather than being placed under His feet, they will sit together with Him in His throne (Rev 3:21). How glorious to contemplate such a great Savior! What is a system of law-keeping to this? How does the outcome of independent human endeavor compare with being identified with the Son of God? The truth is, there is no comparison! As the Son is superior to angels, so the salvation that He brings is superior to that achieved by men. Were men to have the aid of the entire angelic hosts, but be without Jesus, they still could not be saved! God has made no provision for salvation apart from His Son--intimate involvement with His Son. All of this teaching is calculated to register that upon your conscience.

--TOMORROW: HOW SHOULD WE REACT TO THIS MESSAGE? --