THE INTERRELATIONSHIPS OF TRUTH

" . . . If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free . . . If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." (John 8:31-36)

Devotion 8 of 20

ASPECTS OF TRUTH
A way opened to God

Identity with God requires access to Him. That access, however, was closed in Eden, and men were not able to open it again. How, then, would God's purpose be fulfilled? The Lord would make a new and living way; one accessible to men, and honored by Himself. "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh" (Heb 10:19-20).

The opening of that way required that the "Word" become flesh and dwell among us (John 1:1,14). It was essential that the enfleshed Word, Jesus Christ, be "tempted in all points like as we are," yet remain without sin (Heb 4:15). According to the commandment given to Him by His Father, no man could take His life from Him. He had to "lay it down" of Himself, and "take it up again" (John 10:18). His death was not simplistic. He must "bear our sins in His body on the tree" (1 Pet 1:24). According to Divine purpose, He actually was "made sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Cor 5:21). As the Sin-bearer He must also be "made a curse for us" (Gal 3:13). After Jesus died, He must be raised from the dead, returning from the region of the dead with power and glory. He must then ascend back to the Father, from whence He came, and obtain the glory He had before (John 6:62; 14:28; Acts 1:10). In His ascension He must, in fulfillment of prophecy, "lead captivity captivity," triumphing over all of the hosts of wickedness, and releasing their captives (Psa 68:18; Eph 4:8-10). He must then be seated on the "right hand of of the Majesty on high" (Heb 1:3). Possessing "all power in heaven and earth" (Matt 28:18; 1 Pet 3:22), He now reigns until His enemies will be made His footstool (Heb 1:13; 10;13). These are all proclaimed in the Gospel of Christ.

As glorious as these things are, none of them have significance of themselves. It is their relation to what the Lord is doing that gives them their significance. The power of these requirements is realized in their unity. They are all related to the objective of God, finding their sole significance in His eternal purpose. Remove the relationship of these realities, and they lose their power and effectiveness.

A single example of this uplifting consideration will suffice. In a most glorious expression, the Spirit shows us the power of truth being interrelated. Having proclaimed the Sovereign purpose of God, together with its implementation through Christ Jesus, a challenge is hurled into the universe. "Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth" (Rom 8:33). There is not a man on earth of a demon from the abys that can answer that question. It is the Lord Himself Who answers it. How glorious His words. "Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us" (Rom 8:34, NKJV).

Look at this expression for a moment. See how Christ's death, resurrection, exaltation, and intercession work together? Had Jesus died, but not been raised, His death would have counted for nothing. If Jesus had raised from the dead, but not been exalted to the right hand of God, His resurrection would have had no power, and His death would have been in vain. If Jesus had reentered into "heaven itself," but failed to make intercession for us, both His death and resurrection would have been powerless toward us.

But when the relationship of these indispensable achievements of the Son are seen, their power can be experienced. It is the interrelationships of the truth that gives it power! Praise be unto our God!

PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, grant me understanding to see the whole spectrum of Your truth, and not be distracted by views that do not take the whole into consideration.

-- TOMORROW: SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT BIBLE TRANSLATIONS --