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 15 of 20

RAISED BY THE GLORY OF THE FATHER

The resurrection of Christ was not a form of Divine entertainment. Nor, indeed, was it intended to be an end of itself. It was one of the means of implementing a purpose settled before the foundation of the world. The "glory of the Father" was employed to raise Jesus from the dead, because the "eternal purpose" of the Father was thereby served.

Those who obey the Gospel (2 Thess 1:8; 1 Pet 4:17), participate in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Their new life in Christ springs from "the glory of the Father," which raised Jesus from the dead. "Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Rom 6:4).

Ascended on high

Had Jesus been raised from the dead, but did not return to heaven, His death and resurrection would have counted for nothing. The purpose of God was not fulfilled in the resurrection of Christ! Its fulfillment was guaranteed, however, by a risen Christ returning to heaven. "Wherefore he saith, When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that He ascended, what is it but that He also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that He might fill all things" (Eph 4:8-10).

Jesus ascended to "fill all things," the prelude to the appointed gathering of all things into "one." As it is written, "that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth; in Him." (Eph 1:10, NKJV).

Thus we again behold the marvelous integration of the truth of God. Everything accomplished by Jesus marvelously fits together in order to the accomplishment of a "great salvation."

PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, give me grace to see the larger picture, that I may profit from the details accomplished by Your great power.

-- TOMORROW: ANGELS, AUTHORITIES, AND POWERS MADE SUBJECT TO HIM --