WE HAVE AN ALTAR!

The people of God are blessed with a degree of participation never known before the glorification of Christ Jesus. In salvation, we become capable of imbibing the Divine Nature--a requisite to eternal life.

"Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come." (Heb 13:9-14).

Devotion 1 of

INTRODUCTION

The people of God have remarkable advantages. The sons of Korah sensed this as they were moved to write the 48th Psalm. "Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness. Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth . . . " (Psa 48:1-2a).

We have been elevated to heavenly places in Christ Jesus, and there "blessed with all spiritual blessings" in Him (Eph 1:3; 2:6). Believers have not been blessed with some spiritual blessings, but with "ALL" spirituals blessings. These are blessings that transfer into the world to come, and will not be left behind when we meet our appointment with death. They are both needful and satisfying to the soul.

The spiritual wealth that is reserved for the saints transcends the human capacity of conception. As it is written, "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." (1 Cor 2:9). Were it not for Divine revelation, no mortal could have conceived an adequate conception or expression, however infinitesimal, concerning the blessed state of the saved. Philosophy could not dig deep enough. The most astute thinkers of all time were utterly destitute when it came to deciphering the intentions of God for His creation. The wisdom of the sages stands destitute and bereft of power in the arena of Divine will. It cannot see far enough or probe deep enough to appropriate, independently of Divine influence, the "good and acceptable and perfect will of God" (Rom 12:2).

It is a most remarkable thing that so very little is being said these days about what we possess in Christ Jesus. Praise be to God, there are some who have seen the border of the Kingdom, and are proclaiming it. However, proportionately, they are a very small number. Myriads of professed believers have never heard an adequate representation of the "great salvation" that has been prepared for them. They stumble in the dark, trying in fleshly energy to earn a salvation which does not even appear great to them. It seems that people have a passing interest in escaping the "damnation of hell" (Matt 23:33), but little heartfelt preoccupation with obtaining God's "unspeakable gift," or savoring "joy unspeakable and full of glory" (2 Cor 9:15; 1 Pet 1:8). The Devil does not mind people being absorbed with DOING, as long as they are not RECEIVING the good things of God.

This series of devotions will focus on what God has provided for His people--the table He has spread for them, and the altar from which they may eat. These are things provided through the righteousness of God, and appropriated by faith. They belong to those who are in Christ, and will not be withheld from those who seek them.

PRAYER POINT: Father, in Jesus' name, help me to behold with my heart the wonderful things you have provided for those who are in Your Son.

-- Tomorrow: A SOLEMN WARNING --