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Dripping Springs Weekly Bulletins
"The WHOLE Thing"
I’ve got a “bone to pick” with milk-shake-makers. They took a bunch of ice cream and stuffed it in a big metal can, then used a blender to shake it up. That’s OK, but then they filled up s paper cup, gave it to me and threw away what was left in the can. I wanted to know, “WHY CAN’T I HAVE IT ALL?” But, being a dignified person, I did not make a scene.
Each Christian’s Obligation
Many people go through life without receiving all that God wants them to have. Is it possible that they are unaware of the blessings God has prepared for us? Titus 2:11 tells us:
“The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.” Salvation is available to everyone. Not just Americans, but for “all.”
Why do so many fail to find God’s blessings? If it is because they are unaware of them, that puts even more responsibility on us to tell them of those blessings. When God gives us something, He does give us the “whole thing,” but He expects us to share the news of those blessings —the whole thing—with others!
“…How Much More”
Jesus had something to say about this subject, using these words:
“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you,” Matthew 7:7.
That’s not the entire story, for Jesus contrasts this with a human father.
“If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” Matthew 7:11.
The key phrase in this context is “…how much more.” What father does not delight in giving good things to his children? But whatever good things man may give, those blessings available from our Heavenly Father are so “much more.” He wants us to have “the whole thing,” not just a little bit.
“All Men To Be Saved”
This is made known in 1 Timothy 2:4 in a context of prayer for kings and those in places of authority. In that passage God reveals that He wants “all men to be saved.” The true desire of God is that every man, woman and child be with Him enjoying the bliss of heaven.
That is part of what Paul told Titus, that God’s grace is available to all. In Hebrews 5:8-9 we read:
“Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.”
Note: “all them that obey him.” Not a special few, but “all them that obey him.” Jesus had said, sadly, that “many” (see Matthew 7:13ff) will be lost in spite of God’s wishes. Why do so many ignore and reject the “whole thing” God offers?
“…Blessings in Christ”
Yes, these blessings are available for all, but some obligation is placed upon those who desire them. Just as one who wants groceries goes to a grocery store, one who wants the blessings God offers must be where those blessings are found. And, sure enough, God’s Word says:
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ,” Ephesians 1:3.
If you want the “whole thing,” all of God’s bountiful blessings, you must be “in Christ”. Is it fair for God to make demands of those who want His blessings? Yes, for the same demands are made for all, Acts 10.
How does one get into Christ?
“For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ,” Galatians 3:26-27.
The Bible says we are “baptized into Christ.” If you misunderstood that, someone had to “help” you to misunderstand it. It’s just too plain.
“The Hope of Eternal Life”
In Titus 3:7 God had Paul write:
“Being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
Note that we do not “earn” it by piling up a long list of good deeds, but we inherit it, we are “heirs” of “eternal life.” God’s children, those who are “in Christ,” inherit the blessings according to Christ’s “will.”
Why would anyone want anything less than the “whole thing,” all of what God has reserved in heaven for His children. Nothing man can offer matches the “how much more” that God wants all of us to enjoy.
True Peace and Joy
God has promised Christians a “peace that passes understanding,” a peace that comes from the “God of peace,” Philippians 4:7-9. No, it is not a peace that eliminates terrorism or all trouble, but a peace that helps us see beyond today’s trouble, to be at peace whatever threat comes.
That peace is what kept the early Christians going when persecution, lies and misrepresentation were an everyday occurrence.
Writing about milk shakes makes me want one, but nothing matches the wonders of all that God can give us if we but seek them out. Why not go for the “whole thing” and help others find those joys also?
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“The grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.”
“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God,”
“Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another,” \
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The Will To Know and To Do
Jesus plainly and specifically declares that only those who do the will of God can enter into the kingdom of heaven. “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name, and by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity,” Matthew 7:21-23. To work iniquity is to speak or to act in an unauthorized manner. Compare with 1 John 3:4, where the Greek term for iniquity, anomia, is found. The privative “a” (without) plus nomos (law), literally means without law or authority.
Joseph Henry Thayer, in commenting on the word anomia, says, “The condition of one without law, -- either because [one is] ignorant of it, or because [one is] violating it.”
One of the most important personal characteristics of any person desiring to learn the will of God is that of attitude. What does one think of the Divine Revelation, namely, the Holy Scriptures? And how does one approach the investigation of any issue involving the will of God (Cf. Proverbs 23:7; Isaiah 55:8,9)?
Jesus, on one occasion, said, “If any man willeth to do his will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or whether I speak from myself,” John 7:17. This is to say that the individual who sincerely desires to do God’s will, shall be able to distinguish between inspired teaching and human thinking (Cf. Matthew 11:25-27; Philippians 3:15,16; John 8:32,32,43,47).
R. C. H. Lenski, in commenting on John 7:17, says, “simply apply the right touchstone,” that is, adopt a sound method of interpretation, and all will be clear. Or, as The Interpreter’s Bible has it, “Our Lord guarantees that if any man is determined to do God’s will, he will find that the teaching of Jesus will be corroborated in his own experience.”
If that which Vincent, Westcott and Robertson say is correct, and there does not appear to be any sound reason for denying their statements, it is vitally important that we understand the meaning of sympathy with the will of God. No one can possibly obey that which the Lord requires, unless one understands the Lord’s will. People do not obey the gospel by accident.
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