That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace. Ephesians 2:7.
Disobedience has closed the door to a vast amount of knowledge that might have been gained from the Word of God. In eternity we shall learn that which, if we had received the enlightenment that it was possible for us to obtain here, would have opened our understanding. And understanding means obedience to all God’s commandments. The plan of God’s government would have been understood. The heavenly world would have opened its chambers of grace and glory for exploration. Human beings would have been altogether different from what they now are in form, in speech, in song, for, by exploring the mines of truth, they would have been ennobled. The mystery of redemption, the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ in His mediatorial character, the incarnation of Christ our Redeemer, His atoning sacrifice, would not be, as they now are, vague in our mind. They would have been, not only better understood, but altogether more highly appreciated.
These themes will employ the hearts and minds and tongue of the redeemed through the everlasting ages, and new developments of them will be opened up, which Christ longed to open to His disciples, but which they did not have faith to seek and grasp. Forever and ever, new views of the perfection and glory of Christ will appear.
Men of decided piety and talent catch views of eternal realities, but they are not understood, because the things that are seen eclipse the glory of the unseen. By many, man’s wisdom is thought to be higher than the wisdom of the divine Teacher. So God’s Lesson Book, containing treasure, is looked upon as old-fashioned, so much so as to be thought tame and stale. But it is not so regarded by those who have been quickened and vivified by the Holy Spirit. They see the priceless treasure, and would sell all to buy the field that contains it….
Many drink at the low, turbid waters of the valley, having forsaken the fountain of living water, the pure, snow-water of Lebanon. But those who make the Word of God their study, those who dig for the treasures of truth, will appreciate the weighty principles taught, and will digest them. As a result, they will themselves become imbued with the Spirit of Christ, and by beholding, they will become changed into His likeness. Those who appreciate the Word will teach like disciples who have been sitting at the feet of Jesus, and have accustomed themselves to learn of Him, that they might know Him whom to know aright is life eternal.—Manuscript 45, March 30, 1898, 45, “Hidden Treasure.”
The Upward Look p. 103
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Prayer Requests
—-I just got a call that Milt situation was getting worse. We know God will heal. Please continue to pray for Him. Arlene
—-Please pray for my post open heart, she’s bleeding a lot. Emerson
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Dear Friends,
Once while perusing the computer, I saw a news item about Leonardo da Vinci. My curiosity got the better of me and I read the short article which stated that the artist/inventor often left food-laden fingerprints on his work. From these fingerprints they hope to find out what he ate and even the nationality of his mother.
How often we leave “fingerprints” wherever we go, by whatever we do, upon whomever we meet. All too often, these “fingerprints” stain all that we touch just as surely as did Leonardo’s. Moreover, these stains we have left in our part of the “painting of life” are recorded in our record book in Heaven. (Rev 20:12) Once there, we cannot hide them, we cannot remove them no matter how hard we try. David sang of his experience when he tried to hide his sins, “When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer.” Ps 32:3,4 Holding on to our sin can only bring us pain. Clinging to our iniquity can only bring disaster. Indeed, if we regard iniquity in our heart, the Lord will not hear our prayers. (Ps 66:18) Isaiah tells us, “Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” Isa 59:1,2
Praise God! We do not have to stay in this condition. The goodness of God leads us to repentance. (Rom 2:4) He has given “His Only Begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 Therefore, “seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” Isa 55:6,7 John writes, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” 1 John 1:9-2:6
Let us confess and forsake the “fingerprints” of sin that we have left upon all we have “touched.” While the door of mercy is still open, let us come to the One Who can remove those smudges. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Cor 6:2 Let us pray as did David, “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: . . . Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.” Psa 51:1-13
Rose