In Remembrance of Him

2007-03-10

In a sermon recently, it was said that the enemy often tempts people by questioning one of three areas of God’s relationship to humankind: His provision, His protection, or His purpose. Testing can be used by God to refine us into more godly people, while the enemy (Satan and his minions) uses temptation with the intent to destroy (see 2 Samuel 24:1; 1 Chronicles 21:1; Matthew 4; Luke 4; James 1:13-15).

As I reflected on some of these points, certain questions came to mind. What are God’s provision, protection, and purpose? Knowing something about this vital question will help us know God better and help us to be content in our circumstances.

God’s provision is found in the delivering of His Son to death so that all of the world’s sins can be paid for and forgiven. When one ponders the world system (and sadly, often churches), there are seemingly different classes of citizens. There are those have exceedingly great wealth and power, there are those who are absolutely downtrodden, and there are all kinds of people in between these extremes. There are also those who are considered righteous and virtuous, and those who are considered malevolent and repulsive. But God saw that we are all the same. There is no human power that rivals God, no wealth that impresses Him, no righteousness that obligates Him to grant anyone special merit. We as human beings were all helpless, malevolent, and repulsive before Him, for we were born into sin and into a dying world destined for fire. Adolf Hitler and Mother Teresa are in the same boat, just as we all are. But His Son Jesus Christ, who came from heaven, suffered and died, taking away our rightful punishment. He rose from the dead, demonstrating His power over death. It is over. Jesus took care of our biggest problem: our helplessness before God.

God does protect people. Think of this: “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over” (Psalm 23:5). What are those enemies the Psalmist talks about? David had a lot of troubles in his life. He was either fleeing from Saul or from Absalom, his own son. But Paul gives more insight as to these enemies of ours: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12). Yet He gives us protection, and though sometimes things seem like they are out of God’s hands, He is in control. Whatever happens, Jesus said, “I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand” (John 10:28). Whatever is not secure in this life, our salvation in Jesus will always be secure.

What is God’s purpose? Whatever it is, His purpose must also be our purpose, for the Scripture says that Creation exists and was created “for thy [God’s] pleasure” (Revelation 4:11). His purpose is to be glorified in His Creation. We belong to Him and He created us to be used by Him.

So what is the problem? The information written above is not anything new to anyone who knew Christ for any length of time. Why do we succumb to temptation? According to Romans 12:1-2, we are to be living sacrifices and be transformed by renewal of the mind. Now the number of commentators, pastors, and how many other followers of Christ who have quoted this verse is beyond counting. However, the truth of this verse is very profound, if one can back up and look at it with a fresh perspective.

The first key phrase of this verse is “living sacrifice.” What exactly is a living sacrifice? The adjective “living” is intentionally placed there because for centuries past sacrifices were always dead. From the animal in the Garden of Eden in Genesis 3:21 to the Temple sacrifices in the first century A.D., all of these animals were killed. When Jesus was offered up as a sin sacrifice, He put an end to all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:18). Nothing else needs to be offered to God because Jesus was sacrificed once for all time for all people. Then Jesus rose from the dead: He is alive forevermore. But now, with a life of gratitude and a desire to serve Him who gave His life for us, we offer the new life He gives us in the Spirit to serve Him.

Now this second verse: “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” There are two diametric opposites: conformity and transformation. The former sets aside any consideration that Jesus made any difference in the life of the believer. The latter provides for allowing His Spirit to work. The main problem with the human mind is that it is exceedingly forgetful. We remember daily routines and repetition. We forget who we were before we met Jesus. Without a mind that remembers the significance of the Lord’s death and resurrection and the vision He has for the world, we are only mindful of the sinful patterns that govern all the thoughts of sinful humankind.

Another interesting phrase: “that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” To whom are we proving this perfect will of God? Most importantly, we prove to ourselves what God’s will is. Is God’s will something mystical, as if we need to literally hear His voice? His desires are already written in the Word. The forms and situations may be different (e.g. should I go into the ministry or do this or that?), but we know His will in the Word (e.g. the Great Commission, loving people unconditionally, etc.).

Think also about Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Though the Holy Spirit is already at work in our lives, we can optimally be changed if we heed the Spirit, and are content in Jesus Christ as the One who fulfilled our ultimate, real need. We must always know and remember God’s provision, protection, and purpose, for the restless enemy is counting on our forgetfulness so that he may find a small victory.