DN Penetrating the Box 12/3/2007
- From: Peter G. Chase <pchase@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 03 Dec 2007 00:02:20 -0500
DRAWING NEAR
December 3
Penetrating the Box
"God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in
many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to
us in His Son" (Heb. 1:1-2).
Man can't discover God on his own; God must reveal Himself to man.
Since the beginning of time, man has deceived himself by thinking he
can discover God through various religions. But in reality, man lives
in a box enclosed within the walls of time and space. God is outside
the box, and man senses He's there but can't get to Him. Each new
religion is but another futile attempt to penetrate the walls of the
box and catch a glimpse of God.
Man's only hope is for God to enter the box, which Hebrews 1:1-2
declares He did: first by letter (the Old Testament), then in person
(in Jesus Christ). Regarding God's Word David said, "The Spirit of
the Lord spoke by me, and His word was on my tongue" (2 Sam. 23:2).
Jeremiah added, "The Lord stretched out His hand and touched my
mouth, and the Lord said to me, 'Behold, I have put My words in your
mouth'" (Jer. 1:9). Of Christ, the apostle John said, "The Word
became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as
of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. . . .
No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten God, who is in the
bosom of the Father, He has explained Him" (John 1:14, 18).
The irony of people thinking they can discover God on their own is
that apart from the Holy Spirit's leading, no one really wants to
find Him. They merely want to add a cosmic good luck charm to their
lives or satiate their guilty consciences. Paul said, "There is none
righteous, not even one; there is none who understands, there is none
who seeks for God" (Rom. 3:10-11).
God could have left us in our sin and ignorance, but He penetrated
the box and revealed everything we need to know for redemption and
fellowship with Him. What a privilege we have to study His Word and
live by its principles! Be diligent to do so each day.
Suggestion for Prayer:
Praise God for granting you the ability to appreciate His Word.
For Further Study:
Read 1 Corinthians 2:6-16, noting how natural (unregenerate) people
respond to divine revelation.
Drawing Near, Copyright 1993 John F. MacArthur, Jr.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
http://www.gty.org
~~~
1 Corinthians 2:6-16 (NKJV)
6 However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the
wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to
nothing.
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom
which God ordained before the ages for our glory,
8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known,
they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
9 But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have
entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for
those who love Him."
10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the
Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.
11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the
man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except
the Spirit of God.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit
who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely
given to us by God.
13 These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom
teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things
with spiritual.
14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of
God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because
they are spiritually discerned.
15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is
rightly judged by no one.
16 For "who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct
Him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
These devotions are posted with permission from John MacArthur's
first (1993) devotional work, _Drawing Near_, and they are also sent
out daily for free to several folks via e-mail.
In addition, John's second (1997) devotional, _Strength for Today_,
is also available free via e-mail only. _Strength for Today_ follows
the same format as what you have seen here from _Drawing Near_, but
with different monthly themes.
If you would like to receive daily devotions via e-mail from either
of these series, just let me know (via e-mail), and I will gladly add
you to the list(s) of your choice.
You can hear John MacArthur daily via the Internet by visiting:
http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/Grace_to_You/
and
http://www.gty.org.uk/
You may email John MacArthur in care of Grace to You at:
letters@xxxxxxx
NOTE for those of you reading via newsgroups: If you wish to reach
me, please contact me via e-mail for quickest results.
In Christ,
Peter
Peter G. Chase :: Columbus, Ohio, USA
pchase@xxxxxxxxxx
STOP! Who do you think Jesus is?
http://www.gty.org/Gospel
http://www.gty.org/
http://www.nwbible.org/
There is a living God. He has spoken in His word. He means just what he says, and will do all that He has promised. - Hudson Taylor
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