Lazarus Come Forth!

Published on by Slave Of Righteousness Category: Faith, Grace

The true story of Lazarus, the friend of Jesus. John 11:1-44

Jesus loved Mary, Martha and Lazarus, it was obvious what a great love He had for them but His responses and actions may have appeared contrary to those around him. In the opening He is told that Lazarus was sick, what did He do? He stayed an additional 2 days!

THE DOCTRINES OF GRACE

If we were told one of our beloved friends were sick we’d probably leave immediately, right!? Jesus did the opposite and for good reason. He said it was for His glory, did they understand this? He paid no attention to the possible danger of returning to Judea, the disciples thought Lazarus was just naturally asleeo but He told them their friend Lazarus was dead and that He was glad He waited and it so they would believe!

When Martha heard that Jesus arrived, she ran out to meet him, four days had already passed! after four days there is definitely a stench, with Jesus that doesn’t matter. She didn’t get it when He said Lazarus would rise immediately because He is the resurrection! Mary and Martha complained that He didn’t come on time, Jesus was deeply moved by them as well as the others because of lack of belief as well as their sadness.

When He finally got to the tomb, He called Lazarus by name specifically and Lazarus was “drawn” out, he was still bound hands, face and feet! Once in front of Him he told those around him to unbind him so that he can go!

I love this example of how dead we are without Jesus and how it takes a call by name to be made alive and drawn out! Jesus even shows how we are used to participate in the removal of bindings, in a sense a discipling of the one made alive can walk. All people are just as dead as Lazarus until called by Jesus! When called we are drawn out, remember Lazarus was bound and didn’t come out on his own effort or power!

When you are called you are called by name, to be made alive, it’s all Jesus, there is no resisting, only receiving! Praise Jesus for His calling us, making us alive for His glory!

His Eternal Decree and What That Means

Published on by Slave Of Righteousness Category: aseity
THE DOCTRINES OF GRACE

What I’d like to share with you is something that is not easy to understand, nor should it be spoken of as if we understand in absoluteness. This decree of God is actually one decree with many facets, it was a decree that was in agreement within the inter trinitarian Godhead. It was decree was outside of time and actualized in time to the glory of God. Our God is sovereign over all things, not just some things but all things! There is not one thing that is outside of His control and of His knowing it before it’s coming into being.

No molecule is rogue, all things are ultimately under His control. Many question God’s holiness because of the existence of evil, yet even evil’s existence is by God’s permissive will, evil is subject to Him. No one can say that God decreed Himself into being because He has always been, He is the decreer. This is in infinite truth, a truth alien to earthly time as we know it.

We are most familiar with His permissive will, things that happen by secondary causes, causes that do not violate His holiness. Even His permitting of evil or sin does NOT violate His will because it is not the same as being the primary cause of sin or evil. The permitter of sin is not the causer of sin.

Mankind is still responsible for their actions and God is still Holy, without violation to His holiness and good. We may not fully understand this, but we must trust all that the word of God reveals regarding His attributes.

How Are We Declared Righteous?

Published on by Slave Of Righteousness Category: Faith, Grace
THE DOCTRINES OF GRACE

Just as Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness.
Galatians 3:6

Then he believed in Yahweh; and He counted it to him as righteousness. Genesis 15:6

When the discussion arises as to how is one declared righteous, there really is only one correct and final answer, and the answer will always rest and be within the Holy scriptures themselves. Opinions do not matter only proper hermeneutics (Knowledge dealing with interpreting scripture). Biblically speaking there are doctrines throughout the Holy scriptures that are written in “plain text” easily understood and others with proper exegesis (critical explanation or interpretation of a text) can we then conclude with the truth in a particular doctrine.

On To The Declaration!

It is declared that it was counted as righteousness to Abram because he “believed”, it wasn’t merely an acknowledgment it was an established verified confirmed belief! This is a gift given by the Creator of the universe. It comes from Him and given to us! This righteousness is not our righteousness it is the righteousness that comes from God (Philippians 3:9) and is echoed again in Galatians 3:6 that Abraham had a personal trust and reliance belief, not merely a “Oh, I believe it” believability, a credence belief, it was a tangible genuine belief.

Do We Seek God?

The Holy scriptures state that mankind does not seek Him Psalms 14:2-3 “The LORD has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, Who seek after God. They have all turned aside, together they have become corrupt; There is no one who does good, not even one.” It is also written in Romans 3:10-12. We can read 1 Corinthians 2:14 where it says the natural man cannot accept or understand the things of God without the Spirit of God! So in short, The Spirit who is God needs to be in the person to have the ability to examine the word of God rightly.

Faith

It is through faith that one is declared righteous. The initial act of God drawing you to the Son is necessary John 6:44.