WALKING IN THE WAY

John 6:40 7:17

⁴⁰ And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

John 7:17

¹⁷ If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.

How does one know the will of God?  Is this some mystical secret that must be received after dedicated agony and denial in seeking it?  When we look at Jesus’ words in John 6:40 it does not seem so great a mystery.  It appears as if it is as easy as believing the Gospel.

Three requirements for spiritual life are fulfilled when Christ is received by Gospel faith.

A.     John 1:12, 3:16, 6:40 and others.  Salvation is received.  The person who believes Jesus, is a child of God.  This is the clear statement of Scripture.  The only way this can be doubted is either the Scripture is not known or doubt clouds the mind.

Doubt or unbelief is the great enemy of Christians.  Lack of fellowship with God, personal sin without repentance, and ignorance of grace are the most fruitful causes of doubt.

The relief for unbelief is the knowledge of Christ.  His person, work, and present intercession are our only true source of assurance.  The three words of Christ, “It is finished” are doubt removers.

B.      John 5:29, I John 3:23, 5:1-5.  Obedience as the practical test of faith is certain.  There is not faith where the Law of God is not loved and obeyed.  The statements of I John 2:3-4 are far too clear to bother denying and I fail to see that this scripture needs any explaining.  ³ Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. ⁴ He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

With the same exactness that we are informed of our salvation by grace, Ephesians 2:8-9, we are taught that our being is given for the purpose of “good works” Ephesians 2:10.  The Biblical Calvinist might at times be justly accused of being a legalist.  But it is absolute nonsense to accuse him of ignoring or denying God’s Law.

C.      I John 1:3, 3:11, 14-16.  We find in I John 3:23 the first table of the Law is satisfied by faith in Christ.    And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.

So the second table remains.  It seems as if the “faith” is easy to fake.  But this love that extends to our life itself is far more difficult.

Because it is so seldom that life is the issue, John in I John 3:17 gives a far simpler and more common example. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?

The issue is not will you give a kidney, but will you take a bag of groceries to the needy in your community?

Let me try a personal illustration.  I was ready to go to Africa but my health prevented it.  I looked forward to the work and the people but I was not able to go.  I began a voluntary ministry in a Texas prison near us.  Here the real test came.  Could I be faithful to a simple, non-rewarding, but burdensome, and most often unfruitful ministry?  Or would I  say, “God bless you brothers” and stay at home?  I can tell you truthfully I came to love those prisoners with a passion but the trip never became easy.

Ask Ye What Great Thing I Know

Ask ye what great thing I know,
That delights and stirs me so?
What the high reward I win?
Whose the Name I glory in?
Jesus Christ, the Crucified.

What is faith’s foundation strong?
What awakes my heart to song?
He Who bore my sinful load,
Purchased for me peace with God,
Jesus Christ, the Crucified.

Who is He that makes me wise
To discern where duty lies?
Who is He that makes me true
Duty, when discerned to do,
Jesus Christ, the Crucified.

Who defeats my fiercest foes?
Who consoles my saddest woes?
Who revives my fainting heart,
Healing all its hidden smart?
Jesus Christ, the Crucified.

Johann C. Schwedler, translated by Benjamin H. Kennedy