Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
JUDE 1:3 KJV
As the world gets darker in sin and wickedness, light must of necessity shine brighter. Like the star that shined at night when the Lord Jesus was born, leading the wise men to the King, Matthew 2:1-2, the Lord is in the business of raising sons of Abraham by faith who are as the stars in the heaven and will pull many searching for truth to Jesus. These men are those who will protect the apostolic heritage, the faith. This faith was what John spoke about in 1 John 1:1-2, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; [2] (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)“. These men also will have a similar experience to preserve the truth for their generation.
Yesterday, we explored some of the characteristics of the saints of old who preserved the gospel from the time of Adam, men who were honored to have their names marked in the hall of faith shown in Hebrews 11. Seeing that we desire to be part of this company, we examined some of their attributes and will continue with that today.
- Like Abraham, they have the promise and walk in that reality with a mark of circumcision. Abraham was called to leave his fathers and mothers house to a land different from where he knew and his reward for obedience was the promise that he would be the father of many generations, Genesis 12:1-4. Abraham left along with his family, bringing many along to be partakers of that promise. Though this promise tarried, his heart posture and life was already patterned like one who has the promise of God. Part of his identity as one separated from Haran was the mark of circumcision. This was what seperated him from all others that were around him. For us, we have been called out of darkness into God’s glorious light and the command of circumcision is for us a matter of the heart, 1 Peter 2:9. This circumcision is done by the Word of God and unites our hearts to fear the Lord. Those who have the promise to be partaker of the divine realities walk in the light as God is in the light, putting away works of darkness, Romans 13:12.
- Like Abraham, they do not forget their first love. After God gave Abraham the promise, because it would be that Abraham will father many generations, his mind needed to be focused on the promise giver and not the child he had just received. God came to test Abrahams faithfulness, demanding for the child he had just given him, the promised seed, Genesis 22. Abraham had in mind who his devotion was to and who his first love was. He was willing to lay down even this child for God to show his alleigance. These men who will preserve this faith must be tested to show their alleigance. Not even the things that are part of the promise of God, like family, fincances, ministry, etc, should stand in the way. Jesus said if a man loves his wife, children, parents or brethren more than Him, he is not fit for the kingdom, Luke 14:26-27. Every mans allegiance will be tested.
- These men have their hearts set on Pilgrimage: These mens life sings the words “the cross before me, the world behind me”. Their eyes are set on things above, their heart beats for the Living God. Because they set the Lord always before them, they will not be moved. Abraham had riches, but would rather live in tents as opposed to building a city of his own, because of the promise. Moses forsook the right to be Pharoah because he had seen the Him who was invisible. He would rather suffer reproach with the people of God than enjoy the pleasures of Egypt even for a moment, Hebrews 11:23-27. These men have their eyes set on higher ground and an enemy to them is anything that seeks to turn their eyes anywhere else. They seek a city whose builder and maker is God.
One key characteristic of these saints is that they saw God, touched him, handled him, and were convinced of the reality of Him who is invisible. If you have not seen Jesus, it is impossible to testify of Him. Note that people may see Jesus physically, but not be convinced of who He is, consider the Pharisees and even Judas Iscariot. The seeing that can hold a person firm in the faith, therefore, is seeing through the eyes of faith. Seeing Jesus is by the Word of God. The good news is that as many as seek Him diligently and with all of their hearts will find Him.
Prayer for today: Lord Jesus, thank you for the revelation of Your Word to me. Lord my world needs to see Jesus and I volunteer myself to be a part of those who will be as a bright shining star to turn many to righteousness. I cannot, however, show people Him who I have not seen. Open the eyes of my understanding that I may see You who is invisible. I want to hear, see, gaze upon, and handle of You, The Word of Life.
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