Word Count: 1679

Send Article To Friend

Print/Use Article

Contact Dr. Henderson Ward

---

Five Reasons God Takes The First Steps

by Dr. Henderson Ward  
9/28/2016 / Salvation

Here is a compelling statement of truth that few people fully understand. It is a simple statement, but ever so profound, and it is from the most important person to have ever walked this earth. Here it is. "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." (Luke 19:10). Jesus made this statement when he converted a rich publican, named Zacchaeus, who was a short man that went up into a sycamore tree, so that he could see Jesus. The entire mission, and ministry, and life of the 33 year old Jesus Christ was aptly summed up in this one statement.

Jesus went on to demonstrate very publicly what he actually meant, to leave no doubt in anyone's mind. History shows, and the Bible clearly record, that Jesus went on to be severely punished by the authorities, unjustly and viciously crucified on a rough cross at Calvary, was buried in a rich man's tomb, and was resurrected from the dead, leaving an empty tomb as evidence for the world to see. This was Jesus, sacrificing his life to save lost humanity.

Jesus Christ was sent, not called for, not requested out of necessity, but sent. In his last appearance on earth after his resurrection, Jesus said this to his disciples, "Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you." (John 20:21)

God has always taken the first steps to save humanity.

When Adam transgressed in the Garden of Eden, it was God that took the initiative, it was God who came to Adam and asked what was going on, it was God who killed a lamb and clothed the first family, and it was God who made the first promise of redemption, "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." (Genesis 3:15). The seed that was to crush the head of the serpent most assuredly is Jesus Christ the Lord.

When the world had reached a dangerous juncture, when God could have done nothing and let the world disappear into oblivion, like a rotten apple on a tree, God took the initiative once again. He used Noah, and the mighty ark, to give humanity a way of escape. The destructive flood could have been the end of humanity; had God not taken the initiative.

We do not know what would have happened when the world reached its next dangerous nexus, but God intervened yet again, and this time of impending doom, the Bible described God's initiative like this, "But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons." (Galatians 4:4-5)

God habitually takes the first steps to save humanity.

The big question is why.

The truth is, that there are powerful forces acting against us, some of these forces are self-generated, some are born from our humanity, that delude us into believing that there is no escape. The effort it seems is too great, the forces too powerful to overcome, and so we have an excuse to put off.

God intervenes, here are 5 reasons He takes the first steps in the redemptive process, because:

1. The carnal mind is forever opposed to an accurate perception of truth. Fallen man has acquired certain characteristics that prevents him from naturally acquiring certain truths just like the short wave radio band cannot receive long wave transmissions. Notice how some atheist asks us to show them proof of God, and every proof given is mindlessly dismissed. Paul puts it this way, "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." (Romans 8:7) The carnal mind produces false thinking, and false conclusions, and relishes opposing God.

John Gill puts it this way, "because the carnal mind, the wisdom of the flesh, is not only an enemy, but enmity itself against God: against his being; it reasons against it; it wishes he was not; it forms unworthy notions of him; thinks him such an one as itself; and endeavours to bury him in forgetfulness, and erase out of its mind all memorials of him: it is at enmity against his perfections; either denying his omniscience; or arraigning his justice and faithfulness; or despising his goodness, and abusing his grace and mercy" (John Gills Bible Commentary on Romans 8:7)

2. The natural constraint of the human mind and thought processes. However much we wish for it, we know that the pint pot cannot ever know the experience of embracing a gallon measure. This is by no means the fault of the pint pot; it is simply that the pint pot is made to hold one pint, and not one gallon. The Bible says this, "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!" (Romans 11:33) The finite mind of man is not equipped to embrace infinity and the attempt to do so is patently absurd.

People often forget that man was not created a celestial being, like an angel, but a mortal being with all the tools necessary for survival on this terrestrial planet. The glaring fact that man has survived shows the foresight and wisdom of Almighty God. Adam Clarke summed this up, "Who can pretend to penetrate the counsels of God, or fathom the reasons of his conduct? His designs and his counsels are like himself, infinite; and, consequently, inscrutable." (Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary on Romans 11:33.

3. A deficiency in spiritual discernment. This may be due to the presence of sin or lack of the gift of discernment, but in effect it is like marbles in the deep mud that cannot appreciate the beauty of the roses, or like asking a blind man to describe a breathtaking landscape. The mind of man is closed off, shut tight against such enlightenment, and however much he tries, the fog of obscurity is just too great to overcome. And most times man is not trying, because of the other impediments mitigating against his puny efforts. The Apostle Paul put it very well like this, "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:14).

4. The inadequacy of human communication. Too often we hear and use the term "words are inadequate" but in this case this is precisely so. It's like asking the croaking frog to explain the theory of relativity or a pig to describe the first moon landing. Let us face it and be realistic; it just will not happen. Even when we try to transcribe one terrestrial language into another, say from Mandarin Chinese into English, we are stumped because certain Chinese words have no English equivalent and we use an approximation. Paul recognized this when he wrote to the Corinthians and he wrote this, "Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual (1 Corinthians 2:13).

There is a very good reason why communications from God come to us and from us to God via the Holy Spirit for that is a special function of his office as here described:

"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God." (Romans 8:26-27).

5. The resistance to the process of truth revealing. This is like trying to access truth from the source, and just like deep sea exploration, the deeper you go the more pressure you meet; and the more tenuous the results. Let's face it, human beings do not want the truth, or anything associated with it. The preference is for doing exactly as one pleases, and completely ignoring the duties and obligations towards God.

The time was, when every messenger of the gospel was putting his life at risk, whenever he ventured forth to proclaim the message of salvation. Not just people have been resistant to this, but entire organizations and governments. Even today in some countries propagating the gospel of Jesus Christ carries risk.

That resistance to truth revealing can so dominate people that even Christians who are not sufficiently mature can fall victim to it. Jesus recognizes this and so he said this to his disciples, "I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now" (John 16:12). It takes supernatural power to break this resistance and liberate the mind before you can receive spiritual insights.

No one reaches God without God taking the initiative.

Jesus says: "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him." (John 6:44) If you are saved, rejoice, because God came to you through Jesus Christ, and you responded, and you are blessed. If you are pricked in your heart, as the gospel comes to you, then act swiftly, because God is calling, and your heart is still tender. Now is your time for salvation, for God says, "My spirit shall not always strive with man." (Genesis 6:3)

Enough said.

Books by this author you may wish to read.

THINGS EVERY CHRISTIAN SHOULD KNOW (e-book)
Volume 1 Five tough facts to be faced
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004YX5NSI

STAND UP TO THE DEVIL (e-book)
Volume 1 You must first identify him
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005BQVLSS

BASTARD: A STORY OF REDEMPTION(e-book fiction)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006OF3SD6

ONE MINUTE TO MIDNIGHT ON GOD'S CLOCK (Hard copy)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002X78D16

ONE MINUTE TO MIDNIGHT ON GOD'S CLOCK (e-book)
http://tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978-1-60799-630-9

Dr. Henderson Ward received his Doctor of Divinity in theology, with distinction, from Masters International School of Divinity, USA, where he is currently a post-doctoral fellow. Dr. Ward's career involved pastoring, evangelism, and teaching. Copyright 2017

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS

If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be! Click here and TRUST JESUS NOW

Read more articles by Dr. Henderson Ward

Like reading Christian Articles? Check out some more options. Read articles in Main Site Articles, Most Read Articles or our highly acclaimed Challenge Articles. Read Great New Release Christian Books for FREE in our Free Reads for Reviews Program. Or enter a keyword for a topic in the search box to search our articles.

---

Enter comments below. Due to spam, all hyperlinks posted in the comments are now immediately disabled by our system.

Please type the following word below:

Not readable? Change text.

The opinions expressed by authors do not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.

Hire a Christian Writer, Christian Writer Wanted, Christian Writer Needed, Christian Content Needed, Find a Christian Editor, Hire a Christian Editor, Christian Editor, Find a Christian Writer