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His Ways

The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. - Psalm 145:17

     The LORD said through the prophet Isaiah, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isa 55:8-9)  In every generation, natural men have assumed that GOD is altogether such a one as themselves. (see Ps.50:21)  They fashion god in their minds after their own desires.  They consider that this god or gods (as the case may be) is limited by certain parameters just like they are limited by certain bounds and laws.  They worship and serve the creature more than the CREATOR.

    Yet the scripture plainly reveals that the true and living GOD is bound by nothing except HIS own good pleasure and will perform it in every jot and tittle.  HE is subject to no law or principle except those to which HE determines and is pleased to manifest HIMSELF to men in light of.  The principle of evil cannot exist except that it be ordained of GOD and GOD can in no wise be “accused” of evil, regardless of how or what men may consider evil to be, since it is ordained by HIM to accomplish HIS purpose.  “I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.” (Isa 45:7)

  Even GOD’s creation of evil cannot be said to be evil because evil cannot exist except it be ordained of GOD to fulfill HIS own will, and as the Psalmist says, “The LORD is righteous in all HIS ways.”   So there is no context in which men could ever rightly question the doings of GOD nor can they in any wise “accuse” HIM of “evil” since an “accusation” (in order to be valid) must be brought by one who can hold the “accused” accountable to some standard of right and wrong. This is true even though HE has clearly stated that all evil exists according to the good pleasure of HIS will, to fulfill HIS purpose in the earth.  “Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?” (Isa 45:9)

   GOD will have glory in all things.  “The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.” (Pro 16:4)  Can any man cavil and rail against the ALMIGHTY because HE chooses to create some men as reprobates, (i.e. vessels of wrath; see  Rom.9:20-23) and some as HIS elect (i.e.; vessels of mercy)?   The answer is no according to Paul in Rom. 9:20.

    Yet this fact does not stop wicked men from gnashing their teeth against the truth and railing against those who proclaim a Sovereign and unaccusable GOD.   Our LORD rejoiced in this very truth as HE exclaimed, “I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.” (Luke 10:21)

    The Psalmist goes on to say that HE is “holy in all HIS works”.  The concept of “holiness” is one which denotes the fact that, that which is  “holy” is set apart from all else.   This is illustrated in the vision of Isaiah in the year of king Uzziah’s death, “In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.” (Isa 6:1-3)  Holiness is not merely an “attribute” of GOD (among many others) but is the very essence of GOD’s existence wherein HE is completely set apart from man or any of HIS creation.

    Paul declared exactly the same thing when he said of HIM, “Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power everlasting. Amen.” (1Tim 6:16)   GOD is completely inapproachable by men and HE alone is “immortal and invisible” (I Tim.i:17)   HE alone had no beginning.  All of HIS creation comes from HIM and exists only because of HIS good pleasure. 

   In writing to the Colossians Paul stated this of CHRIST, “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. (Col 1:15-17)   Being before all things there is nothing that could “co-exist” with HIM except HIMSELF.  All else was brought forth to fulfill HIS purpose.

   The revelation of that purpose is a most glorious one which is set forth to manifest HIS redemption of a people upon whom HE has set HIS love from everlasting.  HE has caused it to be declared from one end of the earth to the other.  “And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles. And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the LORD out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the LORD, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD. And I will also take of them for priests and for Levites, saith the LORD. For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.” (Isa 66:19-22)

    This declaration is no less than the very gospel of JESUS CHRIST which is sent forth into the earth to manifest HIS glory.   The LORD has loved HIS own from before the foundation of the world and will bring them out of the darkness and into the light of HIS glorious presence through no work of their own, but by HIS own power and outstretched arm.  “And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.” (Isa 42:16)

    Though HE did, according to HIS purpose, make HIS people “subject unto vanity” (Rom.8:20) and “by nature the children of wrath even as others” (Eph.2:3), and “under the curse of the law” (Gal.3:13), HE did so that HE might manifest their redemption by CHRIST.  “And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” (Col 2:13-15)  “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom 5:8)  “Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God: Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth forever: Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners: The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous: The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down. The LORD shall reign forever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the LORD.”(Psa 146:5-10)                                                                                                                                                                   

Topics: Church Bulletin Articles Gospel Distinctives
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