How do we compare these verses in John 15 with the verses in Revelation 22:14 where Jesus said, "Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city"? That's been a strong and encouraging text to many church members, and has boyed up their spirits for a long time. Modern translations render these words, "Blessed are they that wash their robes,", which is different and doesn't sit well with some people, but is part of the ancient manuscripts; and we need to accept their rendering too--in fact, it is the same thing.
How would you compare and explain these two verses of Scripture? What was being said? Jesus said, "Without Me, ye can do nothing" John 15:5. He also said, "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me"
John 15:4. In Revelation 22:14 we find, "Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life." How do we integrate these two? Are they a paradox? Are they contradictory? Can they be harmonize? How can they be harmonized?
Now in and of ourselves, it is utterly impossible for us to keep the commandments of God; anyone who thinks he can is fooling himself; and it is ridiculous to try the impossible! The Jews were a good example of this, for at the same time that they were teaching the law they were seeking to kill Him. Though they believed the law that said "Thou shalt not kill," they were still plotting to take His life even at that very moment. Such is the outcome of man's ridiculous reasoning when he tries to carry out divine principles on his own. Divine principles can only be carried out as the Holy Spirit lives and guides and interprets in our experience that which is right and true.
Notice Mark 12:29-31, where it states: Jesus answered him, "The first of all the commandments is, Hear O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord, and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment."
Do you see that this is the first commandment of the ten, in expanded form? Being honest, are you able to keep that commandment? Of course not! It is utterly impossible. Only as the Holy Spirit does this in and through you is it possible; you simply can't. But you can choose to do it; you can set your will to do it. That is why the Christian life is lived totally in the "will," and not in the "way".
Rather the human directs the "will", and the "way" becomes directed by the Holy Spirit. But that is precisely where we fall down, for we try to do God's part, and want God to do our part.
Wow! That is profound, I had to pray over that to be able to understand what he was saying there.
Here's how I get it, Our part is to turn our will over to God's will and His part is to direct the way we live our lives. What we do, what we say, every part of our life is to be directed by the Holy Spirit, that is why it is so important to turn our will over to Him the very first thing in the morning. Now I'm understanding this important message. More tomorrow, I can't wait! Grandma Joan
No comments:
Post a Comment