understanding

diamond

“Some things in [Paul’s] letters are hard to understand, things the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they also do to the rest of the scriptures.” –2 Peter 3:16

Do you find things in scripture “hard to understand”? Paul Washer says, “Join the exclusive club.” Should we expect anything less from the “Most High” who must “stoop to look down on heaven and earth” (Psa 113:4-5)? It is not an easy thing to comprehend the “eternal God” (Isa 40:28) whose power is “awesome” and wisdom is “limitless” (Psa 147:5), from whose mouth comes “everything—both calamity and blessing” (Lam 3:38), whose thoughts and ways are far beyond our comprehension (Job 36:26; Psa 139:6; Isa 55:9).

God’s glorious gospel is a colossal diamond before tiny human beings (ex: Isa 40:15). Yet because men are wicked (Rom 3:10-12) who themselves “walk in darkness” (Isa 9:2), God shrouds His glory (Psa 18:11; Exo 20:21). Yet for those who approach God in true faith (Heb 11:6) diligently seeking His stunning wisdom (Jam 1:5-6) and meekly led by His Spirit (Mat 5:5; Rom 8:12-15), they have their true sight restored (2Co 5:7; Luke 18:42; 24:31). By the light of God’s word (Psa 119:105), God illuminates one glorious facet at a time (Exo 33:18-23). He transforms a mundane mind (Rom 12:2) into “the mind of Christ” capable of understanding glorious truths (1Co 2:14-16). He removes spiritual scales from our eyes (Acts 9:18) and reveals things too wonderful to behold (Job 42:3-6; Psa 139:6).

O God, bless us this day with new insight. Show us just a facet of your glory!

Billy Neal

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”

Jesus said to them, “Have you understood all these things?” — Matthew 13:47-51.

Men, “The Kingdom is like a dragnet.” The net was cast into the sea and it gathered of every kind. The whole catch is drawn ashore, and afterwards is sorted. The good is gathered into vessels and the bad is thrown away as it will be at the end of the age. Angels will come and separate the wicked from the just and cast them into the furnace. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. This net is cast over and catches “fish” of every kind, without discrimination. Jew, Gentile, young, old, male and female, good and bad will be hauled in. Angels will do the sorting.

The sea is the world. The net is the gospel of Jesus and of the Kingdom. This net of the gospel will reach every nation and tongue. All will be judged by the blood of Jesus. Angels will collect those who accept His payment over our lives into “vessels” and those who have rejected will be discarded into a place of fire, crying and hostility.

Jesus asks the disciples, “Have you understood all these things?” They answered “yes”.

Have we understood these things? What is your answer?

We are continuing to draw nearer to “shore” where the sorting time shall begin. Some argue that it may have already be beginning. Could this be the time Jude 22-23 speaks of “snatching some from the fire”? Be it by compassion or by fear, compel men appropriately since the time of sorting is in fact coming

Move forward, men, testifying of His gospel in our time. Bad can be turned to good even while we are hauled ashore, perhaps even while the sorting has begun. But once a judgment has been rendered there is no appeal. We who believe and love as Jesus loves should be compelled to action by these parables.

Let’s go to work.

Vance Durrance

Tag: understanding

THE DIAMOND

Dragnet