Gates of the City

There is no question that God is mystical, for even scriptures confirms “great is the mystery of godliness.” But even greater than the mystical aspect of God, which exist only because of our own ignorance as finite beings, is the absolute Majesty of God. Over thirty years ago, after one of several major times of failings in my faith(fulness), God established a precept of faith in my life concerning faith, which has a sure foundation in His majesty and no footing in the mystical. The consequence of this revelation caused me to coin the phrase, “God is not mystical, He is majestic.”

Of course, many have rebuffed my comment, asking me if I think I fully know God and understand all His ways, to which of course I readily admit that I do not.  However, my comment was not stated with the wide spectrum with which the word “mystical” can be used, but primarily with the way it is most commonly used in these latter times whereby the unholy leaven of the New Age has been encroaching in upon the purity of the holy Gospel of Jesus Christ. For many understand mystical, or mystic, in the since of magical; not too differently than they understand sorcery and witchcraft. This “mystical” is the willful desire and attempt to manipulate the normal by “supernatural” means; through the use of chantings, spells and performance of certain rituals.

Many might think no such thing is happening within Christendom, but you would truly be surprise how many “obey the word” only to try and get what they want, instead of their obedience being a true delighting to do the will of God.

Psalm 40:8 – I delight to do Your will, O my God. Yea, Your law is within my heart.

Psalm 119:16 – I will delight myself in Your statutes: I will not forget Your word.

Psalm 119:47 – And I will delight myself in Your commandments, which I have loved.

Many “believers,” who are “ever learning” and never able to “come to a knowledge of the truth,” religiously say their prayers not too differently from those who do their mystical chantations, and close their prayers saying “in Jesus name.” as if it is the “cadabra” completing their “abracadabra.” They use Jesus name as a thing, and not as a sure testimony of their faith in His majestic authority and power over all things in their lives.

Hebrews 11:6 – But without faith it is impossible to please Him. For he that would come to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

It is here alone where the faith of the Christian can rest secure and unshakable, in God’s absolute majesty, as well as in His holy character. For we are told in scripture that God is love, God is good, God is long-suffering, God is patient, God is all powerful, God’s mercies are as high as heaven, God is holy, and ultimately, that He is perfect in righteousness, rewarding those who properly and diligently seek Him. We are repeatedly taught and shown in scripture that we can be certain that the Judge of the whole Earth shall surely do that which is right concerning all things and all people.

Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?

This is the confidence of our faith, even when we do not understand the mysterious workings of the Lord. He alone is a holy and righteous God, who by His word discerns the very intent and motive of every heart, be it angelic or human; and in his Providence overrides the plans of the foolish for the eternal benefit of His own glory and creation.

Scripture assures mankind that God will purge the world of all evil, for evil is a temporary thing that cannot abide for eternity. Evil is not always wickedness, otherwise the scriptures would not mention how at times God purposed to do evil toward His own people.

Jeremiah 26:3 – If so be they will hearken, and turn every man from his evil way, that I may repent Me of the evil, which I purpose to do unto them because of the evil of their doings.

Evil is simply intent or performance of will, or the necessary action of a holy God, which are contrary to God’s preferred will. With men, it is their electing to do evil, even if it is “right and their own eyes.” With God, it is the administration of His righteous judgment. God will and must reward the contrary actions of men’s thoughts and actions, and conclude, or end all that is contrary to his Holiness and preferred will.

Jeremiah 24:6 For I will set Mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I will build them, and not pull them down; and I will plant them, and not pluck them up.

Jeremiah 42:10 – If you will still abide in this land, then will I build you, and not pull you down, and I will plant you, and not pluck you up: for I repent me of the evil that I have done unto you.

It is God’s preferred will that no man perishes, and God clearly states He has no pleasure in the death of the wicked. Such is why we are told not only to “be holy,” but also to be “perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord,” for “without Holiness no man shall see God.”

Those that God has discerned to be righteous or evil of the world will be treated by Him very similarly the way our bodies treat that which we consume. For the most part, our digestive systems remove that which is beneficial for the strength and building up of the body, and that which cannot contribute to the body’s well-being is expelled as waste. Such is why the Bible says there is a difference between the wheat and the chaff, as well as the reference in Isaiah where God clearly says concerning his enemies, that He will ease Himself, which clarification from Deuteronomy.

Isaiah 1:24 – Therefore says the Lord, the LORD of hosts, the mighty One of Israel, “Ah, I will ease Me of Mine adversaries, and avenge Me of Mine enemies.”

Deuteronomy 23:12 – You shall have a place also without the camp, where you shall go forth abroad:  13 And you shalt have a paddle upon your weapon; and it shall be, when you ease yourself there, you shall dig therewith, and turn back and cover that which came from you. 14 For the LORD your God walks in the midst of your camp to deliver you, and to give up your enemies before you. Therefore, your camp shall be holy, that He see no unclean thing in you and turn away from you.

These verses are intended to give mankind clear warning that the time is coming when God will forever ease Himself by removing from His holy presence all who would not faithfully be assimilated into His Kingdom. Such is the purpose of His majestic great white throne of judgment; for the Lord has stated He will reward both the righteous and the wicked according to their works and make both a new heaven and a new Earth wherein only the righteous can dwell. Such wording warns that there indeed is a pit called hell for the wicked to be shunned.

Romans 2:4 – Do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? 5 But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who “will render to each one according to his deeds”: 7 eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, [they have only God’s] indignation and wrath, 9 tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; 10 but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 11 For there is no partiality with God.

It is not in the mystical things pertaining to God, but in all His divine attributes, whereby we are to learn and see that He is indeed wholly worthy of all glory, honor, power, and praise. For it is evident that God so loved the world in that He gave us His only begotten Son, that we all might be saved from our sin, and not merely delivered from hell. Hell is the righteous consequence of sin remaining in us, and heaven the reward for whosoever truly believes Him, and not just “in” Him; with the distinction being the surrendering of their lives to Him, serving Him for who He is, and trusting that He will do all He has promised to do. Those who so do alone have the surety of God’s word of being saved from the wrath to come. This is the truth that sets men free, and if Jesus sets you free, you are free indeed. Go with purpose to sin no more while trusting only in the righteousness of Jesus Christ.

How can anyone think all this is not the greatest testimony of God’s grace and His mercies? Again, such as why we are told we must be holy, for without holiness no man shall stand before God on favorable terms. Absolutely, our holiness is founded alone upon the atoning blood of Jesus Christ who died for our sins, but our holiness is then to be perfected, or made complete through faith. True holiness is evident by works of righteousness, which alone brings forth fruit unto holiness; and holiness has its promised end, everlasting life. There is no other foundation that can be laid for the salvation of man, and we are all warned to take heed how we build upon that foundation. God gave us His Son to forgive us for our sins with the purpose and intent that we should become partakers of His divine nature.

Romans 6:22 – But now being made free from sin and have become servants to God, you now have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

John 8:31 – Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, “If you continue [abide] in My word, then are you My disciples indeed. 32 And [then] you shall [truly] know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

John 15:7 – If you abide [continue] in Me, and My words abide [continue] in you, you may ask what you will and it shall be done for you. 8 Herein is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit [abound in holiness]; for then you shall be My disciples.

So, I ask the following for your honest and prayerful consideration, are you trusting only in the omnipotent Majesty and wisdom of God who has afforded all mankind such a bounty of His mercy and grace? Or are you foolishly hoping that, somewhere in the mystical aspects of godliness, you will not be found to be abiding among the worthless chaff instead of with the wheat?

You must choose to follow Christ, and that requires you to pick up your own cross and deny yourself, if you are to truly be one of His disciples. For a disciple is one who endeavors to live under the discipline of his Master and chooses not to do what is right in their own eyes. Therefore, we must acknowledge our own nearsighted wisdom, the vanity of our emotions and appetites, and follow Jesus Christ in the light of His words. Knowing the certainty of eternity, where will you spend yours?

You must be born again. You must become a new creature. You must be holy. To be such you must purposely co-labor with God’s Holy Spirit and put on Christ. You must learn how to “obey the truth through the Spirit” if Christ is ever going to truly acknowledge that the kingdom of God was indeed in you. You need an ear to hear what the Spirit is saying to the Churches if you are going to be among the overcomers in Christ. The overcomers have the yea and the amen of God’s promises in Christ.

Are you fighting the fight of faith? Are you running the race as if only one person can win it? Are you seeking to complete that for which God created you? Are you striving to accomplish the purposed for which you were saved? Are you acknowledging His promise that in Jesus Christ all is afforded to you, both the wherewithal and instructions to finish the unique work He has chosen you to do? No one is born into this world without a divine calling and purpose whereby they can serve God and truly be His delight; wherein He will Joy over them with singing and resting eternally in His love for them.

So, do you have His Spirit within you? For Christ in us is our only hope of glory, and if any do not have the Spirit of Christ in them, they are not His. To be a Christian is like being six months pregnant, you know something is growing in you, and there is a joyful anticipation that a new life will soon burst forth.

1 John 3:24 – They that keep His commandments dwell in Him, and He in them. And hereby we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit which He has given us.

Please, consider what manner of person you are, and the direction you have been living your life. Are your eyes set on eternity and heavenly things, or on the worldly here and now things? For know this, those who have true faith and trust in the King of Glory will purposely live for the glory of the King. Is this you?