The Confidence of Prayer is Obtained by the Recognition of Promise
Christ says, "In that day ye shall ask me nothing" (John 16:23). The questionings would all be answered in the fuller revelation of the Holy Spirit. Christ uses the word in relation to His disciples, in referring to His ministry on their behalf in the frequent formula, "I pray" (John 14:16; 16:26; 17:9, 15, 20). The word "erotao" signifies to "inquire", implying familiarity, being on an equality with one. He was, and He is, continually inquiring of the Father, what is His will in relation to us. The Apostle John uses the word in 1 John 5:16, about the sin unto death: "I do not say he shall pray it," that is, inquire about it. All sin is unto death, but here is a sin which tends directly to death. In the previous sentence we are told there is a sin not into death, for which we may "ask," and that the prayer is answered. Why should not the prayer be answered in each case? The explanation is found in the words used. In the first instance the word used "aiteo" implies the humble petition of an inferior; but the second word "erotao" means to make request as an equal, therefore it is used in an authoritative sense. As Fausett says, "to request for a sin unto death (intercede authoritatively for it, as though we were more merciful than God) savors of presumption; prescribing to God what lies out of the bounds of brotherly yearning (because one sinning unto death is thereby demonstrated not to be truly a brother), how shall He inflict and withhold His righteous judgments. Jesus Himself intercedes, not for the world which hardens itself in unbelief, but for those given to Him out of it." We may humbly intercede for the one who is sinning, but we have not a right to authoritatively ask on uncertain ground. There are times when we may authoritatively make request, that is, to humbly require God to do certain things, provided our authority is based on the authority of God's promise.
The Intercession of Prayer is the Highest Form of Ministry
This thought is embodied in the word "enteuxis", which only occurs twice (1 Timothy 2:1; 4:5). The thought associated with it is, not only interceding for others, but a falling in with another to talk over matters, and for each to ask something from the other, thus to have fellowship.
Combining the two thoughts, do we not get the principle, that he who would plead successfully for others, must be in the place of fellowship with the Lord. If we have the ear of God's attention, through our whole-hearted communion with Himself, we may be sure of the hand of His aid.
George Muller, in his ninety-third year, said, that "every stone in the Homes at Ashley Down was the result of prayer." The same is true in the spiritual life of our character, every grace is the result of prayer, not as the ground of bestowment, but as the secret of obtainment. Our power for others comes from the same source. Rabbi Duncan, the famous professor of Hebrew, confesses that the one thing that won him to Christ was the prayers of Dr. Mearns. It was no logical argument that turned him from atheism, but the influence of a true and reverent believer's prayer, conveying the sense of a living fellowship between him and the object of his worship.
"To talk with God - no breath is lost;
Talk on, talk on!
To walk with God - no strength is lost;
Walk on, walk on!
To wait on God - no time is lost;
Wait on, wait on!
To grind the axe - no work is lost;
Grind on, grind on!
The work is quicker, better done,
Not needing half the strength laid on'
Grind on.
Martha stood - but Mary sat;
Martha murmured much at that;
Martha cared - but Mary heard
Listening to the Master's word,
And the Lord her choice preferred,
Sit on - hear on.
Work without God is labor lost;
Work on, work on!
Full soon you'll learn it to your cost;
Toil on, toil on!
Little is much, when God is in it;
Man's busiest day's not worth God's minute;
Much is little everywhere,
If God the labor do not share;
So work with God, and nothings lost,
Who works with Him, does best and most,
Work on, work on!"
~F. E. Marsh~
(continued with # 6 - "The Call of the Spiritual Life")
No comments:
Post a Comment