Enjoying God's Best # 2

Enjoying God's Best # 2

Before considering those just requirements of God which must be met, if we are to enjoy His best, let us point out that the particular aspects of truth which is here engaging our attention concerns not the divine decrees - but rather, the divine government: for the one consists solely for the exercise of God's sovereign will, whereas the other is concerned also with the discharge of our responsibility. In no sense whatever is there the slightest failure in God's accomplishment of His eternal purpose -either as a whole, or in any of its parts. But in many respects, God's people fail to possess their possessions and enjoy those privileges and blessings to which the blood of Christ entitles them.

This subject presents no difficulty to the writer, except the findings of suitable language to accurately express his thoughts; nor should it to the reader. The formation and the effectuation of God's eternal decrees are in no way affected by man: he can neither delay nor hasten the same. But the present government of this world by God is, in large measure, affected and determined by the actions of men (His own people included), so that in this life, they are, to a very considerable extent, made to reap according as they sow - both in spirituals and in temporals.

It is not sufficiently realized that the Bible has far, very far, more to say about this present lie - than it has about the future one; that it makes known the secrets of temporal felicity - as well as everlasting bliss. Granted that the latter is of immeasurably more importance than the former - yet the one is the prelude to the other; and unless God is our satisfying portion here - He certainly will not be so hereafter.

In their zeal to tell men how to escape from hell and make sure of heaven - many evangelical preachers have had all too little to say upon our conduct on earth; and consequently, many who entertain no doubts whatever that they will inhabit a mansion in the Father's house, are not nearly so much concerned about their present walk and warfare as they should be; and even though they reach their desired haven, such slackness results in great loss to them now!

The teaching of Holy Writ is the very reverse of the plan followed by many an "orthodox pulpit"! It not only gives much prominence to - but in Old and New Testament alike - its main emphasis is on our life in this world - giving instruction how we are to conduct ourselves, here and now. "Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus!" (1 Thess. 4:1-2). "Give the people these instructions, too - so that no one may be open to blame!" (1 Timothy 5:7).

In like manner, there has been a grievous departure from the Analogy of Faith in the presentation of the attitude of God and His conduct towards men. Few indeed who have stressed the sovereignty of God have given even a proportionate place to His governmental dealings - either with nations or with individuals, the elect or the reprobate. Yet for every passage in His Word which speaks of God's eternal counsels, there are scores which describe His time dealings; and for every verse which alludes to God's secret or decretive will, there are a hundred which describe His revealed or perceptive will.

Blessed indeed is it to ponder God's predesinating grace; equally important is it that we study those principles which regulate His providential dealings with us.

The governmental ways of God - that is, His dealings with us in this life, both in our spiritual and temporal affairs - are determined by something more than an arbitrary sovereignty. God has established an inseparable connection between our conduct and its consequences, and He acts in such a way toward us as to make manifest the pleasure He takes in righteousness, and to give encouragement to those  performing it; as He evidences His displeasure against the unrighteous and makes us to smart for the same.

It is a very great and serious mistake to conceive of the sovereignty of God as swallowing up all His perfections, and to attribute all His actions unto the mere exercise of  His imperial will. Holy Writ does not; nor should we do so. Instead, much is said therein of God's acting both in mercy and righteousness, for they are the chief principles which regulate His governmental ways. It is true that God's mercy is shown by mere prerogative (Romans 9:18) - but not so with His righteousness. God can no more suspend the operation of His righteousness, than He can cease to be. "For the righteous Lord loves righteousness" (Psalm 11:7); "The Lord is righteous in all His ways" (Psalm 145:17); "Righteousness and judgment are the habitation of His throne" (Psalm 97:2).

~A. W. Pink~

(continued with # 3)