Probation!
V24 n21
In last weeks newsletter, we were able to see how unique and special mankind is to God. And we know this because we can see in His Word that He said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” And it says also, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”
After
man was placed in the garden, God gave him specific instructions of what they
could and could not do.
Gen 2:15-17, 15 And the LORD God took the man, and
put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to
keep it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the
garden thou mayest freely eat: 17 But of the tree of
the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of
it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. (KJV)
Now,
we all know what the outcome was, and because of their (Adam and Eve) rebellion
or disobedience to that which God asked of them, (you might say that Adam and
Eve violated their terms of probation), that sin was then passed on to all
mankind, with the one exception which we know, Jesus of Nazareth.
Probation: the act of proving; proof; any proceeding
intended to put a person to a test as to character or ability; a trial or a
test; a period of testing or trial. (Winston college
dictionary 1945).
When
any person is born into this world, they are born into it with the nature of
sin as a part of their being, which has been passed down to every generation
because of Adam and Eve’s disobedience to that which God asked of them. (1Cor
If
a person accepts Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and savior, they are
immediately brought from under the sentence or penalty of death, and born again
into a new spiritual life, as a part of God’s family. (John
3:3-8, 2Cor
Why
do people think that there is nothing left for them to do after they are born
again? It could be from ignorance, a lack of instruction, improper instruction,
or just plain laziness; the Word tells one clearly that there is more that is
required of them as believers.
People
will call themselves Christians, (Christian; to be Christ like), and yet their
every day lifestyle does not depict or portray this. Many think that it is
enough to be called a Christian, and that a corresponding lifestyle is not
required of them. Paul tells us clearly, that one is supposed to study to show
themselves approved unto God, with no reason for them to be ashamed when they
stand before Him, because they have taken the time to rightly divide the Word
of truth. All a fact that one must continue in the faith.
What
happens, (or should happen), if a person breaks or violates the terms or
conditions of their probation? They are apprehended, and returned to serve the
remainder of their original sentence. Think about it; if one breaks the terms
and conditions of God’s pardon or forgiveness of sin, (which is made available
to whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord), what sentence or penalty it
is that you think will be reinstated or imposed?
Heb 6: 4. For
it is impossible for those who have once for all been enlightened and have
experienced the gift from heaven, who have been made sharers of the Holy Spirit
5. and have
experienced how good God's message is and the mighty powers of the age to come,
6. and then have fallen by the wayside
-- it is impossible, I say, to keep on restoring them to their first
repentance, since they continue to crucify the Son of God to their detriment
and hold Him up to contempt. (Williams New Testament)
Note:
that it tells us in verse six, that one holds the Lord
up in contempt; that is, being openly defiant of God’s rules and law of order.
In
order for one to maintain their journey on that strait and narrow path which
leads to Father’s house, one must continue or abide in the faith, in and on a
moment by moment basis. One must continue in His Word, if they want to remain
established in and on the proper foundation. (1Cor
Heb
[For
we are made partakers of Christ] Having believed in Christ as the promised
Messiah, and embraced the whole Christian system, they were consequently made
partakers of all its benefits in this life, and entitled to the fulfillment of
all its exceeding great and precious promises relative to the glories of the
eternal world. The former they actually possessed, the latter they could
have only in case of their perseverance; therefore the apostle says, If we
hold fast the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end, i. e. of our
life. For our participation of glory depends on our
continuing steadfast in the faith, to the end of our Christian race. (from
Adam Clarke Commentary)
The
word which we here translate confidence, to place or stand, signifies properly
a basis or foundation; that on which something else is builded,
and by which it is supported. Their faith in Christ Jesus was this hypostasis
or foundation; on that all their peace, comfort, and salvation were builded. If this were not held fast to the end, Christ,
in his saving influences, could not be held fast; and no Christ, no heaven.
He who has Christ in him, has the well-founded hope of
glory; and he who is found in the great day with Christ in his heart will have
an abundant entrance into eternal glory.
(from Adam Clarke
Commentary)
Heb 3:6, but Christ was faithful as a Son having
authority over God's house, and we are that house, if we hold firm to the End
the boldness and the hope which we boast of as ours. 7 For this reason - as the
Holy Spirit warns us, "To-day, if you hear His voice, (
The
word which is here translated confidence, and which signifies freedom of
speech, liberty of access, etc., seems to be used here to distinguish an
important Christian privilege. Under the old testament no man was permitted to
approach to God: even the very mountain on which God published his laws must
not be touched by man nor beast; and only the high priest was permitted to
enter the holy of holies, and that only once a year, on the great day of
atonement; and even then he must have the blood of the victim to propitiate the
divine justice. Under the Christian dispensation the way to the holiest is now
laid open; and we have liberty, of access, even to the holiest, by the blood of
Jesus Christ. Having such access unto God, by such a Mediator, we may obtain
all that grace which is necessary to fit us for eternal glory; and, having the
witness of his Spirit in our heart, we have a well grounded hope of endless
felicity, and exult in the enjoyment of that hope. But if we retain not the
grace, we shall not inherit the glory. (from Adam Clarke Commentary)
Colossians 1:23
if, indeed, you are still firmly holding to faith as your foundation,
without ever shifting from your hope that rests on the Good News that you have
heard, which has been proclaimed in the whole creation under Heaven, and in
which I Paul have been appointed to serve. (
You
have to continue in the faith. No one else is able to do it for you. Only you
are responsible for your salvation, the gift of life in Christ that God has
made available to you. Will you complete the terms of your probation here on
this earth, satisfactorily to God’s terms and conditions?
That you may know Him,
In the service of Jesus
Christ.
Larry Gazelka
J
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