Therefore we were
buried with Him
through Baptism
into death,
that just as
Christ was raised
from the dead
by the Glory of
the Father,
even so we
also should walk
in newness of life.
Romans 6:4
The study of God's Word is not so that we become wise and prudent in the sense that it is "we", that we are attempting to claim salvation; that is by our works. We are not to become so wise and prudent in regards to our presuppositions, to make the Bible meet our presuppositions, to allow the Bible to prove how wise and how we are prudent. This self-piety is in direct opposition to the fact that our presuppositions should be only of the atonement of Jesus Christ.Let us be reminded of God's Word to us: "The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law" (Deuteronomy 29:29). Unless God reveals to us those things that are needed for us to know then we cannot know what is not revealed, therefore our presuppositions based on us and not on the atonement of Christ are null and void. Jesus reminds us: At that time Jesus answered and said, 'I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes" (Matthew 11:25). It is not that we are not to study God's Word, we are, for if we do not study His Word we will not in this life become the men and women He desires us to be and how we are to keep the Church free from error. When we allow our the joy of service to the Lord to become that which defines our faith, that is when the preaching is more enjoyable and refreshing to our soul because that which is preached meets our personal presuppositions we are in danger. When the sermons are more about our "feeling good" and does not remind us of the atonement of Christ, what He alone did for those that the Father would give to Him, then we are living a "holy" life that in actuality keeps a person from the atonement of Christ. Paul is a great example of what preaching is all about: "For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures..." (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). It is then obedience to Christ, working out His atonement in our lives that gives us the ability to grow in Christ. Further, it is this obedience to all of His Word in our lives that allows the Holy Spirit to guide and direct, it is then that God in His Providence reveals to us Himself and His purpose. God will not reveal more about Himself to us unless we are already obeying what He has revealed. Beware though, do not become "wise and prudent" about that which you already know; examine all things and do this in the light of His Word and not upon your own presuppositions.
What does all that have to do with this life we live and how does the Providence of God relate to this life, to the vital processes of life, so that I may live in obedience to Him? Life is a difficult mystery, a question that is inscrutable in as much as the answer to the question: what is life, is hard to explain. Let is begin this series on the Sovereignty of God and His Providence or relation to the vital process develop an answer. This we do know about life: First, there is nothing that we will not admit, that there is a great chasm between life and death, between the living and the dead. We we view life or death, it is evident that there is no manner of examination, no microscope, or any chemical analysis, that weighs either life or death; this difference cannot be measured. There are certain processes that are present, we can see that there are processes in life, and we know that those processes cease upon death. These processes determine and admit to organization, growth, and reproduction. These processes seen and determined to exist imply that there is an end , a purpose or will that will secure an end, and that there is an intelligence behind this organization, this choice available for man, and its application of these processes for the attainment of an end. How do these processes, this organization apply, or imply that there is an end in view? First, we understand that there are processes, and organization, and this by means of the mind. Take the eye for an instance, think upon this organ, and then notice that if we assign only a blind physical force by which this wonderful organ is made, it parts, and how those parts relate to one another fashioning the ability for the mind to see, that the eye can take external things and make them be internally seen, and finally its adaptation to not only see things present but cause the mind to be able to see things future; to dismiss this process to a physical cause only is a mistake. If by physical cause only the eye exists then all that can only be admitted is that there is no such thing, or evidence, of a mind, in heaven, or upon the earth. If that is what we have admitted then all works of art are productions of dead matter, or of physical forces.
Many people have this idea of life and this idea is their presuppositions which for them has left out the idea of God, there is no room for God or His Sovereignty, let alone His Providence in this life. For those who are willing to alter their presuppositions to that of a presupposition based upon the atonement of Jesus Christ by His dying upon the cross for man's sins then God will reveal to that one the mystery of His will: "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence having made know to us the mystery of His will, according His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth--in Him" (Ephesians 1:7-10).
As we continue to learn about life, it vital processes and God's relation to those vital processes, answers to such questions will be given to aid us to become aware of God's Sovereignty and Providence and to prepare us to be able to give an answer for our faith to anyone who may ask. Here is a question to ponder: "Where does the mind reside?"
But the wisdom
that is from
above is first pure,
then peaceable,
gentle, willing to yield,
full of mercy and
good fruits, without
partiality and without
hypocrisy.
James 3:17
Today, Submit to God
Richard L. Crumb
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