I am perpetually awestruck with the freshness of God's Holy Word! I have been a diligent student of the scriptures since 1993, I have been reading through the One Year Bible for 8 or 9 years now in addition to other studies in God's Word, not to mention preparing to teach every week and I am continually pleasantly and delightfully stunned with the precious jewels that HE gives daily. You might be wondering if I get something EVERY DAY...the answer is NO! However, that is my fault. The mornings that I come to HIM and I am only going through the motions of a quite time, the mornings that I have unconfessed sin in my life, the mornings where I come filled with anxiety and worry about circumstances...all of those block and hinder me hearing and receiving that which is more precious than any treasure! As I read Job 23:12, I had to ask myself do I really treasure HIS Word more than my necessary food? “I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.
On the other hand when I cry out to HIM and cry aloud for the filling of the Holy Spirit and seek with all my heart to treasure HIS Word in my heart and to joyfully and expectantly receive HIS words And treasure HIS commandments within...when I acknowledge my desperate need for HIM for life, breath, understanding...EVERYTHING...WHEN I treasure HIS commandments within my heart above all else. [I can only do this as HIS spirit enables me] When I come with that heart attitude...HE reveals some of who HE is, like HE did for Job, Moses, Isaiah, Elijah, Paul and John...HE reveals some of HIS glory! What does John teach us in John 14:21? "He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” HE DOES NOT SAY I MIGHT...THE GREAT I AM SAYS I WILL!
All of that to say that in reading 2 Cor 1:20-22 I am always amazed that EVERY PROMISE IN HIM ARE YES, AND IN HIM AMEN...THAT IS HUGE...RIGHT, RIGHT...IT IS HUGE...but it is so big that I have never really noticed that every promise is yes in HIM TO THE GLORY OF GOD THROUGH US...TO THE GLORY OF GOD...THROUGH US...EVERY PROMISE IS YES FOR THE PURPOSE OF BRINGING GLORY TO GOD THROUGH YOU AND ME! The purpose is always God's glory! Listen carefully...our confidence and hope in HIM fulfilling EVERY PROMISE IN HIM TO US is that HIS NAME IS AT STAKE! HIS HONOR AND GLORY ARE ON THE LINE...YOU KNOW THAT HE WILL COME THROUGH. THE GREAT I AM SAYS I WILL!
2 Cor 1:20-22 For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. 21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, 22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
1:21-22. Those who speak the “Amen” in response to the gospel message experience firmness and security in Christ. At the moment of belief God anoints each believer with the Holy Spirit so that like Christ (Christos means “the Anointed One”), he may glorify God by his life (cf. Matt. 5:16). John wrote that believers receive this anointing from God (1 John 2:20, 27). It is a pouring out of the Holy Spirit on the believer, reminiscent of the anointing of priests with oil.
A further consequence of the Spirit’s presence is the seal of ownership (cf. Eph. 1:13-14) which also is accomplished at the moment of faith. A seal on a document in New Testament times identified it and indicated its owner, who would “protect” it. So too, in salvation, the Holy Spirit, like a seal, confirms that Christians are identified with Christ and are God’s property, protected by Him (cf. 1 Cor. 6:19-20). It was probably this thought that caused Paul to describe himself as a slave of Christ (Rom. 1:1; Phil. 1:1).
A third work of the Spirit at salvation is His confirmation that what God has begun He will complete. Present redemption is only a foretaste of what eternity holds (cf. Rom. 8:23), and the presence of His Spirit in our hearts (cf. Rom. 5:5; 2 Cor. 5:5) is like a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. These last seven words are a translation of one Greek word arrabona, a down payment which obligates the payer to make further payments. The same Greek word is used again in 5:5 and Ephesians 1:14 (cf. “the firstfruits of the Spirit,” Rom. 8:23). Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-c1985). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures (2:557). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
1 Co 10:31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Mt 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Every promise is YES through Jesus FOR GOD'S GLORY through US...as we our filled with HIS Holy Spirit we will give this testimony with our lips and our lives...as we continue the faith walk we continually receive confirmation from the Spirit that we belong to HIM and we know in our knower that HE will complete that good work that HE began in us...FOR GOD'S GLORY THROUGH US!
Father in heaven,
Please do this for YOUR glory and our JOY in YOU!
love,
m