Every Object Short of Jesus is Vanity

[KenH]

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen, are temporal; but the things which are not seen, are eternal.—2 Corinthians 4:18.

The faith of the gospel stamps vanity upon the righteousness, glory, and happiness of every object short of Jesus. When the soul beholds the King in his glory, it pours contempt upon all things beside; all the transient objects of time and sense die in esteem while the crucified Saviour is in view; this is our greatest gain, our chiefest glory. Far, infinitely beyond all the reasonings of vain philosophy, is the Christian's sight by faith, to reconcile his mind to afflictions, endure with patience under, and give victory over them. Thus Moses "endured, seeing him who is invisible."—Hebrews 11:27. Though the eye of nature hath not seen, nor the uncircumcised ear hath heard, nor can the carnal heart conceive the spiritual things of God's covenant, Jesus's incarnation, and the Spirits revelation; yet the enlightened, heaven-born soul, sees these things in open vision by the eye of faith; to look at them is his chief delight and joy, to obtain clearer views of them his daily study, to converse and be more familiar with them is his chief happiness, his heaven begun on earth; a strange mystery to his natural self and to the carnal world, is the believing soul; to love and converse with an unseen Saviour, to look to invisible objects, to derive all happiness from things that are not seen; no marvel that there should be so great fight of opposition from fallen nature and carnal reason against such a life.

Soul, ever remember with humility and thankfulness, our dear Saviour saith, "unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God."—Mark 4:11. "These things are hid from the wise and prudent." O disciple, whilst thou dost adore the Father's love, dost rejoice in the Son's grace, remember thou art wholly indebted for all this rich discovery to the divine Spirit; give him eternal glory; grieve not the Spirit, who is the glorifier of Jesus, by turning thine eyes to any other object for righteousness, peace, and happiness. Is Christ thine all? Are the unseen things of his kingdom thy portion? Be a chaste virgin to thy Lord. "Where thy treasure is, there let thy heart be also." Happy for thee to find with Paul, "I die daily." I am dying to the world while living in it; I find and feel many pains and disorders in my frail body as sure forebodings of hastening dissolution; I know perfectly that the day of the Lord is coming, that each breath I draw brings nearer this solemn advent. What then should I look to? Upon what should my affections be placed? Blessed be God for revealing these eternal things as our portion. "Be careful for nothing," etc.—Philippians 4:6.

- William Mason, A Spiritual Treasury for the Children of God, Volume 1, November 13

 

[Van]

Yes, we Christians are supposed to be something of a monomaniac, putting Christ first as our overriding priority. But we also are not to overlook supporting priorities such as love, justice, mercy and truthfulness. We must have integrity, walking the talk, from a wellspring of complete commitment.

 

[KenH]

we also are not to overlook supporting priorities such as love, justice, mercy and truthfulness. We must have integrity, walking the talk, from a wellspring of complete commitment.

ALL of which can only come from God. We fallen, ungodly sinners cannot save ourselves or do any good works except as God has ordained.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

(emphasis mine)

 

[Van]

ALL of which can only come from God. We fallen, ungodly sinners cannot save ourselves or do any good works except as God has ordained.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

(emphasis mine)

I see the emphasis, but not a word on the content of His workmanship. Yes, our divine Helper works within us to will and to do what God desires. But since some of us sometime build on our foundation in Christ works which burn up and have no eternal value, to claim these were compelled by God is nonsense.

God sets before us the choice of life or death and begs us, rather than compels us, to choose life.

 

[KenH]

God sets before us the choice of life or death and begs us, rather than compels us, to choose life.

You think that God is down on His knees begging you???? What foolish creature pride you have that you think so low of your Creator.

 

[Van]

You think that God is down on His knees begging you? What foolish creature pride you have that you think so low of your Creator.

LOL, scripture cannot be denied.

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

 

[KenH]

we

"We" are the apostles and other believers, not God. God begs none of His creatures for anything. You are clay, Van, not the Potter.

Romans 9:21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

 

[Van]

"We" are the apostles and other believers, not God. God begs none of His creatures for anything. You are clay, Van, not the Potter.

Romans 9:21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

Can you believe this obstinacy in the light of "we beg you on behalf of Christ,"
Now we, believers in 2023, are not supposed to beg the lost on behalf of Christ, to be reconciled to God. I kid you not...

 

[taisto]

Can you believe this obstinacy in the light of "we beg you on behalf of Christ,"
Now we, believers in 2023, are not supposed to beg the lost on behalf of Christ, to be reconciled to God. I kid you not...

Do you see how you have twisted Ken's words?

 

[KenH]

Now we, believers in 2023, are not supposed to beg the lost on behalf of Christ, to be reconciled to God. I kid you not...

I wrote no such thing.

You are not God, Van; you are a mere worm, as am I.

Van, the creature submits to the Creator, not the other way around. You seem to be filled with much creature pride.

 

[kyredneck]

You are not God, Van

...but he is the founder of Vanology! Right here on the Baptistboard, the birthplace of Vanology! And we are witnesses of it!

 

[Van]

I wrote no such thing.

You are not God, Van; you are a mere worm, as am I.

Van, the creature submits to the Creator, not the other way around. You seem to be filled with much creature pride.

Once this folks start with the you, you, you, Van, Van, Van topic avoidance we know the their fallacy has been exposed.

We beg on behalf of Christ, means just that. The Greek word is translated:
Pray - KJ21
Beseech - ASB
Plead - AMP
Appeal - CJB
Ask - CEV
Entreat - Darby
Urge - EHV
Implore - ESV
Beg - NASB

 

[KenH]

We beg on behalf of Christ

"We" are not God, Van.

 

[Van]

Do you see how you have twisted Ken's words?

LOL, do we beg on behalf of Christ, or not.
How about addressing how my words are being twisted with "We" are not God, Van.

 

[Van]

Folks, if we urge, beg, beseech, implore, entreat the lost to be reconciled to God, on Christ's behalf, we are doing something we believe Christ wants us to do for His benefit. God desires all people to be saved, reconciled.

 

[KenH]

do we beg on behalf of Christ, or not

God's elect spread the gospel.

Acts of the Apostles 8:4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

2 Corinthians 2:14-16 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: to the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?

 

[KenH]

we believe Christ wants us to do for His benefit

Psalms 50:10-12 For every beast of the forest is mine,
And the cattle upon a thousand hills.
I know all the fowls of the mountains:
And the wild beasts of the field are mine.
If I were hungry, I would not tell thee:
For the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.

God desires all people to be saved, reconciled.

All of His elect to be saved is what God desires, wills, and will fully accomplish.

John 10:27-30 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one.

John 17:24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

John 6:37-39 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

 

[tyndale1946]

You think that God is down on His knees begging you???? What foolish creature pride you have that you think so low of your Creator.

John 5: 25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

Van you're a broken record... Brother Glen

 

[Van]

God's elect spread the gospel.

Acts of the Apostles 8:4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

2 Corinthians 2:14-16 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: to the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?

Folks, was the question answered?

My answer of course is Yes, we are to beg the lost to be reconciled on Christ's behalf. It is really that simple.

 

[Van]

John 5: 25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

Van you're a broken record... Brother Glen

Yet another personal aside, displaying nothing of Christ.

John 5:25 NASB
“Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and even now has arrived, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.​

Does anyone suppose they understand this verse?

Is this verse talking about the resurrection to life, that will occur when Christ returns? Perhaps, but since that is more than 2000 years in the future, when John penned this gospel in the 1st century, perhaps not.

Hear seems to refer to those who heed, those who grasp the gospel and believe, those whose belief God credits as righteousness. Which of course presupposes, believers provided their witness of the gospel message to those lost, the spiritually dead.

People of Mr. Tyndale's persuasion of course deny that the "dead" will hear or respond such that they will live. Their view is that only those "quickened, made alive, regenerated" are able to hear and understand and respond affirmatively to the gospel.