THE MAGNIFICENCE OF SALVATION
1 Cor 2:7-9 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
1 Cor 13:9-12 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
1 John 3:1-2 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
Take an ordinary lump of clay. Now place it in the hands of a master artist and see what happens. As the clay yields to the sensitive hands of the artist a miracle is born. What appeared as very common clay is now becoming something beautiful and useful while it continues to respond to the experienced fingers of the master. Have you ever thought of your life and future in this way? God wants to do something beautiful with your life. He wants to give it the touch of magnificence. God has a special purpose for your future. "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him" (1 Corinthians 2:9).
Let us notice the magnificence of salvation in three aspects:
1. The Magnificence of the Cross:
With all the shame attached to the hated cross, which St. Paul experienced, (a shame greater than that of the electric chair) we yet hear him actually "glorying in the cross" (Galatians 6:14). Now why? Is it not because the cross experience transforms the ordinary man into a character of moral radiance and spiritual beauty? By "death of the old man" the Christian may now "put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness" (Ephesians 4:22-24).
In nature the pearl illustrates this. It is difficult to think of anything more ordinary than an oyster. Outwardly, it is not attractive and appears destined to a calm and uneventful history. If, however, while the shell is opened for food, a tiny speck of foreign matter or perhaps a small sea creature should enter the opened shell, a strange and thrilling drama begins.
The oyster seeks to remedy the irritating intruder by covering it with layer upon layer of lime and nacre, like coats of varnish, which continue to cover and harden, cover and harden, until at last, it develops into an elegant pearl, a gem of magnificent beauty and charm!
Likewise, God, through the pain of spiritual crucifixion transforms a dark cheerless spirit into one of magnificent loveliness. Oh, the magnificent power of the cross!
"O cross that liftest np my head
I dare not ask to fly from thee,
I lay in dust life's glory dead,
And from the ground there blossoms red!
Life that shall endless be!"
2. The Magnificence of Divine Care:
Facing death a dear Christian man once asked his loved ones this question. "After I see Jesus, do you know who next I want to see?" They could not say. "Why my guardian angel," he exclaimed!
And why not, dear reader, seeing that God in His magnificent care
not only numbers the very hairs of our head, but has stationed these
heavenly guards to protect and guide us across life's way.
These angels are "ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation" (Hebrews 1:14). They are mentioned almost three hundred times in the sixty-six books of the Bible. The good angels are holy and sinless, mighty and powerful, having supernatural strength. In fact, they "excel in strength" (Psalm 103:20). One angel by himself smote 185,000 Assyrians in one night (2 Kings 19:35). One rolled away the stone from the sepulcher of Jesus to let the women see the empty tomb (St. Matthew 28:2).
When Peter was in prison, it was an angel who came to escort him to freedom (Acts 12). While Daniel was in the lion's den he declared, "My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths" (Daniel 6:22). Scriptures indicate they not only surround the Throne of God, eagerly awaiting His commands, but are rather constantly traveling back and forth from heaven to earth. They are faster than the speed of light. True, they are invisible to the physical eye, but they are really there!
How thrilling to know that these heavenly couriers, though unseen, are ever ready to aid the struggling distraught pilgrim in his journey homeward. This seems to be their chief function and glory on earth. We shall learn more about the angels as we delightfully mingle among them in God's exciting tomorrows.
3. The Magnificence of the City:
When the apostle John was given the privilege of a few glimpses inside the Heavenly City, he was overcome by its magnificence and splendor. His words failed him as he attempted to describe its glories and beauty.
Heaven's size is magnificent. The following from Dr. A. W. Criswell gives us some idea of its proportions. "It is a city as though it began in Maine and went all the way down to Florida. It is so vast in its length, its breadth and its height that the City would cover all of Ireland, all of Great Britain, all of France, all of Spain, all of Germany, all of Austria, all of Italy, all of European Turkey and half of European Russia. 1,500 miles one way, 1,500 miles the other way, and 1,500 miles upward. Street upon street and story upon story, the beautiful, golden municipality of God."
Heaven's beauty is magnificent. One evening a little girl, walking hand in hand with her father, looked up at the brilliant shining stars in the night sky. With an enraptured sigh she said, "Heaven must be beautiful!" When her father asked her why she thought so, she said, "Cause the light coming through the cracks in the floor is so pretty."
After seeing those same stars or viewing a gorgeous sunset we all know how the little girl felt. Heaven must be beautiful beyond our fondest dreams! "The glory of God's brightness enveloped it like an unclouded halo, permeates it, and radiates through it and from it so that there is not a dark or obscure place about it" (J. A. Seiss). "As all the hues of the rainbow are in the sun's rays, so all the hues of the twelve foundation stones are combined in the jasper wall" (J. E. Greenhough). God loves color and things beautiful. Imagine all the rays of the spectrum blended together in dazzling beauty! This is heaven!
Heaven's occupations are magnificent. The redeemed "will dwell in the house of the Lord forever" (Psalms 23:6). It will not, of course, be a place of eternal idleness. As Adam was given responsibility over the earth so the redeemed will actively serve God in the glory world. Service, there, however, will be unhampered by the restrictions of mortal flesh. In the glorified state each saint will have every power developed, every capability increased. With exhaustless energies and abounding life these perfected immortals will "Know as they are known" (1 Corinthians 13:12). They will rule and reign with Christ (see St. Luke 19:12-27). Now they will explore the mysteries of the universe. Is there life on other planets? We do not know. Scientists know our earth is but a tiny spot in God's great universe. The moon, our nearest neighbor, is 240,000 miles away. Mars, the next closest is about 3 million miles away. Saturn, 50 million miles; Neptune, is calculated over 2.5 billion miles beyond the sun. Beyond this--infinity! The nearest known star is 276,000 times as far away as the sun ( 25 trillion miles ). What is out there? Can we imagine God making millions upon millions of starry worlds for no purpose? This will all be investigated and understood by the saints some glorious day as they delight themselves in the treasures of God's grand University.
Praise God for His amazing salvation. Praise God for His magnificent cross; His magnificent care, and His magnificent city. Praise God too that we can get in on it all!
O' Beloved Reader, do not run from God's wonderful Savior. Come to Him, if you are not spiritually reborn. Come, now! Jesus really loves you.
In the story of the Holy War, John Bunyan wrote, I think, the most beautiful words ever written, aside from the Bible itself:
"The Prince (Jesus) spoke kindly to Mansoul (anyone), saying: (suppose, dear reader, you imagine yourself as Mansoul)
I have loved thee, Mansoul: I bought thee with my blood, and stood by thee when thou wert unfaithful. Yes--I did, though thou didst not understand. It was I who made your way dark and bitter after thou didst sin...it was I who put Mr. Godly-Fear to work--it was I who stirred up your will and your conscience--it was I who made you seek me, and in finding Me, you found your own happiness. Nothing can hurt thee but sin... Nothing can grieve Me but sin... Nothing can make thee fall before thy foes but sin...
Beware of sin, my Mansoul.
I will pray for thee...I will fight for thee. I have taught thee to watch, to fight, to pray; now I command thee to believe that my love is constant toward thee.
Oh my Mansoul, how I have set my heart, my love upon thee. Show me thy love--and hold fast-until I take thee to my Father's kingdom where there is no sorrow--no grief--no pain--Where thou shalt never be afraid again."
Jesus Christ is able and ready to save. Yes, right now. He is never "pushy." He only enters the heart door that is opened to Him.
He wants to do something beautiful with your life now and forever.
Will you let Him?
Well?
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