“Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that Stumbling Stone . . . the Rock cut out of the Mountain without hands . . . As it is written, Behold, I lay in Zion a Stumblingstone and a Rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on Him, shall not be ashamed !”
Romans 9:32-33 & Daniel 2:34
“But seek ye first the Kingdom (Sovereign Reign) of God (Jehovah, Yehuwah) and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you . . . !”
Matthew 6:33
“The Blessing of the LORD, It maketh rich, and He addeth no sorrow (labour, toil) with it . . . !” Proverbs 10:22
“God requires that we confess our sins, and humble our hearts before Him; but at the same time we should have confidence in Him as a tender Father, Who will not forsake those who put their trust in Him . . . For God does not give us up because of our sins !
We may make mistakes, and grieve His Holy Spirit; but when we repent, and come to Him with contrite hearts, He will not turn us away ! . . .
“Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you Rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I Am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find Rest unto your souls . . . !” Matthew 11:28-30
We must learn in the school of Christ. For nothing but His righteousness can entitle us to even one of the Blessings of the Covenant (Promise, Oath) of Grace (Divine Influence)! We have long desired and tried to obtain these blessings, but have not received them, because we have cherished the idea that we could do something to make ourselves worthy of them . . . We have not looked away from ourselves, believing that Jesus (Yehushua) is a Living Saviour !
“Look unto Me, and be ye saved (delivered, set free, rescued, healed and made whole) all the ends of the earth; for I Am God (Elohim – the Almighty), and there is none else . . . !” Isaiah 45:22
“For as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up. That whosoever believeth (trusts completely) in Him should not perish, but have Eternal Life !” John 3:14-15
We look to self, as though we had power to save (deliver) ourselves; but Jesus died for us, because we are helpless to do this. In Him is our hope, our justification, and our Righteousness ! . . .
“What is justification by faith? It is the work of God in laying the glory of man in the dust, and doing for man that which it is not in his power to do for himself . . . When men see their own nothingness, then they are prepared to be clothed with the righteousness of Christ !”
– Special Testimonies to Ministers and Workers p.456 & The Faith I Live By p.111
We should not despond, and fear that we have no Saviour, or that He has no thoughts of mercy toward us. At this very time He is carrying on His work in our behalf, inviting us to come to Him in our helplessness, and be saved (delivered, set free and healed) !
We dishonor Him by our unbelief. It is astonishing how we treat our very Best Friend, and how little confidence we repose in Him Who is able to save to the uttermost, and Who has given us every evidence of His great love !
My brethren, are you expecting that your own merit (worthiness) will recommend you to the favor of God, thinking that you must be free from sin before you trust in His power to save? If this is the struggle going on in your mind, I fear you will gain no strength and finally become discouraged . . .
In the wilderness, when the LORD (Jehovah, Yehuwah) permitted poisonous serpents to sting the rebellious Israelites, Moses was directed to lift up a brazen serpent (on a pole), and bid all the wounded look to it and live. But many saw no help in this heaven appointed remedy. The dead and dying were all around them, and they knew that without Divine help their fate was certain . . .
For “Our condition through sin is unnatural, and the power that restores us must be supernatural, else it has no value ! There is but One Power that can break the hold of evil from the hearts of men, and that is the power of God in Jesus Christ. Only through the blood (Life) of the Crucified One is there cleansing from sin. His Grace (G5485 – Divine Influence) alone can enable us to resist and subdue the tendencies of our fallen nature !”
– Ministry of Healing p.428 ref: Leviticus 17:11
But (rather than look in faith), they would lament their wounds, their pains, their sure death, until their strength was gone, and their eyes were glazed, when they might have had instant healing ! ref: Numbers 21:5-9 & I Corinthians 10:9-11
“Let no one here feel that his case is hopeless; for it is not ! You may see that you are sinful (full of sin) and undone; but it is just in this account that you need a Saviour. If you have sins to confess, lose no time. These moments are golden. For He has promised, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful (full of faith) and Just to for-give (give in exchange for our sins), and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness !” “That He might be Just, and the Justifier of him that believeth in Jesus !” I John 1:9 & Romans 3:26
Some seem to feel that they must be on ‘probation’ and must prove to the LORD that they are reformed, before they can claim His Blessing. But these dear souls may claim the Blessing now! For they must have His Grace (G5485), the Spirit of Christ, to help their infirmities (weaknesses), or they cannot form a Christian character. Jesus loves to have us come to Him, just as we are, sinful, helpless and dependent !
For “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a cure (accursed) for us: for it is written, Cursed (of God) is every one that hangeth on a tree . . . That the Blessing of Abraham might come on (generate – bring to Life) the gentiles through Jesus Christ; and that we might receive the Promise of the Spirit through faith !”
Galatians 3:13-14 & Deuteronomy 27:26
‘That the Blessing of (Spirit-filled Words spoken to) Abraham, might come on (generate, bring to new Life) the gentiles (heathen) through Jesus Christ (Yehushua ha Moshiac) !’
Note: The name of Jesus Christ in hebrew literally means: Jehovah’s Salvation and Anointing – Yehuwah Saves His Anointed ! And this Blessing is in His Living Word ! For “the Words that I speak unto you, they are Spirit and they are Life !” John 6:63
For when God created Adam and Eve and placed them in the garden of Eden, He “Blessed them, saying, Be fruitful and multiply,” and they did. “And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, and the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself,” and they did, and still are to this very day !
“For by the Word of the LORD (Jehovah, Yehuwah) were the heavens made, and all the host of them by the breath (Spirit) of His mouth . . . for He spake and it was so, He commanded, and it stands fast !” Psalm 33:6-9
“And behold, the Word of the LORD came unto Abraham, saying . . . he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. And He brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell (count) the stars, if thou be able to number them. And He said unto him, So shall thy Seed be . . .” Genesis 15:4-6
“And when God made Promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no greater, He sware by Himself, saying . . . I will make My Covenant between Me and thee, and I will multiply thee exceedingly. And Abraham fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying, As for Me, Behold, My Covenant (Oath, Promise) is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations . . .
Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram (mighty father), but thy name shall be Abraham (father of a great multitude); for a father of many nations (gentiles) have I made thee . . . !”
Hebrews 6:13-14 & Genesis 17:2-5
“And in thy Seed shall all the nations (peoples, gentiles) of the earth be Blessed; because thou hast obeyed My Voice !” Genesis 22:16-18
“And what saith the Scripture? Abraham believed God (Elohim), and it was counted (reckoned) unto him for righteousness !” Romans 4:3
“Now to Abraham and his seed (children) were the Promise made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of (by) One, And to thy Seed, which is Christ !” Galatians 3:16
“. . . that he might be the father of all them that believe . . . who also walk (live) in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham !” Romans 4:11-12
“Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted unto him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham . . . And if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ . . . for which cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren !”
Galatians 3:6-7, Romans 8:17 & Hebrews 2:11
And “ye are the children of the prophets, and of the Covenant (Oath, Promise) which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy Seed shall all the kindreds (tribes, peoples) of the earth be Blessed. And unto you first, God, having raised up His Son Jesus, sent Him to Bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities (perversities, mischief) . . . !” Acts 3:25-26
“And the Scripture, foreseeing that GOD would justify (declare innocent, righteous and holy) the heathen through faith, proclaimed before the gospel (Glad Tidings) unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be Blessed. So then they which be by (of) faith, are Blessed with faithful Abraham !” Galatians 3:8-9
“For unto us was the Glad Tidings preached, as well as unto them: but the Word proclaimed did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it . . . For we which have believed do enter into Rest. For he that is entered into His Rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from His !” Hebrews 4:1-3
“For I am not ashamed of the Glad Tidings (gospel) of Christ: for it is the power of God unto Salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written . . .
The Just shall live by faith !
Romans 1:16-17
Note: The main portion of the quoted text can be found in the book, Gospel Workers 1892 edition, p.412-415 and other quotations are noted with their references above.
It is our hope and prayer that the Words of our LORD and Saviour will be a Blessing to you, and your family this Sabbath. And may He keep you strong in faith, and the power of His Living Word through the weeks ahead !
your brother and sister,
Eric & Sarah Wilson and family – Isaiah Ministries
“Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that Stumbling Stone . . . the Rock cut out of the Mountain without hands . . . As it is written, Behold, I lay in Zion a Stumblingstone and a Rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on Him, shall not be ashamed !”