In part two we looked at that which is God’s Greatest Pleasure, Greatest delight, and greatest joy which is His Son, Jesus Christ. That love being so great that it overflowed in its magnificence and glory. Thus God desired to lavish that same joyous love upon others who could see it, feel it, relish it and reflect it back—thus He created man in His image with body, soul, and spirit. He walked with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden every evening. He shared His love, His joy, and His Glory with them. He gave them all they ever needed; yet, it is obvious that they did not even realize what a tremendous treasure they had. For mankind to understand and to truly experience the joy, man needed free will to choose God and to choose to follow His commands. God only wanted their joy and for them to recognize the love He lavished on them. Alas, having never felt His absence; they did not recognize the magnificence of His presence. When tempted by Satan with the suggestion that God was holding out on them by not allowing them to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; they quickly disobeyed. Before that they had been protected from evil in their innocence. God in perfect righteousness knew of evil which is the absence of His pure light. Just as darkness of its own does not exist, total darkness is the absence of light. Evil is the absence of perfect righteousness (God). God who is the essence of perfect joy, perfect love, perfect beauty and perfect glory recognizes that where evil exists there can be no true, eternal happiness for the soul of man; thus, God hates evil and all evil deeds. Yet, you might answer, He allowed it. Why? He could have wiped out all of creation in one sweep of His hand the moment Adam sinned, but He didn’t. Let us go one step farther, He being omniscient; knew before He created heaven and earth exactly what Adam would choose. Indeed, Salvation’s plan was in place before the creation. Before the creation, He knew the agony that His beloved Son would endure as He bore the fullness of His own wrath against sin; yet, He created man anyway. Why?
used by permission of Ronald Barba ©2011 Ronald Barba
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5
We could say, because He is God and can do whatever He wants with creation and we would not be far from scripture. Look at Isaiah 46: “8 Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors.9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:11 Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.12 Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness:13 I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry”. Paul when addressing the church at Rome actually answered that very question
which had been proposed by these words found in Romans 9: “22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory” What if, God so desired to pour out His love, joy, hope, beauty and glory upon those who would be saved, that He himself endured the pain, sorrow, anger, accusations, and grief presented by man’s evil, selfish, self-exalting heart? Still pleading with mankind to repent. Still patiently putting off the day of judgment-one more hour, one more day so that you might come to know Him and accept His gift of salvation. As He wrote in Deuteronomy “O that they were wise, that they understood this that they would consider their latter end!.32 For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah: their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are bitter:33 Their wine is the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps.34 Is not this laid up in store with me, and sealed up among my treasures?35 To me belongeth vengeance and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.” He waits for you. In Ezekiel, He said, “23 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord God: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?… 31 Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die…? 32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.” Isaiah 55:1 “3Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David”
1. God created you so that He can lavish you with His love, His joy and His Glory
2. He has patiently waited, enduring the evil nature of man and even offering the payment for sin through pouring out the penalty upon His beloved son; waiting that you might come to Him, desiring Him as your greatest treasure.
3. He still bids you to come, drink from His overflowing fountain of life.
4. One day, judgment must come, so “6 Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon….12 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace
I believe this song will lift your hearts with joy. Written and sung by Stuart Townend, it is Salvation’s Song
©2013 Effie Darlene Barba
Artwork used by written permission ©2011 Ronald Barba and can be purchased at http://fineartamerica.com/featured/mountaintop-experiences-in-the-valley-ronald-barba.html
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.