In this series, we have explored the truths of God’s great pleasure and delight in His son. We have shown that the love, joy, beauty and delight which He has within the trinity is like a fountain forever overflowing which He desired to lavish it upon another. Thus, He meticulously created the heavens and the earth so that His beauty might be displayed. Within that beauty is the great Excellency of His vast diversity from the tiniest microbe to the vastness of beauty within the Galaxies. He then created man within His own image of body, soul, and spirit. Funny, He chose one of the smaller planets of the vast Universe to place mankind upon. Knowing that man would choose to worship the creation more than the creator, chasing after counterfeit self-exalting joys; He ordained a plan of salvation. That plan of salvation would mean that He pour out His wrath against sin upon His Beloved Son. To not demand justice, would make Him Unjust and thus His own Righteousness would be tainted and He would no longer be pure light. Why would Joyous, Happy, Loving God be willing to feel the pain, rejection, and agony of striving with mankind? Hebrews 12:2 gives us a glimpse of why where it speaking of Christ says, “for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame”. What was the joy that was set before him? We get to see the heart of that joy when we read John 17 which is the prayer that Jesus prayed before going to the Garden of Gethsemane. I do urge you to read the entire chapter; but for here let me share with you parts from that chapter.
“6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.7 Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves….17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth….20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.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….26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.”
The great Joy that would allow God to endure the evil for a time, is the Ultimate Joy of lavishing His love, joy and Glory on all who would believe. Again looking to 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,24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?”
Look at Psalm 5:”4 For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.5 The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.12 For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.”
Which brings us to “chosen”, predestination, versus free will. That is more than we can finish today and will be tomorrow’s subject. Know this, if you feel the call of God upon your heart today; then, come and drink from the fountain of life today. 2 Corinthians 6: 2 “now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
©2014 Effie Darlene Barba
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.