GOD’S WORD FOR DECEMBER 4

Our  book this month  is a continuation of “Chiseled by the Master’s Hand ~ Lessons From the Life of Peter,” by Erwin  Lutzer.  Dr. Lutzer is  Canadian-born and served as Senior Pastor of the Moody Church in Chicago for 36 years, until his retirement in 2016.   He now serves as Pastor Emeritus of Moody Church.  He’s written many books and has radio and internet teaching programs.

PETER’S PERSONAL REVELATION

Matthew  6:13-20 and  Chapter 16

Let’s consider once more Christ’s words, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you.  But My father who is in heaven.”  (Mt 6:17).  Where did Peter’s clear faith come from?  Was it inherent within his own nature, just waiting to be drawn out at the right moment?  Was Peter’s conclusion the result of careful thought and human investigation?  No, the origin of Peter’s faith was not flesh and blood, but a revelation from the Father.  All the natural endowments of human nature could never have produced this theological insight.  His statement was the result of A MIRACLE OF PERSONAL ENLIGHTENMENT.

God was the origin of Peter’s faith.  Peter was not mouthing the words of a creed or even drawing some legitimate conclusions based on his careful observation.  This was a faith wrought in the depths of his being as a gift of God.  It was a faith that was personal and final.  Nothing except a revelation from God can give us a view of Christ that fills our hearts with adoring wonder.  The darkness can only be dispelled by a miracle, a shaft of divine light.  TO CURE OUR SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS IS A DIVINE WORK.

The great German preacher Helmut Thielicke tells how on a cycling tour of southern Germany he came to a village at midmorning, ravenously hungry because he had missed breakfast.  To his delight he saw a shop window in the village street with a notice, “Hot Rolls.”  With his gastric juices flowing in eager anticipation, he went inside only to discover that the shop sold no rolls, either hot nor cold.  It was a print shop, the sign on the outside was simply an example of the kind of lettering the shop could produce.

So it is with those who use words but neither understand nor trust their meaning.  Think of the millions who have recited the words of a creed affirming the divinity of Christ and yet are eternally lost.  The words are true, but personal affirmation is needed before they are applied.  Like a sign on a window, letters can just be glued on the outer shell of an empty spiritual life.

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Hebrews 11:1-3 ~ ~ Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. …

Hebrews 6:12 ~ ~ that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Hebrews 10:2~ ~ Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

Hebrews 12:2 ~ ~ looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Romans 10:17 ~ ~ So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Psalm 18:28 ~ ~ For You will light my lamp; The Lord my God will enlighten my darkness.

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