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faith not having received the promise". The throne of David cannot be occupied apart
from resurrection: "Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee" are the words of the
decree (see Psa. 2:).
The Church has no status or blessing apart from resurrection; chapter and verse can
hardly be given, as this thought underlies the whole of the apostle Paul's ministry, both
before and after Acts 28:
The Essential Element in Justifying Faith.
"Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him: but for us also,
to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on Him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the
dead; who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again because of our
justification."
"If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart
that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved" (Rom. 10: 9).
Let us learn this important teaching concerning the promises of God, for it underlies
all His purposes of grace and glory. The close association between Isaac and Christ
(Gal. 3: 16; Rom. 9: 7), the references to the offering of the only begotten Son
(Heb. 11: 17; John 3: 16) reveal that in some mystical way God Himself moves along
these lines as well as His people. He also awaits the hour appointed. He must eliminate
all human merit. He too works only in the sphere of resurrection life.
"For how many soever the promises of God, in Him is the yea; wherefore also through
Him is the Amen to the glory of God through us" (II Cor. 1: 20).
#32.
The Perfecting of Faith (Gen. 22:).
pp. 36 - 39
We now approach the supreme trial of Abraham' life. Laughter in the shape of Isaac
had entered into his home and heart, and the promises were all centred in that little life
now growing up. Abraham's old age had been illuminated by the gift of God. Then
came the test and the triumph. "Walk before Me and be thou perfect", God had said
some twenty-five years previously. The first act which followed that command was the
rite of circumcision.
The act which we now contemplate is not the rite of circumcision, but the reality.
Phil. 3: defines true circumcision. It is threefold:--
(1). Worship God in Spirit.
(2). Rejoice in Christ Jesus.
(3). Have no confidence in the flesh.
Surely if the flesh ever made an appeal it did in Gen. 22: God said to Abraham:--