Daily Jewel

by   Pastor J.T. Carnell,  McAlester, OK

“A Lasting Impression”  

“Bind them on your fingers...write them on the tablet of your heart...” – Proverbs 7:3 (NIV)

Without a great deal of fanfare I want to point out the latter part of that verse because it contains what I would call an element of permanence.  It is everlasting—something that we are not used to in our world. 

Understandably, some things in life really do change—aren’t you glad? A number of people reading this probably  learned to drive before cars came with turn signals, automatic transmissions, and power-steering. There may be those who can remember before there was power windows, back-up lights, power door-locks, and radial tires. Before power seats and disc brakes and tinted glass. Before GPS systems…Onstar…keyless starters…how did we ever get along without such “essentials?”? And what about cruise control and stereo surround-sound?

But even with all the modern conveniences (and accessories available if one has the money), there are some things about cars that haven’t radically changed much. A hundred years after Ford introduced his “Model T,” cars today have wheels and tires, brakes, steering wheels, lights front and rear, and a way to move the vehicle from Point A to Point B, and all points in between.

Unlike the manufacturing of automobiles, biblical principles never change. Especially when it comes to spiritual realities. I like the doxology of the catholic traditional evening prayers; “As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.” It sounds so majestic, so final, so ever-lasting, and so out-of-touch in a post-modern world. Maybe thats why I like it so much. And it reads the same in Latin, German, French, and Spanish.

Speaking of post-moderns, I ran across (translation: I wasn’t looking for anything special at the time) a blog (how about that for another something that didn’t exist a decade ago?) entitled, “The Evangelical, Post-Modern, Emergent, Missional, Orthodox, Conservative, Liberal Body of Christ.” Is that inclusive or what? The writer went on to say, “So you might say that I am just a mixed up kid. Or you might say I am rebelling against boxes and labels. What is important is: what will God say when I stand before him someday?” 

Indeed. That is the question that ends all questions. “What will God say?” Maybe He will want an explanation for how his church has become the creator of change in worship, music, methodology, and the interpretation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Maybe he will want a short answer. Maybe he will ask questions that we are not prepared to answer. Jesus had one question for Simon: “Who do you say that I am?” Could it be that simple for us at the Judgment?

Here is a truth about God: He doesn’t change! In theological language, he is immutable. Scriptures attest to this truth (Psalm 33:11; Ecclesiastes 3:14; Isaiah 14:24; Hebrews 1:12; Hebrews 6:17, 18; James 1:17). In a sermon by Jonathan Edwards, dated April 1738, the great preacher spoke from the Hebrews 13:8 text:

“Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

He said that Christ is unchangeable in two respects: In his divine nature, and in his office. By that he meant that Jesus “is unchangeable as the Mediator and Savior of his church and people.” Everyone has sinned, regardless of how one defines sin. Sinners are still welcome in his house. Sinners are saved by grace through faith. Heaven is the eternal home for those who believe. Hell is the eternal home for those who do not. The choice is ours. It always has been. It always will be, “world without end.”

“Unchangeable, almighty Lord, Our souls upon Thy truth we stay;

Accomplish now Thy faithful word, And give, O give us all one way!

O let us all join hand in hand, Who seek redemption in Thy blood;

Fast in one mind and spirit stand, And build the temple of our God.

Giver of peace and unity, Send down Thy mild and peaceful dove.

We all shall then in one agree And breathe the spirit of Thy love.

So shall the world believe and know That God hath sent Thee from above,

When Thou art seen in us below And ev’ry soul displays Thy love.”

Charles Wesley