Perhaps having worn out to a great extent the matters of house and houses as in some sort of analogous estate, especially in reference to our own building and/or where and what we live in and from, we continue. For it is often in only wearing out a thing and there finding its eventual inutility [sic] to us, that we seek anew. Seeking after either new or better replacement for our use (or in this case, understanding) that will advance us in some work, or the things we have been given to do. And, so again, we continue.
Have we to do? Do we have work? Is there something to be done, or remaining to be done, among us in particular who may make claim of Christ’s knowing? Both knowing Him and being known of Him? Is there…work? Even such as might be called a worthy direction, or instruction toward it, as in:
Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief
or
work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (?)
And if such is given us to do, and even thankfully so to some end of benefit, can this ever square with our relief from the vain attempts at acheiving through works of the law, that which is and are, unobtainable to them?
Yes.
But only if we proceed from this:
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
And further in regards to a “to do” might this now appear less of a stretch for application in regards of a doing, or any doing?
Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
Admittedly, many other translations opt for the notion of giving account to that One to whom we are solely responsible to for response (as He is of all responsibility), but the implication is nevertheless clear.
And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
For in the presence of a one (even that God!) who is all seeing, all knowing of everything to utter transparency to Himself, nothing can be hidden…even of all we have to do. No motive hidden, no intent obscure, no inner working of which He is unaware that we might form a thing to present to Him, as coming from a place unknown to Him.
How much more the wonder then, when this is received as truth revealed to us as in “I got nuthin’ Lord to come up with to surprise, delight, please…or even disappoint you” which may at first seem an unappealing estate to discover; but then we find in our hearing “No worries, I brought my own stuff!”
For it is God’s delight to work in us to surprise and delight us with the mercy and grace…and truth, found in His Christ alone. How contrary this is to our working toward or for Him to “get” something from Him as, or for, entrance. Our work, such as it may be of seeking, asking, knocking is all also and no less originated in and by Him and only response to His word of “that” to do. He has made us believers, to believe it. And no man engaged, no man persuaded, no man convinced to its undertaking (read: believe) would but laugh at any notion he is, has or could ever…do anything “for God” by works or any works to place Him in estate of owing. The work is His, the tools are His, the calling is His; all authority is…His.
All other labors we may have known are as burden or a thing to be compensated for, traded upon, or a quid pro quo engendering a debt…but here we find our delightful indebtedness, in all unable to be repaid, and such delight itself is the reward. Agreeing to self inability in:
“I got nuthin”
is either seen as some form of despairing utterance, or to the contrary, in this case…as entrance into all joy and relief. God is making His estate known in regard to a man…as supplier, and sole supplier of all…even to some admission that may have once seemed humiliating to him…of having nothing to present to God for gain of Him. Even as in “Hey Lord, I got nuthin’, but may I see what you have?”
And we find His Christ ready for display, in manifestation to us, as in us and for us, which is His (God’s) ever delight and joy. Where we despair of ourselves is so often the prelude of a manifestation of a great work of God in us.
Even to such as that which Jesus said, not in any despair but great joy, we find revises us:
“Of myself, I can do nothing”
…and He was not at all sad at all to know and confess “it is the Father within me that doeth the works”.
“Let’s not get confused here fellas as to what man is, and can do of himself”.
And Jesus Himself marveled at the faith of the Centurion for his seeing and understanding, for faith always brings sight and understanding, even holding those matters within itself for revelation’s sake.
He saw that the essence of Jesus’ power and ability to “do” was in all attributable to His being a man under an authority of power, and acting in obedient submission to it.
Where others may have needed disabusing of seeing Jesus solely as a “miracle man” able to do as He pleased, and when He pleased of Himself, the Centurion understood. He saw a man submitted to His God and Father. And from that is/was where His power had all source. Yes, Jesus marveled and commended him for that faith. In not unlike manner as He once declared of Peter’s seeing “flesh and blood has not revealed this to you…” No man of himself can recognize the Christ of God.
Listen if you can. Even if we were to read this with a certain sensing only of our self as some form of contradiction to this matter, we may read again.
No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.
At first, or if incomplete in reading, it could seem Jesus almost boasting of a power He is holding of Himself to do there as He pleased. And there is no contradiction in, or of, Jesus making this plain. And, of course, nor is it boast…just plain stating of truth. Yet even in this, where Jesus is saying He is free of all others (read: man) in any obligation of response to what they may seek to do to Him, or against Him (even by seeking to take His life) He makes plain:
This command have I received of my Father.
Only the Father can give a man any authority and liberty in this matter, even in all things pertaining to his life.
This matter may be spoken of many times, as it has been, in all wonder. All and any manner of attaching to Jesus any manner of necessity by man is strictly forbidden. One enters the non-existent if there is any presumption of going there. It simply is not, nor can be a real place. Just as God can never be placed to any position of obligation or necessity by man or toward man.
May this not be too awkward for handling or obscure to understanding. God alone can hold Himself to Himself, but man cannot there leverage anything from God, even in any claim of “God has to honor His word”. Does God honor His word? Truly. But all and any form of presumption that such honoring (made only plain by God alone to begin with) now gives, in any way, shape, or form (and do not think this is as unusual as it sounds) place to leverage Him.
Such a place does not exist where any man can ascend to bring God under any pressure to either perform, or give, or exercise according to any man’s will. And if we think such is so rare, or so uncommonly absurd to even consider a man, even any man might do so…it simply, and starkly reveals how little a man knows of man, and particularly, himself.
For man, if known or seen to any right degree will understand. Man (yes, you and I) is so steeped in a thing, even quite skilled at it as to not even recognize its working; being something of “second nature” to him, in all. Oh, yes, man is clever. Clever in his dealings with one another that cannot resist being applied to all, and even attempted toward God Himself till it be crushed irremediably.
So simply, it is this. Man seeks out identifying what is of necessity to, or in others. And once found, if such necessity he is skilled enough at handling (read: clever), he can both easily manipulate, direct, control, and also make himself of necessity then to any other. As said, it is so “second nature to us” so inculcated this looking, this searching out, this clever way of seeking and finding in another where their eye falls for necessary esteem, or more basic matters of biological necessity, and to there then interpose our selves for control. We are expert at it. The more clever use flattery, subterfuge, ruses and false identity for gain. And the even more skilled at amassing power have resort to far less subtle, but often more crushingly effective means.
Find another’s necessity, and if clever enough take advantage of that (and so we hone our skills)…and one now quite “owns” the man.
Whether one can keep him is another matter, for all men are clever in this and always exercising it upon one another…and always honing their skills.
But, God is not fooled. Ever.
These people do honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
Yet, their is a deliverer.
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