Plain Words For The Young Who Belong To Christ

by N.D.W. MILLER | Category: Pages For Young Believers | Feb 1932

1.-SALVATION

We are exhorted to work out our own salvation with "fear and trembling." This is no slavish fear; it is that "fear of the LORD" with which the Psalms and the Proverbs are so full. "The fear of the LORD is to hate evil" (Proverbs 8. 13). "Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling," might sum it up (Psalm 2. 11, and see Ephesians 6. 5). We have the World to face day by day, with its allurements and attractions ; and the Flesh in us, with all its sinful propensities; and the Devil, our defeated but still relentless foe, to resist. So that to "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" is the day by day seeking, in humble dependence upon God, to realise victory from sin's power. "In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and His children shall have a place of refuge" (Proverbs 14. 26). "Thus saith the LORD... to this man will I look, even to him that is poor, and of a contrite spirit, and that trembleth at My Word" (Isaiah 66. 1, 2).

In keeping too, with the Philippians passage is the word to Timothy, "Take heed to thyself, and to thy teaching. Continue in these things; for in doing this thou shalt save both thyself and them that hear thee" (1 Timothy 4. 16). "These things" are "things that accompany salvation" (Hebrews 6. 9). This is something that we must do-not to gain Heaven (Heaven is secured through Christ alone)-but in order that we may both save ourselves, and be "saviours" one of another on the way.

"In all thy ways acknowledge Him" (Proverbs 3. 6).

"Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it" (John 2. 5).

This is strand number two in salvation's three-fold cord. So

shall we be "saved"-so shall we experience "salvation day by day.

Our salvation is ETERNAL (Hebrews 5. 9).

"Our citizenship is in Heaven" (Philippians 3. 20).

We have been begotten again "unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, unto an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who by the power of God are guarded through faith unto a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time... at the revelation of Jesus Christ; whom not having seen ye love; on whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory: receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls" (i.e., yourselves) (see 1 Peter 1.). This completes our threefold cord, and speaks of absolute and final deliverance from sin's presence-spirit, soul, and body at the coming of Christ. It is referred to very beautifully in Hebrews 9. Three times in this delightful chapter the word appear occurs, and each occurrence presents a different thought-in fact a different word.

In verse 26-"Once at the end of the ages hath He been manifested (appeared) to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself." It means that the Eternal One became visible. "In this was manifested the love of God" (1 John 4. 9). This is the same word. God's love was made visible in the sending of His Son. Men could see, and behold, and handle Him.

Then in verse 24, we read that "Christ entered... into heaven itself, now to appear before the face of God for us." Is not that sweet? And not only sweet, but glorious. It speaks of His official entrance into Heaven as a Priest for ever. And, it is "for us."

Then again, in verse 28-"Christ also having been once offered to bear the sins of many, shall appear a second time, apart from sin, to them that wait for Him, unto salvation." In this case it means that He shall be "seen face to face." The verse indicates that God was the Great Provider, and that Christ was the Spotless Victim. "And inasmuch as it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this judgment; so Christ," etc. This is true and solemn, but is not God's answer to that-Christ has been "once offered to bear the sins of many"? Christ died; if men refuse Him, then "after this judgment" ; this is still more solemn. Had this judgment overtaken us it would have meant our eternal condemnation; but the awful stroke it fell on Him-He bore it all. At His first coming Calvary was ever before Him-He must needs grapple with the monster SIN; and with the last enemy, DEATH; and with the Old Serpent, the DEVIL and SATAN. And not only so, there was that which the great fight involved-the hiding of God's face from our adorable Lord. He was indeed "a Man of Sorrows," with visage marred, and form scarred. That is now for ever past, and He is going to "Appear a second time, apart from sin." There will be no trace of sadness when He comes. "We shall see Him even as He is." What a moment! to be for ever AT HOME-with and like-the Lord Jesus. Does such love and grace on His part not demand our humble and prayerful obedience during our brief little life down here?

Verse 28, is dual in its teaching-it has a two-fold application. It refers firstly, as we have seen, to us of this day of grace (see Hebrews 10. 15). It is "unto salvation," and means our complete emancipation from this defiling world, and the presence of sin when He descends for us into the air (1 Thessalonians 4.).

Its secondary application will be to Israel (see Hebrews 8. 10-12). To Israel's waiting remnant, immediately after the great tribulation, He shall appear as their Deliverer out of Zion. This will mean death and judgment to His enemies, but salvation, great and glorious, to those in that day who shall be waiting for Him. "They shall look on Him whom they pierced." He shall be seen face to face.

Thus we glean, and thus we learn a little about SALVATION from sin's Penalty, sin's Power, and sin's Presence-things that differ.

Number II, on Security, to follow, if the Lord will.

N.D.W. MILLER | Feb 1932
Pages For Young Believers