THE SUFFICIENCY OF CHRIST TO MEET ALL YOUR NEED 3 (ODELL)

“But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:19   

Last Lord’s Day we discovered that the PERSONS to whom this promise is made are identified as “the saints in Christ Jesus,” according to the inscription of the book in chapter one verse one. In the process, we were blessed to discover what makes a saint, which is “the good pleasure” and “will” of “the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,” according to Ephesians 1:5. Because, it is “He who hath chosen us in Him (Christ), before the foundation of the world,” Eph. 1:4. It was then, at a time before time, that the saints were “sanctified in Christ Jesus, and called to be SAINTS,” I Cor. 1:2.   

Further, it was then the saints were actually “blessed with all spiritual blessings” relative to every aspect of their salvation in real time as mere OBJECTS of unconditional Free, and Sovereign Grace. In which case, they did not, nor could not, be “sanctified…and called to be saints,” by anything in or of themselves considered as such. Certainly not by any other thing BELOW the Person and work of Christ Himself! Not by Moses and his law, which we will clearly see, I trust, moving forward. Not by ceremonial absolutions and sacrifices which could only purify the flesh but could never take away sin or cleanse from its power. Not by themselves and their own righteousness and not by baptism which has no regenerating or sanctifying virtue!   

The reality is this; If a person is not a “saint” before his natural birth, baptism, or any vain attempts at lawkeeping, He/she will never be a saint ever! All human efforts are conditional at best and certainly BELOW Christ Himself. Anything BELOW Christ leaves a person right where it found him, never taking away or cleansing from either original or actual sin.   The further reality is; Men are first “in Christ”, or they are not “in Christ” at all. Having NOT been “chosen in Him before the foundation of the world,” by Pure, Free, and Sovereign Grace, THEY NEVER WILL BE “called to be saints” at any time in the future.   THE DOCTRINE STATED: 

A saint is all he is or ever shall be by Eternal Vital Union with Jesus Christ Himself. This means the saint does not earn, merit, or cause his “spiritual blessings” either in or of himself! This truth is in stark contrast with those who would have us believe, that a person enjoys spiritual blessings because of his obedience to the Ten Commandments, church attendance, mortification of the flesh, voluntary humility, becoming “one with the universe”, a sincere attempt to maintain the “BE-attitudes”, or any other of the multitude of “if-you-will-God-will” man-centered promises in this present world’s consciousness! The Doctrine of Eternal Vital Union cannot be overstated in the light of your eternal soul’s salvation. A SAINT IS ALL HE IS OR EVER SHALL BE BY ETERNAL VITAL UNION WITH JESUS CHRIST. One more thought on this first primary point of consideration regarding this promise in Phil. 4:19. The Doctrine stated just now is exactly what our ancient Baptist forefathers published 378 years ago in the FIRST LONDON CONFESSION OF FAITH, 1646, Article 6. It reads:   “ALL THE ELECT being loved of God with an everlasting love, ARE REDEEMED, quickened, and SAVED, not by themselves, nor their own works, lest any man should boast, but only and WHOLLY BY GOD, of His free grace and mercy through JESUS CHRIST, who is made unto us by God, wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, and all in all, that he that rejoices might rejoice in the Lord.” Caps mine.   

In review; The PERSONS to whom this promise is made are “all the saints in Christ Jesus,” Phil. 1:1. They are “chosen in Him” before the world began to “be holy” (Eph. 1:4) being made a “new creature” in Christ Jesus (II Cor. 5:17) and therefore God’s “workmanship, created in Him unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them,” Eph. 2:10. All by virtue of their ETERNAL VITAL UNION with Christ before the world began.   Being in union with them, He sanctifies them by His blood. Being thus sanctified by Christ He has an eternal interest in them. Because this is so, in real time He makes Himself known to them in a saving way. The elect child of God has their being first of God IN CHRIST, hence He Himself is made “sanctification” to them, I Cor. 1:30. Further, internal holiness is wrought in them experientially by Him who is eternally united to them. Which work of Christ in His Mediatorial Office Work as Prophet, Priest, and King of the saints, is carried on into eternity future which is Paul’s conclusion in this very book. “Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ,” Phil. 1:6.   This adds a new dimension to such verses as I Thess. 5:9, where Paul reminded “the Church of the Thessalonians…IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST,” (1:1) that “God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to OBTAIN SALVATION by our Lord Christ.” Or, Acts 13:48, “As many as were ordained unto eternal life BELIEVED.”   

We have discovered the PERSONS to whom this promise is made are “all the saints in Christ Jesus,” Phil. 1:1. Beautiful beyond words to those given eyes to see. Next week, the Lord being my helper, we will examine the EXTENT of the promise found in Phil. 4:19. Let us pray to that end.   

Dan O’Dell, only a sinner with a reason to hope.