Professors without Christ’s Presence Claim None of His Promises
Professors without Christ’s Presence Claim None of His Promises
5/23 Reading Portions: Numbers 32; Psalm 77; Isaiah 24; 1 John 2
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5/23 Reading Portions: Numbers 32; Psalm 77; Isaiah 24; 1 John 2
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They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. 1 John 2:19
PROMISES
Even in the first century, only five decades or so from the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, there were false professors of true religion. We see a reflection of this foreshadowed in today’s devotional reading of Numbers 32. The tribes of Rueben, Gad, and half of the tribe of Manasseh wanted to live on the east side of the Jordan rather than crossing the river and entering the Promised Land with the rest of Israel. These tribes promised to go in and fight alongside their brethren, but they wanted to leave their families and their livestock in the land of Jazer and Gilead. Once they finished helping Israel conquer the land, they would return to their families and cattle. These tribes provide a picture from the Old Testament of those John writes about in this second chapter of his first epistle. They did not have the love of the Father, but instead, loved the world (1 Jn 2:15). By returning to the east of Jordan, they were like those who say of Christ, “I know Him,” yet their lives do not reflect any saving or sanctifying change in behavior (1 Jn 2:4).
The problem illustrated by the ancient Reubenites, Gadites, and Manassehites, as well as the issues of John’s day, still exist in local churches today. There are those who attend church, fighting as it were right alongside us, praying with us, singing praises with us, claiming to know Christ as we do, yet living outside of the blessings and promises of the gospel and the sanctified possession Christ has given us. Their home and happiness is on the other side of Jordan, separate from the gospel and God’s people. While Christ leads us into a “land” of His gospel promises, we are not to merely go along for a while and leave. We must be ever and always where Christ Jesus is— where He has led us. The blessings of the gospel apart from the presence of Christ are false blessings at best (Matt 7:21-23).
The Lord above has come to lead
His people through the land;
Though some “confess,” they still will leave,
Not wanting gospel plans.