“God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God” {Ps 53:2 }.

The “children of men,” those born of the flesh from the seed of the Adamic nature, have no inherent desire for God. Only as His Spirit draws them can their deadened spirits become enlivened and enlightened: “darkness [is] upon the face of the very great deep [and] the Spirit of God [is] moving (hovering, brooding) over the face of the waters” {Gen 1:2}. Implanted within the reawakened spirit of those reborn by the Spirit of God is the seed of Christ. These, like Jacob, have wrestled with the living God. When “[The Man] asked him, What is your name?…[in shock of realization, whispering] he said, Jacob [supplanter, schemer, trickster, swindler]!” {Gen 32:27}. Similarly, the realization of his own corrupt nature caused the apostle Paul to write, “I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing” {Rom 7:18a}.

In truth “…there is none that doeth good” {Ps 5 3:1}, for we cannot “do” beyond who or what we “are.” Yet, before the foundation of the world God had appointed unto Jacob the destiny of becoming Israel. At Jacob’s confession, God changed (transformed) both his name and his nature: “And He said, Your name shall be called no more Jacob [supplanter], but Israel [a prince with God]” {Gen 32:28a}. Symbolically Jacob here represents those born of the flesh, natural birth, who live under the control of their unrenewed minds, their self-determined wills, and their fluctuating emotions. In contrast, Israel represents those born of the Spirit of God whose souls (minds, wills and emotions) are trained to be under the direction and control of the Spirit of God. Of whose nature do we partake? That of fallen Adam or resurrected Christ?

God promises to release His elect from the enemy: “When God bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.” The Amplified reads, “When God restores the fortunes of his people…”{Ps 53:6b }. How great the release from satan’s bondage into the wealth of Christ’s Kingdom. Even Jacob, the as-yet unredeemed portion of the remnant, will rejoice, recalling the long-forgotten message spoken by the Father in eternity past and will rejoice (joy again), as at the beginning. “As for you, keep in your hearts what you heard from the beginning” {I John 2:24a}.

Israel, those princes in training for kingship, will partake of the Father’s delight in the release and gathering of those for whose liberation they have prayed and for whose return the Father has so long awaited. Together, they will realize the manifestation of their desire: “Then the King will say to those at His right hand, Come, you blessed of My Father [you favored of God and appointed to eternal salvation], inherit (receive as your own) the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” {Matt 25:34}.

-Ruth French

May Newsletter 2004 | A Calm Crisis | Identity Theft | Pastor's Journal May 2004

The Religious | Partakers: With Whom and Of What part 2 of 3

Hit Counter

Search this site:

Biblical Counseling for Leaders