Aug
4
Written by:
Bob Flynn
8/4/2008 3:50 PM
"The first Divine movement for the salvation of an individual, after the prayer of intercession by the Spirit, is illumination by the Spirit." (Dr. Lewis Sperry Chafer, Satan)
No matter at what aspect of the miracle of salvation I look, I see how great was the Divine involvement.
"The first Divine movement for the salvation of an individual, after the prayer of intercession by the Spirit, is illumination by the Spirit. This same work is also mentioned as the "convicting" or "convincing" of the Spirit. In this part of the Divine undertaking, the blinding by Satan is temporarily removed and the soul beholds, by Divine vision, the Lord of glory and the way into eternal life through Him: but woe to the soul thus favored, who repeatedly turns from that vision in rejection! Of such it is written:
"For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessings from God: but that which beareth thorns and briars is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak" (Hebrews 6:4-9).
Here there is pronounced a permanent return to the awful blindness of Satan for the one who rejects the illumination of the Spirit; but there is also offered an ever-widening of vision and glory to the one who accepts the Lord as He is revealed by the Spirit, for he then comes into possession of the "things that accompany salvation." (Dr. Lewis Sperry Chafer, Satan)
No matter at what aspect of the miracle of salvation I look, I see how great was the Divine involvement. Not that I wish to diminish the importance of the human will in making a decision, for that would be an error in itself. Rather to recognize the insurmountable forces that fight against this very event and consider the planned intervention by the Holy of Holies into the life of the unbeliever that provides for every need that would allow the "helpless," "reprobate," "blinded," "deceived," and "rebellious" human will say yes to Christ Jesus! No we are not puppets! We are loved! Loved by a Father who did not hesitate to everything in His power to redeem that which was lost. When I ponder this love expressed to me, I am undone! How great is Thy Salvation!