God Did It!

God Did It!

“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells . . . .” Rom. 7:18.

“Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest in the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh . . . .” Heb. 10:19-20.

Here we see that Jesus’ flesh was the veil that shut us out from the Holiest, that is, from living before God’s face. This was the same flesh as Paul’s, about which he writes that nothing good dwells in it, as we also have experienced. In spite of all our good intentions we were powerless because of the flesh.

God gave the law to Israel, which was of great help to them, but even the law was powerless because of the flesh. Therefore God has given us a glorious message through Jesus Christ. Rom. 1:1-4.

“For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh . . . .” Rom. 8:3.

This was the good tidings for all those who sorrowed over their sin and wanted to live for God. “For what the law could not do,” and we can add, “and what every man could not do,” “God did by sending His own Son.” We know that Jesus said on the cross, “It is finished!” John 19:30. Now the impossible had become possible. God has made possible what was impossible. This is the gospel of God.

Not many people can proclaim this message. They still say it is impossible when they hear about an overcoming life. Most people do not proclaim more than the forgiveness of sins, which is what those in the old covenant also proclaimed.

What is it that God made possible? “That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You . . . .” John 17:21. This was impossible before, but it is possible now—not only one in doctrine, but one as the Father and the Son are one. “Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy . . . .” Col. 1:11. Strengthened with all might, all patience, and all longsuffering! How much impatience is left then? Living without getting angry? Almost everyone will cry out: “Impossible!” because they do not believe in God’s work through Jesus. Therefore they do not have any other message than that it is impossible. But is that a glorious message? Is that something with which to travel to the heathen? The glad tidings which God has given us through His Son is: that God did what was impossible! This gives us hope and redemption. We read more about what is possible: “To know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Eph. 3:19. You say, “All God’s fullness? I can’t understand that.” Well then, let us read further: “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us . . . .” V. 20.

This power of God is working in us. This goes far beyond what we understand; but God’s work also abundantly exceeds our understanding, and this work transpires in those who believe.

What was this mighty work that God did in Jesus? It was that He sent Him in a flesh that was so strong that the law and every person were too weak to deal with it; therefore God condemned sin in the flesh. This sin that took the power from us was put to death through Jesus. We can now bear Jesus’ death with us in our body. 2 Cor. 4:10. We have also received the Holy Spirit. By the Spirit we can put to death the deeds of the body. Rom. 8:13. Now we no longer need to be led by the flesh; we can be led by the Spirit. V. 14. Then we are God’s children.

This is the gospel: “Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.” Acts 13:38-39. What is then left of that from which we cannot be justified? What, then, is impossible? Nothing, for the veil has been rent! The way goes through the flesh. Now we can put to death by the Spirit everything that meets us on this way. Nothing can shut us out any longer. What was impossible, God did. Jesus said, “It is finished!” Let us proclaim this with great boldness so that the shout from unbelievers: “It is impossible!” can be drowned out by the words of faith: “It is possible!!!”