Gracious Revelation

"And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 16: 16, 17)

To come to a knowledge that Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ, and the Son of God, is not the result of ordinary education. To come to have full faith in the message of the gospel, as it respects the work and person of Christ, is the result of God "revealing" it to a person. God may use human messengers to inform a person of the facts of the gospel, but only God can make a man believe it.

"At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. " (Matthew 11: 25 - 27)

The Christian experience of grace and salvation, the experience of the "new birth," consists in having one's "eyes opened," in being "illuminated" and "enlightened" about God and divine things. This is the work of the Spirit of God.

"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you." (John 16: 13-15)

This revelation is given selectively by the Lord. He acts in sovereignty in the bestowal of that which is not deserved. He gives mercy and salvation; it is not earned. The knowledge of Christ, which is necessary for salvation, is not the result of mere human education, although it may act as a lessor means.

Man is so naturally opposed to the bible, the now written revelation, and to the gospel message it contains, that he will never believe it without the work of the Holy Spirit of God speaking to him, in his heart and mind, and convicting and convincing of the saving truth.

In the Christian experience, universally, the believer experiences a revelation of higher knowledge. He knows things after the experience of conversion that he did not know before it. This inner conviction and faith in Christ is the result of the Spirit's witness within the soul of a renewed sinner. "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God." (Romans 8: 16)

Why are not all convinced by the gospel when it is preached? Or, as Paul asked the question - "who makes you to differ from another?" (I Corinthians 4: 7)

Jesus gave us the answer. God reveals saving truth to whomever he pleases to reveal it. It is most gracious. There is no room for the Christian to boast of his saving knowledge. Paul also answered the question. God "makes the difference." "The election has obtained it (for those who have salvation), and the rest were blinded." (Romans 11: 7) The choice and work of God is the sole determining factor as to who is initiated into the mysteries of Christ.

"Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost." (I Thessalonians 1: 4-6)

"And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." (I Corinthians 2: 4,5)

So, when one hears the gospel message, it will not, in itself, save anyone. That message must be attended by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit must "take the things of Christ" and "show it" to the hearer of the gospel. The gospel, when an instrument in the hand of the Holy Spirit, will not fail to convince and enlighten the most spiritually ignorant soul. The gospel, when it is attended with a "demonstration" of the Holy Spirit, and when it comes in the "power" of the Holy Spirit, the sinner is mightily convinced, and wonderfully made a believer.

"And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will." (II Timothy 2: 24- 26)

It is all according to this "peradventure" that makes all the "difference" in the world! So, if you have not been convinced of the truth concerning Christ and the gospel, pray that God will be merciful to you and open your eyes to graciously reveal to you that which he hides from others.