Paul's "Immovables
In Hebrews 12:27-29 we read, "And this word, yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that have been made, that those things which are not shaken may remain. Wherefore, receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us have grace, whereby we may offer service well-pleasing to God with reverence and awe for our God is a consuming fire."
We are living today in an age of uncertainty — a time of shifting, and changing. Nothing seems to be permanent. It has been said: "Death and decay and passing away are written on the wings of time, and timely things." There is a constant upheaval; a "shaking down" and "passing away" of the things belonging to time.
This continual change can be seen in the fields of transportation, communication, the sciences, governments and in the realm of religion. Old methods have been discarded and have given way to new and startling innovations.
However, we are most concerned about the rabid changes in the field of religion. Many truths today are denied, from pulpits and outstanding religious leaders, which were a decade or so ago believed, debated and staunchly defended. We have witnessed the new doctrines: "God is dead"; "The New Morality"; the softening of the age old Catholic doctrines; the ecumenical movement; the humanizing of Christ and the widespread effects of the social gospel. We have observed fundamental doctrines denounced, such as: The Virgin Birth, the bodily resurrection, the miracles of the New Testament and the Inspiration of the Holy Scriptures.
In churches of Christ we have seen first-hand the gross departures from "The Ancient Landmarks" and the adopting of new and startling innovations. Brethren in Christ have talked about Unity among God's people, and at the same time brought into the church and defended various human projects and institutions which God's Word says absolutely nothing about, thus causing division and strife. Indeed, these are earthquake times; many are concerned and are asking with Bruce Barton, "What can a man believe?"
Paul assures us here in Hebrews 12 that the "shaking down" of human schemes, institutions, doctrines and devices only reveal more clearly the fact that there are things "that cannot be shaken." The Holy Scriptures offer us the only -3undation upon which we can stand secure. (Matt. 7:24-25).
Let us, then, observe the things about which Paul could be sure:
1. The Kingdom (The Church Of Jesus Christ).
The Lord promised that the gates of hades should not prevail against His church (Matt. 16:18). The prophets of old had freely predicted that the church would be built upon an immovable foundation. Jesus Christ was to be the chief cornerstone (Isa. 28:16; Dan. 2:44; Eph. 2:20-22).
2. The Truth (God's Eternal Word).
The reason the Kingdom will "remain" is because it is built upon the Truth. The church rests firmly upon the eternal truth, that Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God; hence, so long as that truth remains — and that will be forever — the church will stand. In Matt. 24:35, our Lord taught concerning the indestructibility of His Word. Hear Him: "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." Again, Peter quotes from Isaiah and affirms the same truth: "All flesh is as grass, and all the glory thereof as the flower of the grass. The grass withereth, and the flower falleth: but the word of the Lord abideth forever. And this is the word of good tidings which was preached unto you." (I Peter 1:24-25).
3. The Assurance Of Pardon
Paul was sure of his conversion and his relation to God. He said, "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death. (Rom. 8:2). Again, "For which cause I suffer also these things: yet I am not ashamed; for I know him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to guard that which I have committed unto him against that day."
(II Tim. 1:12). Also, "The Spirit himself heareth witness with our spirit, that we are children of God..." (Rom. 8:16). This by no means teaches "once in grace always in grace," but to the contrary: when- one complies with the conditions of salvation, stated in the New Testament, he has the Divine Assurance of Pardon. This is the reason for the occasions of rejoicing following the conversions recorded in The Acts of Apostles (Acts 8-16).
4. The Love Of God.
Man's love is changeable, frivolous, fickle and "can be shaken." But God's love is "immovable," "unshakeable" and certain. Paul states the truth in Romans 8:36-39. In essence he is saying that nothing, not any persecutions or outside powers, can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus. Certainly none of these external qualities can cause God to cease loving mankind.
The only thing that can cause men to stop loving God is sin. (Isa. 59:1-2). "And because iniquity shall be multiplied, the love of many shall wax cold." (Matt. 24:12)...Paul was aware of the possibility of his own falling and that he could quit loving God (I Cor. 9:27); but , he never one time questioned the stability of God's love.
5. The Home Of The Soul.
Paul was sure of his home beyond death. Hear him: "For we know that if the earthly house of our tabernacle be dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens." (II Cor. 5:1). Man's mortal body is one of those "things that are made." It will decay — it must decay. (Eccl. 12:7; I Cor. 15: 53-58). The Home of the Soul is Eternal.
Jesus Christ asked, "For what shall a man be profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and forfeit his life? or what shall a man give in exchange for his life? (Matt. 16:26). The soul is man's most precious and valuable possession because it "remains" and is eternal. Nothing that belongs to time will endure. "Except Jehovah build the house they labor in vain that build it." (Psa. 127:1).
Life is slowly passing away; Death is certain; the Judgment and Eternity lie ahead of all of us. "Seeing that these things are thus all to be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy living and godliness...?" (II Peter 3:11).
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