1271. 1. Ye Are a Generation

1. Ye Are a Generation

(1) An Old Testament query. When the Holy Spirit was writing the story of Christ's early death, the cry was made, "And who shall declare His generation? for He was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of My people was He stricken" (Isa_53:8).

It was a matter of more than disappointment for the Jewish home to be childless; it was a matter almost of shame. Thus as Christ was described as "cut off" "crucified," the question above became a keen one.

The reply is seen in Isa_53:10, "When Thou shalt make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed."

(2) A New Testament reply. "Ye are a generation." Saints are the sons of God born of the Spirit, but born through the death pangs of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The word "generation" carries with it the thought of birth. We are children of God, because we have been born of God.

The word "generation" carries with it the thought of a new creation. We are new creatures because we have been created in Christ Jesus.

The word "generation" carries with it the thought of something being generated which did not before exist. Generation is commonly called regeneration, because it is a second birth. But the word "regeneration" is improperly used when it is made to teach that, in the new life, generated by the Spirit of God, the old life is generated over again.

We are born again, because we are born twice, but the two births are not at all related. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Some have defined "regeneration as a change of heart;" this is wholly incorrect. Regeneration is not a change of anything which the sinner already possesses, it is a new thing. "If any man be in Christ Jesus he is a new creature," not a changed creature.

(3) A marvelous sequence. Being born again we become partakers of the Divine nature. We have a being created after God, in righteousness and true holiness. We are sons, and as sons we are recipients of the nature of the Father. "That which is born of God sinneth not."

2. Ye are a Chosen Generation. Christians not only are a generation, but they are a chosen generation. The adjective is worthy of consideration. Jesus Christ said, "I have chosen you."

In Eph_1:4 we read, "According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world." The 5th verse says, "In love having predestinated us unto the adoption of children!"

Jesus Christ gives eternal life to as many as the Father has given Him. Where is there a truth more comforting? Those who, in the eternal past, were ordained unto eternal life, will surely believe unto salvation in the times present.

Election and predestination usually, has to do with things additional to salvation, to the sonship of children; to the conforming us to the image of His Son: to the gathering together in one, all things in Christ; to one standing holy and without blame before Him in love.

Election and predestination, however, also enters the realm of regeneration–"As many as were chosen unto eternal life, believed."

Some cavil at the word "chosen" because it seems to their finite minds to conflict with that precious Scriptural truth: "Whosoever will may come." This is an imaginary difficulty.

The word "chosen" holds no more maze to the mind, than the word "generation." Both words are past human research. We can neither understand the why of the adjective "chosen," nor the how of the substantive "generation," but both words are exceedingly precious and comforting.

What joy to know we are chosen and held in the hand of a God who is able to work all things after the counsel of His will; and that we are generated and made partakers of the nature of One who is holy and separate from sinners.

3. Ye are a chosen generation that ye may show forth the glories of sonship. Three things may be said.

(1) Sons may glorify their father by carrying his image in their face. Sons should interpret their father, tell him out. This is just what the Lord Jesus Christ did. He was the very image of the Father's character; He gave glory unto God because He declared God.

How carefully Christians should walk! We need to guard well our words and works, that we may give glory to God.

(2) Sons may glorify their father by a close walk with him. Thus they may show forth the glory of fellowship. When Christians run riot after the flesh pots of Egypt, they plainly dishonor the Father. They seem to say to the world, "There is no fullness of joy, no pleasures for evermore for me in the Father's presence. I must leave Him and go to the pastimes of this world to satisfy my heart longings."

The elder son, living at home, was almost as much of a disgrace to the father as the younger son lusting away from home. The elder son was with the father, but he plainly showed by his words that he was interested in having a feast with his friends, far more than he was interested in any heart-to-heart fellowship with his father.

(3) Sons may glorify their father by delighting in his plans and purposes for their future. Thus they show forth the glory of their inheritance as sons.

How wonderful it is that sons are heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ! All the riches of God are included in this heirship. How shameful then it is for sons to forget their stranger and pilgrim calling down here!

When believers, sons, are forever adding house to house and land to land; when they are set on laying up treasures down here, upon looking at the things that are seen, and loving the world, they are more of a disgrace than a glory to God.

Let us glorify God by minimizing the things of earth, the temporal things, and by magnifying the things of Heaven, the eternal things.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR