The Firm Foundation of the Lord (2 Timothy 2:19)
Glory be to God
The Firm Foundation of the Lord
"The foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are His. And, let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” (2 Timothy 2:19)
One clear seal of the foundation of God standeth sure is for the Lord knows them that are His. On many occasions when Jesus said to some that He knew them not. (Matthew 7:23; 25:12; Luke 13:27) it is our privilege in the presence of God that our God knoweth us. Not everyone, for the Lord knows those with certain special experiences. Therefore may God help us also to have such special experiences. Let us learn these distinctive qualities one by one.
Firstly, when we read for the Lord knoweth them that are His (2 Timothy 2:19), Jesus also says that He knoweth them that are His (John 10:14). Having redeemed by God and those who àre His are called by their name for they are Lord's (Isaiah 43:1). In this New Testament period, Jesus Christ came into the world as the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world (John 1:29). One group of people have been redeemed by the precious spotless, blemishless blood of Lamb (1 Peter 1:18-19). Thus, redeemed, a chosen generation and peculiar people to shew forth the praises of Him who hath called are Lord's (1 Peter 2:9-10). As the Good Shepherd Jesus lay down His life for the sheep, whom He knows (John 10:14-15).Those who receive Him and believe in His name become children of God – they are the sheep of Jesus whom He knew (John1:12). In Matthew 1:21 we read Jesus save His people from their sins. Therefore, through the death on the cross, we received remission of sins thereby we are redeemed and are now made His own peculiar ones whom God knows. Every unrighteousness is sin (1 John 5:17), therefore receive remission of sins and depart from all unrighteousness those who call on the name of the Lord. Jesus says, “Sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee"(John 5:14; 8:11).
Continually we must abide with the Lord so that it is evident that we are His people (1 John 2:19). The Lord loves His own to the very end (John 13:1). Therefore, we must continue in the love of Jesus. Just as Jesus abides in the Father’s love by keeping His commandments, even so if we keep His commandments we can also abide in the love of Jesus (John 15:9-10). Furthermore in Numbers 16:5 when God will reveal who are His and who is holy, He will cause them to come near unto Him for He has chosen them. The experience of the budded buds bloomed blossoms and yielded almonds is the sign of revealing whom He has chosen (Numbers 17:5-8). For we are chosen to bring forth fruit (John 15:16).Therefore, we must remain in the Lord and bear much fruit (John 15:4-5). It will be the fruit unto holiness (Romans 6:22), then we'll become sanctified ones who get closer to God and dwell with Him as His. Thereby, in eternity also we will dwell with Jesus in the place He is preparing for us(John 14:3).
Secondly, the sheep of Jesus hears the voice of Jesus and follow Him, therefore Jesus knows them (John 10: 26-27).Those who hear the word of Jesus and doeth them not and those who do that which is not said, to them Jesus says I never knew you depart from me, ye that work iniquity (Matthew 7:21-27). They that keep His works unto the end, to them will He give power to live and to reign with Him (Revelation 2:26).This speciality is seen in His apostles, who shall sit upon the twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel, when Jesus shall sit in the throne of His glory (Matthew 19:28). Many disciples were offended and followed Him not saying, this is hard saying who can hear it, but the twelve remained without turning back saying, " Thou hast the words of eternal life" and followed Him (John 6:60,66-68). Those who hear His words and do shall stand firm without falling (Matthew 7:24-25). Therefore we must keep His ways, without declining, not going back from the commandment of His lips, having esteemed the words of His mouth more than the necessary food (Job 23:10-12) Let us have the experience of Jesus knowing us, by hearkening unto the voice of the Good Shepherd, by going behind His steps thereby we become His own and follow Him.
Thirdly “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him" (Nahum 1:7). God is always good in our lives and our present help in times of trouble. But blessed is the man that trusteth in Him for they taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8). Truly we must take refuge in God and trust only Him. In Jeremiah 17:5 it is said cursed be the man that trusteth in man and maketh flesh his arm and whose heart departeth from the Lord. Whereas in Jeremiah 17:7 blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord and whose hope the Lord is. Trusting God, whose mind stayed upon Him (Isaiah 26:3). A double minded man is unstable in all his ways, for he shall receive nothing of the Lord (James 1:6-8). For the eyes of the Lord run towards whose heart is perfect and them that trust Him for He knoweth them. To them He shew Himself strong (2 Chronicles 16:9). Therefore, he that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty, for i will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God in Him will i trust (Psalm 91:1-2).
Fourthly, Jesus says He knows whom He has chosen (John 13:18).We must understand clearly that it is not we that choose Him, but He chose us (John 15:16). His kindness is longsuffering to us-ward therefore it is His kindness and bowels of mercies that we are chosen and got this high experience. It is not by works, but by grace through faith that we are saved – it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8-9).God has chosen the weak, base,despised and things which are not, so that no flesh should glory in His presence (1 Corinthians 1:27-29). Therefore, knowing our election, let us live accordingly (1 Thessalonians 1:4). In John 15:19 our God has chosen us out of the world so that we should not live as of the world. That is, Jesus is not of the world, so we too must live as we are not of the world (John 17:14-16). Therefore we must live not being conformed to this world (Romans 12:2 ).Pure religion and undefiled before God is to keep himself unspotted from the world (James 1:27). Therefore, when we are living in this world, let us live by escaping the corruption that is in the world through lust ( 2 Peter 1:4).
Again in John 15:16 Jesus says, that He has chosen us so that we should go and bring forth fruit that remain. It is certain that those who beareth not fruit, God himself taketh them away (John 15:2). When God created trees, He created tree yielding fruit whose seed is in itself (Genesis 1:11-12).Therefore we should not be trees without fruit (Jude 1:12). Let us be fruit bearing trees with seed which is the word of God or trees giving fruit according to the word of God. Our Lord the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth (James 5:7). By understanding this let us bring forth much fruit by abiding in our Lord (John 15:5). Not only that, it is necessary that our fruit must remain. Let us stand before God having all manner of pleasant fruits by laying up all old and new without throwing away anything when He comes to gather (Song of Songs 7:13). The firm foundation of God, everlasting determination standeth sure He clearly knoweth them that are His (2 Timothy 2:19). Therefore let us be gathered to Him as His, on the day of His appearance when He cometh to make up His own (Malachi 3:17 Tamil).May the Lord our God help to prepare and bless all of us.
