Treasure Found

Bobservations Column
By Pastor Bob Lawrenz

The “Kingdom of Heaven” analogies continue. These simple explanations are made to help the Apostles understand a bit more about the perfect mind of their perfect God. These are His thoughts about what our lives could be like, were it not for sin entering the world and blinding men through the flesh, and distracting them from the Spirit realm. Overcoming sin is now our purpose.

“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”  -  Galatians 5:17

Trying to blend the flesh and the Spirit is like mixing oil and water; they do not mix. What one cannot do is to mix them and expect them to stay mixed. The density of the oil will always cause it to rise and float on the surface of the water.

This was always problematic for lubricant companies, trying to make a lubricant that would not separate out from water. We are all familiar with the spray lubricant, WD-40. The key for them in developing the product was to alter the molecular structure of oil so that lubricant could be used around or even under water. They wanted an oil product that would displace water, rather than vice-versa. They succeeded after 40 individual formulas were tested. Now we have this wonderfully versatile lubricant, “Water Displacement-40,” more commonly known as simply WD-40.

But, the oil molecules still stick together, and the water molecules still stick to other water molecules. The final formula added silicone to the oil, so now the oil is less dense than water, but still retains the property of not fully mixing with water. So, reiterating the quote above, “these are contrary the one to the other: “ They cannot be fully integrated one to the other.

So too, the flesh and the Spirit cannot be integrated, or melded together.

“Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected (through) the flesh?”  - Galatians 3:3

Jesus wants all of us, not just a portion. And since flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God, the Spirit must displace the flesh. (1 Cor. 15:50)

“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”  - Galatians 5:16

(Think of Jesus, in the Spirit, walking on the water.)

Today's Audio Message:

Matthew 13:44-58 - "Treasure Found!"

Summary:

The parables of the "treasure hid in a field" and the "one pearl of great price" both teach the same basic truth under two different figures, just as did the parables of the mustard seed and the leaven. The latter two spoke of evil entering the growing kingdom. These two, on the other hand, both speak of the tremendous value of becoming true citizens of the kingdom. In both cases, the one finding the kingdom gave up everything he had to gain it. The value of the kingdom of heaven is so great that everything else is worthless in comparison. Paul, like the men who liquidated everything they had to gain the treasure they found, counted as worthless everything else compared to priceless treasure of life in Christ. Just so, Paul said, "I have suffered the loss of all things...that I may win Christ" (Philippians 3:8). God is pleased with those who - like the men in these two parables - "diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6).

How much do you value life in Christ? If you are not a believer, someone who has placed their faith alone in Jesus Christ for salvation from sin – what is holding you back? What are you counting as worth more than life with Him? Believers – what is holding you back from being all that you know that you should be in serving Him? What could possibly have more value than living for Christ?

If per chance you think there is something, the next parable should put things back into reality.

The parable of the dragnet (net) is similar to the wheat and the tares, except for the emphasis is not on the fact that the good and bad are now mixed together, but rather the emphasis is on the judgment at the end when the good and bad will be separated. God is longsuffering and not willing that any should perish but that all should repent (2 Peter 3:9), that is why He is so tolerant of sinful men and women at this present time, but a day is coming in which His period of patience will end and judgment will come. That judgment will seem quick when it comes, but that is only because sinful man refuses to see the warning signs. A fish swimming through the water does not think twice about a net should it happen to bump into it. It simply swims away from it thinking itself to be free. But slowly, the net draws around it and only as that net closes together do the fish become excited and start thrashing about, but by then it is too late. They are caught in the net and gathered, the good will be separated from the bad, and the bad will be cast out forever. Hell is not a place you want to go to even if you do have friends there, for it is not a place where sinners will be gathered together in camaraderie to enjoy sins perverted pleasure. It is a place of constant torment, misery, and pain that will last forever.

Lastly, in the Parable of the Householder, His disciples are to be like scribes. Since they have understood both the Old Testament and these new truths about the kingdom of God, then they should be like the head of a household that provides for his family by giving them what is needed. They should provide the way of eternal life to others by teaching them what they have learned - that God has provided a way of salvation to people who are currently on the path to Hell. Christian, are you spreading the message, both the warning and the hope of the gospel?