Sermon: Effectuate [ih-fek-choo-eyt]
by Chris Cumming
On the first Holy Day we had the sermon Ascendency which spoke to the concept of stopping temptation with scripture. This was a very appropriate sermon for the first Holy Day which denotes our entrance into the salvation process and principle of overcoming sin. If one can do this throughout his or her journey through the process and remain in that process to the end, they are assured eternal life in the Kingdom of God.
This Holy Day is about staying in the salvation process to the end. As we proceed I want you to take notice of how many times we speak to overcoming temptation and putting on Christ who destroyed every temptation. Let us begin with the title of this sermon.
Effectuate means, "to bring about." You have entered into the salvation process; now effectuate it by bringing it to a successful conclusion.
Bring about your salvation.
Notice a key verse as we begin to immerse ourselves into the subject.
James 1:12
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is
tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised
to them that love him.
Going now to the Barnes Notes commentary.
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation - The apostle seems here to use the word “temptation” in the most general sense, as denoting anything that will try the reality of religion, whether affliction, or persecution, or a direct inducement to sin placed before the mind. The word temptation appears in this chapter to be used in two senses; and the question may arise, why the apostle so employs it. Compare James 1:2, James 1:13. But, in fact, the word “temptation” is in itself of so general a character as to cover the whole usage, and to justify the manner in which it is employed. It denotes anything that will try or test the reality of our religion; and it may be applied, therefore, either to afflictions or to direct solicitations to sin - the latter being the sense in which it is now commonly employed. In another respect, also, essentially the same idea enters into both the ways in which the word is employed.
Quoted verses:
James 1:2
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers
temptations;
James 1:13
Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot
be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man.
Continuing now with the commentary for, "Blesses is the man that endureth temptation.”
Affliction, persecution, sickness, etc., may be regarded as, in a certain sense, temptations to sin; that is, the question comes before us whether we will adhere to the religion on account of which we are persecuted, or apostatize from it, and escape these sufferings; whether in sickness and losses we will be patient and submissive to that God who lays his hand upon us, or revolt and murmur. In each and every case, whether by affliction, or by direct allurements to do wrong, the question comes before the mind whether we have religion enough to keep us, or whether we will yield to murmuring, to rebellion, and to sin. In these respects, in a general sense, all forms of trial may be regarded as temptation. Yet in the following verse James 1:13 [quoted above] the apostle would guard this from abuse. So far as the form of trial involved an allurement or inducement to sin, he says that no man should regard it as from God. That cannot be his [the firstfruit's] design. The trial is what he [the firstfruit] aims at, not the sin. In the verse before us he says, that whatever may be the form of the trial, a Christian should rejoice in it, for it will furnish an evidence that he is a child of God.
Note: Did you see that in the commentary? It says that the trial or temptation will furnish an evidence that the firstfruit is a child of God. Isn't this what was going on with the trial of Abraham when God told him to sacrifice his son, Isaac? Let us take a side trip and look at this account:
Genesis 22:1-12
1 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt [the
word means "test"] Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and
he said, Behold, here I am.
2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest,
and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt
offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.
3 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and
took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the
wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of
which God had told him.
4 Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place
afar off.
5 And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I
and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.
6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon
Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they
went both of them together.
7 And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he
said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but
where is the lamb for a burnt offering?
8 And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt
offering: so they went both of them together.
9 And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham
built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his
son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.
10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his
son.
11 And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said,
Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.
12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any
thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast
not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.
Notice that phrase in verse 12, "for now I know that thou fearest God." Does anyone here think that God did not know what was going to happen?
Notice the Barnes Notes Commentary:
Genesis 22:11-14
At this critical moment the angel of the Lord interposes to prevent the actual sacrifice. “Lay not thy hand upon the lad.” Here we have the evidence of a voice from heaven that God does not accept of human victims. Man is morally unclean, and therefore unfit for a sacrifice. He is, moreover, not in any sense a victim, but a doomed culprit, for whom the victim has to be provided. And for a typical sacrifice that cannot take away, but only shadow forth, the efficacious [effective] sacrifice, man is neither fit nor necessary. The lamb without blemish, that has no penal [punishment] or protracted suffering, is sufficient for a symbol of the real atonement. The intention, therefore, in this case was enough, and that was now seen to be real. “Now I know that thou fearest God.” This was known to God antecedent [an-tuh-seed-nt] [prior] to the event that demonstrated it. But the original “I have known” denotes an eventual knowing, a discovering by actual experiment; and this observable probation [character test] of Abraham was necessary for the judicial eye of God, who is to govern the world, and for the conscience of man, who is to be instructed by practice as well as principle. “Thou hast not withheld thy son from me.” This voluntary surrender of all that was dear to him, of all that he could in any sense call his own, forms the keystone of Abraham’s spiritual experience. He is henceforth a tried man. ~Barnes Notes with emphasis mine
The John Gill says, "he knew full well beforehand what would be the consequence of such a trial of him; but this is said after the manner of men, who know things with certainty when they come to pass, and appear plain and evident: or this may be understood of a knowledge of approbation [approval], that the Lord now knew, and approved of the faith, fear, love, and obedience of Abraham, which were so conspicuous in this affair." ~John Gill with emphasis mine
This all goes along with the Barnes Notes commentary on James 1:12 and furnishing an evidence that the firstfruit is a child of God. Now let us continue with the commentary on James 1:12. I will read that verse again:
James 1:12
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he
shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them
that love him.
For when he is tried - In any way - if he bears the trial.
He shall receive the crown of life - See the notes at 2 Timothy 4:8. It is possible that James had that passage in his eye.
Quoted verse:
2 Timothy 4:8 [See
lesson]
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the
Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me
only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Which the Lord hath promised - The sacred writers often speak of such a crown as promised, or as in reserve for the children of God. 2 Timothy 4:8; 1 Peter 5:4; Revelation 2:10; Revelation 3:11; Revelation 4:4.
Quoted verses:
2 Timothy 4:8
already quoted above
1 Peter 5:4
And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of
glory that fadeth not away.
Revelation 2:10
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil
shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall
have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give
thee a crown of life.
Revelation 3:11
Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take
thy crown.
Revelation 4:4
And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the
seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment;
and they had on their heads crowns of gold.
Them that love him - A common expression to denote those who are truly pious, or who are his friends. It is sufficiently distinctive to characterize them, for the great mass of men do not love God. Compare Romans 1:30. ~Barnes Notes
Quoted verse:
Romans 1:30
Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of
evil things, disobedient to parents,
Let us now use the Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge to explore James 1:12. Once again I will give you that verse.
James 1:12
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he
shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them
that love him.
He shall receive the crown of life:
Matthew 25:34
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of
my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of
the world:
Luke 22:28-30
28 Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.
29 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto
me;
30 That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on
thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Notice the commentary on this one:
Ye are they which have continued with me - From the beginning of his ministry, to that very time, they abode by him, and never departed from him, when others withdrew and walked no more with him:
In my temptations - not in the wilderness by Satan; for they were not with him then, not being as yet called to be his disciples and followers: but in his afflictions, by the reproaches, and cavils, and ensnaring questions of the Scribes and Pharisees, and their attempts upon him to take away his life by stoning, &c. which were trials and temptations to him. So the Ethiopic version renders it, "in my affliction": now, since they had stood their ground, and firmly adhered to him in all his trials, he would have them still continue with him, and in his interest, though they should not have that temporal glory and grandeur they expected; but, on the contrary, fresh troubles and exercises, reproach, persecution, and death itself; and, for their encouragement, he promises both pleasure and honour, though of another sort, than what they were seeking after. ~John Gill
Question: How does a firstfruit seek for glory, honor and eternal life?
Romans 2:7-10
7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and
honour and immortality, eternal life:
8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but
obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of
the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the
Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
Question: How does a firstfruit attain an incorruptible crown?
1 Corinthians 9:25
And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things.
Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
Question: In the sermon, Ascendency we learn how Jesus overcame temptation. Are we to partake in those temptations?
1 Peter 4:13
But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that,
when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding
joy.
Question: Jesus overcame temptation and therefore sin. In doing so, He is setting down with God the Father on His throne. Is there a way for you to sit on that throne?
Revelation 3:21
To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as
I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
Bring about your salvation.
Let us look at another key verse. It is very close to James 1:12. Turn
to James 1 and verse 2
James 1:2
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations.
Notice the John Gill on this verse. It makes reference to the account of Abraham's test with Isaac. In this commentary we encounter a single sentence with no less than 302 words. Bear with me.
Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations - not the temptations of Satan, or temptations to sin; for these cannot be matter of joy, but grief; these are fiery darts, and give a great deal of uneasiness and trouble; but afflictions and persecutions for the sake of the Gospel, which are so called here and elsewhere, because they are trials of the faith of God's people, and of other graces of the Spirit of God.
God by these tempts [tests] his people, as he did Abraham, when he called him to sacrifice his son; he thereby tried his faith, fear, love, and obedience; so by afflictions, God tries the graces of his people; not that he might know them, for he is not ignorant of them, but that they might be made manifest to others; and these are "divers": many are the afflictions of the righteous; through much tribulation they must enter the kingdom; it is a great fight of afflictions which they endure, as these believers did; their trials came from different quarters; they were persecuted by their countrymen the Jews, and were distressed by the Gentiles, among whom they lived; and their indignities and reproaches were many; and their sufferings of different sorts, as confiscation of goods, imprisonment of body, banishment, scourgings, and death in various shapes: and these they "fall" into; not by chance, nor altogether at an unawares, or unexpectedly; but they fell into them through the wickedness and malice of their enemies, and did not bring them upon themselves through any crime or enormity they were guilty of: and when this was their case, the apostle exhorts them to count it all joy, or matter of joy, of exceeding great joy, even of the greatest joy; not that these afflictions were joyous in themselves, but in their circumstances, effects, and consequences; as they tried, and exercised, and improved the graces of the Spirit, and worked for their good, spiritual and eternal, and produced in them the peaceable fruit of righteousness; and as they were attended with the presence and Spirit of God, and of glory; and as they made for, and issued in the glory of God; and because of that great reward in heaven which would follow them; see Matthew 5:11. The Jews have a saying:
"whoever rejoices in afflictions that come upon him, brings salvation to the world.'' ~John Gill
Quoted verse:
Matthew 5:11
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall
say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Let us close with some scriptures that link the sermon of the first Holy Day with this one.
Psalm 119:67
Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.
Psalm 119:71
It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy
statutes.
Psalm 119:75
I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in
faithfulness hast afflicted me.
Hebrews 10:32
But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were
illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;
1 Peter 1:6-7
6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye
are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold
that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise
and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
So go now and Effectuate [ih-fek-choo-eyt]
your salvation.