The work of a gospel preacher beautifully and succinctly stated...
76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by ...the remission of their sins,
78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,
79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. --- Luke 1
1. To give knowledge of salvation unto His people...
- It's not the knowledge of how to get saved, but informing them the truth of their salvation by God's grace, that His people may know the truth of their salvation.
- Knowledge of salvation can only be given to those already spiritually alive! Spiritual things are spiritually discerned.
- Such knowledge is foolishness to the spiritually dead!
2. To give light to them that sit in darkness...
- The light to expel the darkness of ignorance, and superstition and bondage to errors.
- Only the living can be enlightened with the truth. The dead needs to be quickened!
- No one gives light to the dead... the dead needs no light!
3. To guide their feet into the way of peace...
- To know that God has reconciled them to Himself through Jesus Christ...
- To believe it is to experientially enter into the way of peace with our Father.
- Again, only the living can be guided into the way of peace. The dead can't be guided; they need to be born by God.
Their salvation is by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us.
And please note, "HATH VISITED US" ... not "will visit us" if or when we believe! The good news is what God HAS DONE to save us... it is not an offer of what God will be if/when we meet some conditions.
76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by ...the remission of their sins,
78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,
79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. --- Luke 1
1. To give knowledge of salvation unto His people...
- It's not the knowledge of how to get saved, but informing them the truth of their salvation by God's grace, that His people may know the truth of their salvation.
- Knowledge of salvation can only be given to those already spiritually alive! Spiritual things are spiritually discerned.
- Such knowledge is foolishness to the spiritually dead!
2. To give light to them that sit in darkness...
- The light to expel the darkness of ignorance, and superstition and bondage to errors.
- Only the living can be enlightened with the truth. The dead needs to be quickened!
- No one gives light to the dead... the dead needs no light!
3. To guide their feet into the way of peace...
- To know that God has reconciled them to Himself through Jesus Christ...
- To believe it is to experientially enter into the way of peace with our Father.
- Again, only the living can be guided into the way of peace. The dead can't be guided; they need to be born by God.
Their salvation is by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us.
And please note, "HATH VISITED US" ... not "will visit us" if or when we believe! The good news is what God HAS DONE to save us... it is not an offer of what God will be if/when we meet some conditions.
