The Ultimate Power Source
We have tasted the heavenly gift…shared in the Holy Spirit…tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age. Heb. 6:4-5 (emphases mine) On a grand scale, we are living in the intersection of the ages. (see diagram below) Christ’s first coming was the inauguration of a new kingdom and his second coming will be another installment of the same. A “foretaste” is a small anticipatory sample of something that will happen in the future to a greater degree. Living on the foretaste is to live focused on God’s promises, being thankful for those already fulfilled and expectant for those still in formation.
The power of the age to come makes our lives gloriously sustainable in the here and now.
A Bright Future
The future is as bright as the promises of God. So said William Carey, a pioneer in the missions movement, who spent forty-one years serving in India. Carey was stricken with malaria, lost his five year old to dysentery, and his wife succumbed to mental distress. He once wrote to a friend: “I am in a strange land; no Christian friend, a large family, and nothing to supply their wants. Well, I have God, and his word is sure.” Those who lay down their lives in such a sacrificial way, have had a foretaste of something divine. Living on the glory of God, albeit but a foretaste, is a wonderful privilege. I think we can all relate to Carey’s words to a degree. We are after all, strangers and exiles in this age. Heb. 11:13 (AMP)
Prince of Life
The price paid for this glorious privilege, was an extravagant one. “But you disowned and denied the Holy and Righteous One and asked for [the pardon of] a murderer to be granted to you. But you killed the Prince (Author, Originator, Source) of life, whom God raised [bodily] from the dead. Acts 3:14-15 “But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.” Heb. 2:9 The Prince of Life tasted death for everyone – so that everyone, might taste life.
Faithfully, Patiently, Advancing
The Book of Hebrews contains five warning passages designed to keep us focused on the supremacy of Christ. The most sobering perhaps, is here: “It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.” Heb. 6:4-6 Tasted the goodness of the Word…tasted the powers of the coming age. One who turns away from this foretaste, will find the path home an arduous one. The writer is hopeful however Heb. 6:9 and encourages us to keep the faith. “We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.” Heb. 6:12
Promise Keeper
“The Spirit is the guarantee [the first installment, the pledge, a foretaste] of our inheritance until the redemption of God’s own [purchased] possession [His believers], to the praise of His glory.” Eph. 1:14 (AMP) “Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 2 Cor. 1:21-22 If anyone can be counted on to follow up on the down payment, with further distributions, it’s God!
Guaranteed, ongoing deposits by God, ensure the fact of reliable, ample, supply, to cover the withdrawals on my end.