Monday, July 5, 2021

Too Deep

By Clifton Angel

    It is very frightening to be too deep. I may desire to go deep-sea fishing, but I do not desire to go deep-sea swimming. It is too deep. I may desire to go on a guided tour in a cave, but I do not desire to enter a cave alone and unguided. It is too deep. I love to observe the beauty of deep outer space (e.g., the stars), but I would never want to be in deep outer space. It is too deep. Depth or deepness causes fear for us in many situations in our lives, but I want us to see five things that are too deep, which actually bring assurance instead of anxiety; comfort instead of concern; fulfillment instead of fear.
    The first four come from Romans 11:33. "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!" From this passage, we are reminded of the vast depths of God’s wisdom (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:19–21; James 3:17; James 1:5–7), God’s knowledge (cf. Psalm 139:1–6), God’s judgments (Psalm 119:7, 13, 20, 30, 39, 43, 52, 62, 66, 75, 84, 102, 106, 108, 120–121, 137, 149, 156, 160, 164, 175), and God’s ways (Psalm 25:4; 119:3, 15; 128:1; 145:17). Truly these aspects of God are too deep for us to fully comprehend, yet these should bring comfort instead of fear. Furthermore, we seek to grow in them and closer to Him.
    The fifth item that is too deep for us to fully comprehend is God's Love. This fact comes from Ephesians 3:18–19. Paul prayed that the Ephesian Christians "May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God." Paul prayed that they would be able to comprehend and know God's Love through Jesus, yet he says it is a love that surpasses all knowledge.
    Truly, God's Wisdom, Knowledge, Judgments, Ways, and Love are too deep for our complete understanding. Yet, these have been revealed by the Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:10). And, they are reachable through Christ (Ephesians 3:11–12). Some may say: "I'm afraid of betraying my family for Christ — I'm just in too deep;" or, "I'm afraid to leave the church I'm attending, even though I know what they are doing is contrary to the Bible — I'm just in too deep;" or, "I'm afraid God could never forgive me for all the sins I've committed — I'm in too deep." The good news is, if we will trust God and obey God, none of these are too deep for Him.
    Have you obeyed His plan for you?
- Clifton Angel preaches for the Coldwater Church of Christ in Coldwater, MS. He may be contacted through that congregation's website: http://www.coldwatercofc.com/


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