Drawing Near
By John MacArthurGood News Publishers
Copyright © 1993 John F. MacArthur, Jr.
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-58134-413-4
Contents
Introduction,
Daily Readings,
January,
February,
March,
April,
May,
June,
July,
August,
September,
October,
November,
December,
Through the Bible,
CHAPTER 1January 1
THE MEASURE OF TRUESUCCESS
"Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints who are at Ephesus, and who are faithful in Christ Jesus" (Eph. 1:1).
* * *
God is more interested in your faithfulness than He is in your accomplishments.
Our society is success-oriented. We love success stories. We even have television programs that exalt the lifestyles of the rich and famous. But God's standard for success is quite different. Unimpressed by our status or wealth, He looks instead for faithfulness to His will.
Paul understood that principle and diligently pursued his calling as an apostle — one of those unique men who were foundational to the church and who were recipients, teachers, and writers of the New Testament.
That was a high calling, and yet, judging from Paul's lifestyle, most people would hardly call him successful — having suffered imprisonments, beatings, death threats, shipwrecks, robberies, hatred from his theological enemies, sleepless nights, hunger, thirst, and exposure to the elements (2 Cor. 11:23-27). But none of those things deterred him from obeying God's will. His final testimony was, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith" (2 Tim. 4:7). That's true success!
Although we're not apostles, we're to follow Paul's example of faithfulness (1 Cor. 11:1). That's possible because, like the Ephesian believers, we are "saints [holy ones] ... who are faithful in Christ Jesus" (Eph. 1:1). By God's grace we've trusted in Christ as our Lord and Savior (Eph. 2:8-9) and have received His righteousness (Phil. 3:9) and His Spirit (Eph. 3:16) and every spiritual resource necessary for faithful, victorious Christian living (Eph. 1:3).
What remains is to cultivate greater love for Christ and more consistent obedience to His Word. Those are the hallmarks of a true disciple and God's measure of success. Make it your goal that your life today warrants the Lord's commendation: "Well done, good and faithful [servant]" (Matt. 25:21).
* * *
Suggestions for Prayer: Praise God for His wonderful grace, by which He granted you salvation and all the spiritual resources you need. Thank Him for His Word, through which you learn the principles of godly living. Ask Him for opportunities today to encourage the faithfulness of others.
For Further Study: Read Ephesians 1:3-4; 2:10; Titus 2:1112. What is the goal of your salvation? Are you living each day in light of that goal?
January 2
EXPERIENCING GOD'S PEACE
"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" (Eph. 1:2).
* * *
True peace is God's gift to those who love and obey Him.
Throughout history mankind has sought peace through military alliances, balances of power, and leagues of nations. Yet lasting peace still remains an elusive dream. Even during times of relative peace, nations struggle with internal strife and crime.
The Bible says that man on his own cannot know peace because he is alienated from its source. But we need not despair. True peace is immediately available from God our Father ("the God of peace," Rom. 15:33) and from the Lord Jesus Christ (the "Prince of Peace," Isa. 9:6). It's a gift of God's grace to those who love and obey Jesus Christ.
The New Testament so clearly teaches the inextricable link between God's grace and peace that "Grace to you and peace" became a common greeting in the early church. Grace is God's great kindness toward those who are undeserving of His favor but who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ. It is the fountain, and peace is the stream. As recipients of His grace, we have "peace with God" (Rom. 5:1); we are reconciled to Him through faith in His Son, and we will never experience His wrath. We also have the "peace of God" (Phil. 4:7, emphasis added) — the Spirit's way of assuring us that God is in control even in the midst of difficult circumstances. That's why Paul calls it the peace that "surpasses all comprehension" (Phil. 4:7).
The world's peace is relative and fleeting because it is grounded in circumstances. God's peace is absolute and eternal because it is grounded in His grace.
Does God's peace reign in your heart, or have you allowed sin or difficult circumstances to diminish your devotion to Christ?
* * *
Suggestions for Prayer: Thank God that you have peace with Him through faith in Jesus Christ. Ask the Spirit to reveal any sin that might be hindering God's peace from ruling in your heart. Be prepared to respond in confession and repentance. Ask for opportunities to demonstrate God's peace to others today.
For Further Study: Read Philippians 4:6-7. What is God's antidote for anxiety? How does God's peace affect a believer's heart and mind?
January 3
BLESSING THE GOD OF BLESSINGS
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us ..." (Eph. 1:3).
* * *
When we bless God, it is with words of praise; when He blesses us, it is with deeds of kindness.
Paul's brief doxology identifies God the Father as the ultimate recipient and source of blessing — the One to whom blessing is ascribed and the One who bestows blessings on those who love Him.
"Blessed" translates the Greek word eulogeo-, from which we get eulogy. To bless or eulogize God is to praise Him for His mighty works and holy character.
That should be the response of your heart and mine, just as it has been the response of believers throughout the ages. The psalmist said, "Blessed be God, who has not turned away my prayer" (Ps. 66:20); and "Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone works wonders" (Ps. 72:18). Peter said, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (1 Peter 1:3).
When the situation is reversed and God blesses us, it isn't with praise, for apart from Him there is nothing praiseworthy about us. Instead, He gives us undeserved benefits through His many deeds of kindness. Scripture identifies Him as the source of every good thing (James 1:17), who works all things together for our good and His glory (Rom. 8:28).
That is but a sampling of the many blessings He lavishes on us in His Son, Jesus Christ. It's a marvelous cycle: God blesses us with deeds of kindness; we bless Him with words of praise.
Beware of the sin of thanklessness. Recognize God's blessings in your life, and let them fill your heart and lips with humble, sincere praise.
* * *
Suggestions for Prayer: Identify ten specific blessings God has granted to you in recent days, and praise Him for each one. Ask Him to make you more aware of and thankful for His goodness in your life. Always be ready to seek forgiveness when you take His blessings for granted.
For Further Study: Read Psalm 103. What blessings does David mention? How do they apply to your life?
January 4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR SPIRITUAL RESOURCES
"God ... has blessed us with every spiritual blessing" (Eph. 1:3, emphasis added).
* * *
As a Christian, you possess every spiritual resource you need to fulfill God's will for your life.
The story is told of a wealthy London businessman who searched many years for his runaway son. One afternoon he was preparing to board a train to London when he spotted a man in ragged, dirty clothing begging for money from passengers along the station platform. His first impulse was to avoid the beggar, but there was something strangely familiar about him.
When the beggar approached and asked if the man could spare a few shillings, the businessman realized he had found his long-lost son. With tears in his eyes and joy in his voice he embraced his son, crying, "A few shillings? You are my son — everything I have is yours!"
That pictures many Christians who are ignorant or negligent of their spiritual resources. They are children of the King, yet live like spiritual paupers.
Paul repeatedly emphasized our sufficiency as believers. In Colossians 2:10 he declares that in Christ "you have been made complete." In Philippians 4:13, 19 he says, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me ... my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Peter adds that God's "divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness" (2 Peter 1:3).
The word translated "spiritual" in Ephesians 1:3 speaks of the work of the Holy Spirit. Every blessing you receive, whether material or immaterial, has God as its source.
As a Christian, you possess every spiritual resource you need to fulfill God's will for your life. You need not pray for more love, for example, because His love is already poured out in your heart through the Holy Spirit (Rom. 5:5). The same is true of joy (John 15:11), peace (John 14:27), strength (Phil.4:13), and every other resource you need.
The key to spiritual progress and victory is learning to apply what you already have, not seeking more.
* * *
Suggestions for Prayer: Praise God for His abundant spiritual resources. Ask Him to help you apply them with wisdom and consistency.
For Further Study: Read Matthew 6:25-34 and Philippians 4:6-8. * What specific promises does God make in those passages? What does He require of you?
January 5
Cultivating a Heavenly Perspective
"God ... has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places" (Eph. 1:3, emphasis added).
* * *
Christians hold a dual citizenship. We are citizens of earth, but, more importantly, we are also citizens of Heaven.
It's been said that some Christians are so heavenly-minded, they're no earthly good. But usually the opposite is true. Many Christians are so enamored with this present world that they no longer look forward to Heaven. They have everything they want right here. The health, wealth, and prosperity doctrine has convinced them that Christians can have it all, so they pursue "the good life" with a vengeance.
Despite the prevalence of such thinking, the old Negro spiritual says well, "This world is not my home, I'm just a passin' through."
Paul reminds us of that truth in Philippians 3:20: "Our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." That's why we must set our minds on heavenly, not on earthly, things (Col. 3:1-2). Our deepest affections and highest aspirations should center there. Our actions and decisions should reflect heavenly priorities, not earthly indulgences.
Even though we live in a sin-stained world and must constantly fight against its corrupting influences, God hasn't left us stranded. He extends to us all the rights and privileges of our heavenly citizenship. Let that assurance encourage you today to live to His glory and to rely on His heavenly provisions. Take care not to let impure aspirations or trivial pursuits distract you from your heavenly priorities.
* * *
Suggestions for Prayer: Tell Jesus how thankful and full of praise you are because of the place He is preparing for you in Heaven (John 14:1-3). * Pray for a greater awareness of the fleeting value of this world and the surpassing value of the world to come (1 John 2:17).
For Further Study: Read Revelation 4, 5, 21. * What primary activity are the inhabitants of Heaven engaged in?. List some of Heaven's blessings.
January 6
Identifying with Christ
"God ... has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ" (Eph. 1:3, emphasis added).
* * *
Christianity isn't simply a belief system — it's a whole new identity.
Many people mistakenly believe that one's religious preference is irrelevant because all religions eventually lead to the same spiritual destination.
Such thinking is sheer folly, however, because Scripture declares that no one comes to God apart from Jesus (John 14:6). He is the only source of salvation (Acts 4:12) and the only One powerful enough to redeem us and hold us secure forever (John 10:28).
Every Christian shares a common supernatural union with Christ. Paul said, "The one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him" (1 Cor.6:17). We are in Him, and He is in us. His life flows through us by His Spirit, who indwells us (Rom. 8:9).
As a non-Christian, you were in bondage to evil (Rom. 3:10-12), enslaved to the will of Satan (1 John 5:19), under divine wrath (Rom. 1:18), spiritually dead (Eph. 2:1; 4:17-18), and without hope (Eph. 2:12). But at the moment of your salvation a dramatic change took place. You became a new creation in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17), alive in Him (Eph. 2:5), enslaved to God (Rom. 6:22), and a recipient of divine grace (Eph. 2:8). When you came to Christ, you were "delivered ... from the domain of darkness, and transferred ... to the kingdom of [God's] beloved Son" (Col. 1:13). You now possess His righteousness (2 Cor. 5:21) and share in His eternal inheritance (Rom. 8:16-17).
All those blessings — and many more — are yours because you are in Christ. What a staggering reality! In a sense, what He is, you are. What He has, you have. Where He is, you are.
When the Father sees you, He sees you in Christ and blesses you accordingly. When others see you, do they see Christ in you? "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven" (Matt. 5:16).
* * *
Suggestions for Prayer: Thank God for His marvelous grace in taking you from spiritual death to spiritual life in Christ. * Ask Him for wisdom and discernment to live this day for His good pleasure.
For Further Study: Read the book of Ephesians, noting every occurrence of the phrase "in Christ." * What has God accomplished in Christ? * What blessings are yours in Christ?
January 7
Avoiding a Spiritual Identity Crisis
God "chose us in [Christ] before the foundation of the world" (Eph. 1:4).
* * *
A true sense of identity comes from knowing that God Himself personally selected you to be His child.
Many people in our society are on a seemingly endless and often frantic quest for personal identity and self-worth. Identity crises are common at almost every age level. Superficial love and fractured relationships are but symptoms of our failure to resolve the fundamental issues of who we are, why we exist, and where we're going. Sadly, most people will live and die without ever understanding God's purpose for their lives.
That is tragic, yet understandable. God created man to bear His image and enjoy His fellowship forever. But when Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they violated that purpose and plunged the human race into sin. That created within man a spiritual void and an identity crisis of unimaginable proportions. Throughout the ages ungodly people have tried to fill that void with a myriad of substitutes, but ultimately all is lost to death and despair.
Despite that bleak picture, a true sense of identity is available to every Christian. It comes from knowing that God Himself personally selected you to be His child. Before the world began, God set His love upon you; it was according to His plan that Christ died for you (1 Peter 1:20). That's why you responded in faith to the gospel (2 Thess. 2:13). Also, that's why you can never lose your salvation. The same God who drew you to Himself will hold you there securely (John 10:29).
Don't allow sin, Satan, or circumstances to rob you of your sense of identity in Christ. Make it the focus of everything you do. Remember who you are — God's child; why you are here — to serve and glorify Him; and where you are going — Heaven, where you will spend eternity in His presence.
* * *
Suggestions for Prayer: Thank God for choosing you to be His child and for drawing you to Himself in saving faith. * Praise Him for His promise never to let you go.
For Further Study: Read John 6:35-44; 10:27-30; Romans 8:31-39.. According to Jesus, how many believers will lose their salvation? What was His reasoning? What did Paul base his certainty on?
January 8
MATCHING YOUR PRACTICE TO YOUR POSITION
"[God] chose us ... that we should be holy and blameless before Him" (Eph. 1:4).
* * *
The challenge of Christian living is to increasingly match your practice to your position.
God chose you in Christ to make you "holy and blameless" in His sight. To be "holy" is to be separated from sin and devoted to righteousness. To be "blameless" is to be pure, without spot or blemish — like Jesus, the Lamb of God (1 Peter 1:19).
Ephesians 1:4 is a positional statement. That is, Paul describes how God views us "in Him [Christ]." God sees us as "holy and blameless" because Christ our Savior is holy and blameless. His purity is credited to our spiritual bank account. That's because God made Christ "who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Cor. 5:21).
Despite our exalted position in God's sight, our practice often falls far short of His holy standard. Therefore, the challenge of Christian living is to increasingly match our practice to our position, realizing that sinless perfection won't come until we are fully glorified in Heaven (Rom. 8:23).
(Continues...)Excerpted from Drawing Near by John MacArthur. Copyright © 1993 John F. MacArthur, Jr.. Excerpted by permission of Good News Publishers.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site. 
