These words of Balaam
are noble, but not true and what a dismal end they come to as we
read on in Numbers. It has been rightly said that Hell
will house many a soul who had good intentions. Did not
the eldest child (Cain) of the first couple hold good intentions
with his fruit of the ground offering? JESUS was very
clear, in HIS Sermon on the Mount, (cf.
Matthew 7:18-27) that "many"
would arrive at the White Throne with every good intention of
entering Heaven, while bearing their baggage of bad works.
In another telling parable out of Matthew 21 we find this:
"But what think ye? A certain man had
two sons; and he came to the first, and said, son, go work to
day in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but
afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the
second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir:
and went not. Whether of them twain did the will of his
father? They say unto him, the first. JESUS saith unto them,
Verily I say unto you, that the publicans and the harlots go
into the kingdom of GOD before you. For John came unto you
in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the
publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen
it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him."
There has never been a law written of GOD or man capable of
restraining the rebel heart.
"Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto CHRIST,
that we might be justified by faith." The law of GOD itself is not
intended as a code of ethics, but a moral tutor to reveal the
fatal rebellion in us, a compass to bring us to repentance and
faith in CHRIST.
Intent minus indwelt
ends in failure! But in CHRIST, intent is purified and
empowered by being indwelt.
"... the love of GOD is shed abroad in our hearts by the HOLY
GHOST which is given unto us." The HOLY SPIRIT of GOD can now
accomplish in us what previously had eluded us ... i.e., the
necessary love to obey the LORD.
"If ye love ME, keep MY commandments." The love of
GOD can do what the law of GOD cannot!
Are you intent apart
from being indwelt?
"... love is the fulfilling of the law."