“For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.” -
1 Corinthians 14:33.
A lie is a lie no matter where it is told. And it becomes an especially heinous lie when it is told in a church and given approval by the minister. Enter those whose lie entertains the idea of being ‘lost’ or ‘slain’ in the Spirit. Let’s be brief on the scriptural validity of such a notion: there is none! The stumbling and falling, the nonsensical gibberish, the rolling of the eyeballs back in their sockets - none of the symptoms of being “slain in the Spirit” have the support of holy Scripture . . . none of them! Nor do they bear the signature of the Holy Spirit! This is just another reason why the proper interpretation of scripture is of the utmost importance.
Paul expressly tells us - “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,” - Ephesians 5:18. The Apostle is contrasting the stumbling confusion associated with over-indulging in alcoholic spirits with the actual effects of being “filled by the Holy Spirit.” They are not the same nor are the effects the same therefore there will be no muddled ramblings or inability to ‘keep one’s feet’ when filled by the Spirit. In fact, just the opposite is true - “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” - Galatians 5:22-23. Self-control is what Paul says the Holy Spirit will enrich us with, not falling down or babbling incoherently. The Holy Spirit leads us, guides us, directs us, and works to perfect us. He does not confuse or entangle us with mystical delusions.
Why, some might ask, is the potential for damage to the believer so great for merely desiring an ecstatic ‘spiritual’ experience? After all, if it makes them feel closer to God what harm can there be? The harm is phenomenal! Peter tells us - “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; “ - 1 Peter 1:13. Here he was speaking directly to the people regarding the revelation of their salvation through Jesus Christ., telling them to prepare themselves, to remain sober, and to be assured of that salvation. Herein lies the profound danger of, and perhaps the greatest reason so many Christians seek a “spiritual experience” - it is because they do not have the assurance of their salvation. They feel they need more. They feel they need more than scriptural support for assurance and that is why they go outside the bible. There is only one thing outside of the word of God: Satan. And Peter goes on to warn us of the Liar’s formidable weaponry, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” - 1 Peter 5:8. The devil is always prepared to move into spiritual vacuums left by our lack of assurance or faith. As 1st Corinthians tells us, “God is not the author of confusion . . . but of peace.” And that peace comes by way of our assurance that we have indeed been saved by the precious blood of Jesus Christ.
May we always rest in the assurance and the peace provided by the Holy Spirit.
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Saturday, January 18, 2014
For the Love of God - Ephesians 2:4-6
“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,” - Ephesians 2:4-6
Anyone of my generation can probably recall those high-school American Literature classes and reading the works of Hawthorne, Melville, and Twain among others. But I recall a story written by Edgar Allen Poe which made quite an impression on me at the time - “The Cask of the Amontillado.” It was a terrifying story of the darkness of man’s soul as seen in revenge.
The victim, one roguish Fortunato, realizes he is being entombed in a wall and cries out to his captor - “For the love of God, Montressor!” His crypt-builder ignores his plea and continues to “wall” him in replying, “Yes,”(I said,) “for the love of God.”
Of all the invocations one could possibly make toward someone who wished them harm why would they appeal to “the love of God?” The answer, even to Poe, who was not known for his religious nature was easy: there is simply nothing in heaven or on earth that can compare to God’s great love for us. If anything could ever save us it would be the love of God!
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” - John 3:16.
As Paul tells us, God’s love for us is immeasurable and unconditional. It had to be for Him to send His own Son to die in our places. - “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” - Romans 5:8. That is the compelling nature of God’s love. That is the immensity of God’s love. That is the strength of God’s boundless and timeless love for us. That is why Poe used this plea of Fortunato to Montressor - because God’s love is simply so powerful! That being said, however, is not the end of the story. For if it were we would be preaching the Gospel of Universalism; all men would eventually find their way into heaven on the skirts of a Godly love which compromises the innate justice of God. There is no such love!
We are compelled to love God - “We love Him because He first loved us.” - 1 John 4:19. God’s love made it possible for us to return His love. But return it we must! It is a commandment of God that we love Him in return - “Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’” - Matthew 22:37. And how is it that we can know we return God’s love? “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” - John 14:21. Of course we can always choose to spurn God’s love for us. And should we reject the love of God we place ourselves into the winnowing pit of God’s justifiable wrath! From there we shall face the fire of His righteous anger. This is the reality of God’s love and justice - one cannot be subject to the other. Both God’s justice and love are attributes of equal proportion. One’s greatness does not exceed the other’s.
May we always be grateful . . . for the love of God.
Anyone of my generation can probably recall those high-school American Literature classes and reading the works of Hawthorne, Melville, and Twain among others. But I recall a story written by Edgar Allen Poe which made quite an impression on me at the time - “The Cask of the Amontillado.” It was a terrifying story of the darkness of man’s soul as seen in revenge.
The victim, one roguish Fortunato, realizes he is being entombed in a wall and cries out to his captor - “For the love of God, Montressor!” His crypt-builder ignores his plea and continues to “wall” him in replying, “Yes,”(I said,) “for the love of God.”
Of all the invocations one could possibly make toward someone who wished them harm why would they appeal to “the love of God?” The answer, even to Poe, who was not known for his religious nature was easy: there is simply nothing in heaven or on earth that can compare to God’s great love for us. If anything could ever save us it would be the love of God!
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” - John 3:16.
As Paul tells us, God’s love for us is immeasurable and unconditional. It had to be for Him to send His own Son to die in our places. - “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” - Romans 5:8. That is the compelling nature of God’s love. That is the immensity of God’s love. That is the strength of God’s boundless and timeless love for us. That is why Poe used this plea of Fortunato to Montressor - because God’s love is simply so powerful! That being said, however, is not the end of the story. For if it were we would be preaching the Gospel of Universalism; all men would eventually find their way into heaven on the skirts of a Godly love which compromises the innate justice of God. There is no such love!
We are compelled to love God - “We love Him because He first loved us.” - 1 John 4:19. God’s love made it possible for us to return His love. But return it we must! It is a commandment of God that we love Him in return - “Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’” - Matthew 22:37. And how is it that we can know we return God’s love? “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” - John 14:21. Of course we can always choose to spurn God’s love for us. And should we reject the love of God we place ourselves into the winnowing pit of God’s justifiable wrath! From there we shall face the fire of His righteous anger. This is the reality of God’s love and justice - one cannot be subject to the other. Both God’s justice and love are attributes of equal proportion. One’s greatness does not exceed the other’s.
May we always be grateful . . . for the love of God.
Saturday, January 11, 2014
Pssst . . . Remember When You . . . .” - Romans 8:1
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” - Romans 8:1.
There may be times when we sense the presence of an ominous dark cloud gathering on the edges of our consciences. Please don’t misconstrue my words. It is not that we doubt our assurance of salvation in the Lord, Jesus Christ; it’s just that old feelings of guilt sometime arise when carnal memories peek in from the past. There are two primary reasons this occurs and both of them come about with sulfurous breath: 1) to encourage us to fondly ‘revisit’ old sins or (2) to convince us of our condemnation for these past iniquities. In either case it is of the devil’s doing.
Charles Spurgeon once said, “The devil says there is condemnation and, therefore, he accuses us day and night. He was a liar from the beginning and the father of lies! Conscience sometimes censures us, even conscience, itself, needs to be enlightened and to be purged from dead works.” - Charles Spurgeon: Sermon # 1917. Accusations amount to nothing for those of us who are “in Christ.” We must but remember Paul’s words of strength in times of Satan’s accusations - “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” - Galatians 5:16.
Because Satan’s attack is often twofold we must deal with it in a twofold manner. In the first place we must never recall our previous sins allowing for a wistful or prurient memory to take the rightful place of the Holy Spirit in our hearts . . . never! Secondly, we must never allow the devil to weaken our assurance of salvation that we have in Christ. Our walk in the Spirit demands we not give deference to any sin, present or past. “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.” - Romans 6:12. Nor should we ever fear the accusations of the Liar! “Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” - Romans 8:33-35.
It will be Satan who sidles up to us in our moments of weakness with a leer on his wicked face and the question - “Remember when you . . . .?” There is no greater advice for the justified than to heed the words of James. “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” - James 4:7.
We need never fear for our salvation in spite of Satan’s accusations. He is a liar! And just as he lied to Eve in the Garden of Eden he lies to us. If we walk with the Spirit we need never fear anything he has to say. The next time the devil sneaks up and asks , “Hey, remember when you . . .” Stop him in mid sentence and turn to the Holy Spirit for strength and protection from the accusations of the liar. May God keep us and strengthen our desire for holiness.
There may be times when we sense the presence of an ominous dark cloud gathering on the edges of our consciences. Please don’t misconstrue my words. It is not that we doubt our assurance of salvation in the Lord, Jesus Christ; it’s just that old feelings of guilt sometime arise when carnal memories peek in from the past. There are two primary reasons this occurs and both of them come about with sulfurous breath: 1) to encourage us to fondly ‘revisit’ old sins or (2) to convince us of our condemnation for these past iniquities. In either case it is of the devil’s doing.
Charles Spurgeon once said, “The devil says there is condemnation and, therefore, he accuses us day and night. He was a liar from the beginning and the father of lies! Conscience sometimes censures us, even conscience, itself, needs to be enlightened and to be purged from dead works.” - Charles Spurgeon: Sermon # 1917. Accusations amount to nothing for those of us who are “in Christ.” We must but remember Paul’s words of strength in times of Satan’s accusations - “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” - Galatians 5:16.
Because Satan’s attack is often twofold we must deal with it in a twofold manner. In the first place we must never recall our previous sins allowing for a wistful or prurient memory to take the rightful place of the Holy Spirit in our hearts . . . never! Secondly, we must never allow the devil to weaken our assurance of salvation that we have in Christ. Our walk in the Spirit demands we not give deference to any sin, present or past. “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.” - Romans 6:12. Nor should we ever fear the accusations of the Liar! “Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” - Romans 8:33-35.
It will be Satan who sidles up to us in our moments of weakness with a leer on his wicked face and the question - “Remember when you . . . .?” There is no greater advice for the justified than to heed the words of James. “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” - James 4:7.
We need never fear for our salvation in spite of Satan’s accusations. He is a liar! And just as he lied to Eve in the Garden of Eden he lies to us. If we walk with the Spirit we need never fear anything he has to say. The next time the devil sneaks up and asks , “Hey, remember when you . . .” Stop him in mid sentence and turn to the Holy Spirit for strength and protection from the accusations of the liar. May God keep us and strengthen our desire for holiness.
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Redefining the Definitions - Jeremiah 1:5
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” - Jeremiah 1:5
I know that I only recently touched on this modern debate but I felt compelled to revisit is once more. Let’s take this slowly -
I have never heard any supporter of the heinous practice of abortion claim it is their “right” to kill another human being regardless of that human being’s current state of growth. I t goes without saying that their entire argument for such an imaginary “right” would instantly fall apart and be dismissed as totally illogical and an example of sheer lunacy. So how have they managed to convince so many others that they indeed have this imaginary “right?”
The answer really is all this simple: they have erroneously redefined when life begins. It is the whole-cloth manipulation of the language that the progressive left uses on a constant tactical basis. In fact, they use it so well that many people who generally describe themselves as ‘conservatives’ have even bought into it.
“The Canadian Medical Association, the largest association of doctors in Canada, has redefined human life. On August 15, (2012) as reported by LifeNews, delegates to the CMA's general council voted to pass “a resolution supporting the current wording of the Criminal Code which states that a child ‘becomes a human being within the meaning of this Act when it has completely proceeded, in a living state, from the body of its mother.’ ” - The New American. So, according to this esteemed body of physicians, a living child is not a human being until the second it ‘proceeds’ in a living state, from it’s mother’s womb. Well please then, good doctors - what was the state it was in one second before it proceeded from its mother? How about an hour? A day? A week, a month?
In a completely amoral definition of abortion one could say that it is the killing of an in vivo human being. Those who favor a woman’s ‘right’ to kill an unborn child like to redefine the action as ‘terminate’ since it sounds so much more clinical. God Almighty calls it ‘murder,’ period! You see God doesn’t command us not to kill, as we may be forced to in a wartime situation or to defend our selves or the lives of our loved ones. What God forbids is all ‘unjustifiable killing.’ “You shall not murder.” - Exodus 20:13. The Hebrew word used to describe the type of killing God referred to is “râtasch” - to murder; to slay; or to dash to pieces. Quite an appropriate definition considering the resultant damage to an abortion victim! This is not a justifiable killing by any definition used!
God tells us He knew us before we were formed in the womb. He forbids us to murder. And . . . He promises that those who do will reap their just rewards. “But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who ‘will render to each one according to his deeds.’” - Romans 2:5-6.
We must always remember that God is the author of all life. Life is not the result of a conscientiously well-planned family nor is it the result of a moment’s unbridled lust nor even the result of a wicked crime. “You clothed me with skin and flesh, and knit me together with bones and sinews. You have granted me life and steadfast love, and your care has preserved my spirit.” - Job 10: 11-12. May the God who gives all of us life - sustain the life of those yet unborn.
I know that I only recently touched on this modern debate but I felt compelled to revisit is once more. Let’s take this slowly -
I have never heard any supporter of the heinous practice of abortion claim it is their “right” to kill another human being regardless of that human being’s current state of growth. I t goes without saying that their entire argument for such an imaginary “right” would instantly fall apart and be dismissed as totally illogical and an example of sheer lunacy. So how have they managed to convince so many others that they indeed have this imaginary “right?”
The answer really is all this simple: they have erroneously redefined when life begins. It is the whole-cloth manipulation of the language that the progressive left uses on a constant tactical basis. In fact, they use it so well that many people who generally describe themselves as ‘conservatives’ have even bought into it.
“The Canadian Medical Association, the largest association of doctors in Canada, has redefined human life. On August 15, (2012) as reported by LifeNews, delegates to the CMA's general council voted to pass “a resolution supporting the current wording of the Criminal Code which states that a child ‘becomes a human being within the meaning of this Act when it has completely proceeded, in a living state, from the body of its mother.’ ” - The New American. So, according to this esteemed body of physicians, a living child is not a human being until the second it ‘proceeds’ in a living state, from it’s mother’s womb. Well please then, good doctors - what was the state it was in one second before it proceeded from its mother? How about an hour? A day? A week, a month?
In a completely amoral definition of abortion one could say that it is the killing of an in vivo human being. Those who favor a woman’s ‘right’ to kill an unborn child like to redefine the action as ‘terminate’ since it sounds so much more clinical. God Almighty calls it ‘murder,’ period! You see God doesn’t command us not to kill, as we may be forced to in a wartime situation or to defend our selves or the lives of our loved ones. What God forbids is all ‘unjustifiable killing.’ “You shall not murder.” - Exodus 20:13. The Hebrew word used to describe the type of killing God referred to is “râtasch” - to murder; to slay; or to dash to pieces. Quite an appropriate definition considering the resultant damage to an abortion victim! This is not a justifiable killing by any definition used!
God tells us He knew us before we were formed in the womb. He forbids us to murder. And . . . He promises that those who do will reap their just rewards. “But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who ‘will render to each one according to his deeds.’” - Romans 2:5-6.
We must always remember that God is the author of all life. Life is not the result of a conscientiously well-planned family nor is it the result of a moment’s unbridled lust nor even the result of a wicked crime. “You clothed me with skin and flesh, and knit me together with bones and sinews. You have granted me life and steadfast love, and your care has preserved my spirit.” - Job 10: 11-12. May the God who gives all of us life - sustain the life of those yet unborn.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
A New Year, A New Life - Psalm 22:9-10
“But You are He who took me out of the womb; You made me trust while on my mother’s breasts. I was cast upon You from birth. From my mother’s womb You have been my God.”
- Psalm 22:9-10
Today we celebrate a New Year. As with all “new years” we like to take stock of what has transpired in the previous year and often design what we will do with our lives in the coming year. We make resolutions that we may or may not keep (. . . guilty!). And we take the opportunity to review what we have accomplished or at least attempted to accomplish in the past year. For many it is a time of rebirth.
It is always a good time to recall our commitment to our living God. The God responsible for our existence.
As the Psalmist states, “You are he who took me out of the womb.” Reflecting on that simple statement we realize it is not as simple as it seems. Conception and birth are not guaranteed to anyone, especially in our Godless time. Many do not understand that God is the deliverer of life! A child is conceived and in due time, and assuming there are no complications, the child is born . . . by the very grace of God! “Listen to Me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been upheld by Me from birth, who have been carried from the womb: even to your old age, I am He, and even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.” - Isaiah 43:3 - 4. God has promised to uphold, carry, bear, and deliver us . . . even to our old age!
There are many in this hellish age who believe that conception and birth are “rights” reserved to the woman who would bear a child. To do the unthinkable; to do the unconscionable; to end a God-ordained pregnancy as a matter of “choice” is the evidence of a blackened heart. Let us all resolve this new year to do all we can to honor and preserve that which God has willed! It is God who enabled the conception of one of His own children and it is only God who has the right to terminate that pregnancy. It is our place to continually praise and thank Him for his providence in our lives. “By You I have been upheld from birth; You are He who took me out of my mother’s womb. My praise shall be continually of You.” - Psalm 71:6.
Never having enough to say about the sanctity of the lives of the unborn I will return to this highly controversial subject in my next post. Until then, may God’s holy intentions be our own. Happy New Year to all my Christian brothers and sisters!
- Psalm 22:9-10
Today we celebrate a New Year. As with all “new years” we like to take stock of what has transpired in the previous year and often design what we will do with our lives in the coming year. We make resolutions that we may or may not keep (. . . guilty!). And we take the opportunity to review what we have accomplished or at least attempted to accomplish in the past year. For many it is a time of rebirth.
It is always a good time to recall our commitment to our living God. The God responsible for our existence.
As the Psalmist states, “You are he who took me out of the womb.” Reflecting on that simple statement we realize it is not as simple as it seems. Conception and birth are not guaranteed to anyone, especially in our Godless time. Many do not understand that God is the deliverer of life! A child is conceived and in due time, and assuming there are no complications, the child is born . . . by the very grace of God! “Listen to Me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been upheld by Me from birth, who have been carried from the womb: even to your old age, I am He, and even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.” - Isaiah 43:3 - 4. God has promised to uphold, carry, bear, and deliver us . . . even to our old age!
There are many in this hellish age who believe that conception and birth are “rights” reserved to the woman who would bear a child. To do the unthinkable; to do the unconscionable; to end a God-ordained pregnancy as a matter of “choice” is the evidence of a blackened heart. Let us all resolve this new year to do all we can to honor and preserve that which God has willed! It is God who enabled the conception of one of His own children and it is only God who has the right to terminate that pregnancy. It is our place to continually praise and thank Him for his providence in our lives. “By You I have been upheld from birth; You are He who took me out of my mother’s womb. My praise shall be continually of You.” - Psalm 71:6.
Never having enough to say about the sanctity of the lives of the unborn I will return to this highly controversial subject in my next post. Until then, may God’s holy intentions be our own. Happy New Year to all my Christian brothers and sisters!
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Follow Me - Matthew 9:9
“As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, 'Follow Me.' So he arose and followed Him.'” - Matthew 9:9
The Greek word for “follow” is ‘akoloutheo” - to accompany. Christ beckoned Matthew to accompany Him and Matthew immediately did so. There was no hesitation, no pause, no doubt. Jesus beckoned Matthew and in a like manner did so with all the Apostles. He chose these ordinary men. “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” - John 15:16 The message is apparent: no one can come to Christ unless he is first called!
There are a great many who believe that “making a decision for Christ” is the way to salvation. But how can this be? If holy scripture is inerrant then how can one reconcile how we can possibly “make a decision for Christ,” if it is God who must first choose us? “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,” - Ephesians 1:3-5.
Scripture tells us that no man will ever of his own ‘free will,’ choose God. “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” - Romans 7:8. Those in the flesh can neither please God nor ‘choose’ God! So God in His infinite mercy chooses those whom He wills to be saved for no other reason than His own good pleasure. Once God’s grace has been bestowed upon us we are then willing and able to accept Jesus Christ. Once filled by the Holy Spirit we are now capable of making that greatest of choices. “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,” - Titus 3:5.
And just as Matthew and the Apostles willingly responded to the call of Christ we do the same. Not unless and until we are regenerated by the Holy Spirit can we or will we ever choose God. In all things give thanks to our Lord Jesus , the Christ - the God Who Saves!
The Greek word for “follow” is ‘akoloutheo” - to accompany. Christ beckoned Matthew to accompany Him and Matthew immediately did so. There was no hesitation, no pause, no doubt. Jesus beckoned Matthew and in a like manner did so with all the Apostles. He chose these ordinary men. “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” - John 15:16 The message is apparent: no one can come to Christ unless he is first called!
There are a great many who believe that “making a decision for Christ” is the way to salvation. But how can this be? If holy scripture is inerrant then how can one reconcile how we can possibly “make a decision for Christ,” if it is God who must first choose us? “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,” - Ephesians 1:3-5.
Scripture tells us that no man will ever of his own ‘free will,’ choose God. “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” - Romans 7:8. Those in the flesh can neither please God nor ‘choose’ God! So God in His infinite mercy chooses those whom He wills to be saved for no other reason than His own good pleasure. Once God’s grace has been bestowed upon us we are then willing and able to accept Jesus Christ. Once filled by the Holy Spirit we are now capable of making that greatest of choices. “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,” - Titus 3:5.
And just as Matthew and the Apostles willingly responded to the call of Christ we do the same. Not unless and until we are regenerated by the Holy Spirit can we or will we ever choose God. In all things give thanks to our Lord Jesus , the Christ - the God Who Saves!
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
A Savior Is Born - Luke 1: 46-50
And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.”- Luke 1: 46-50
Mary, the mother of our Lord, Jesus, had traveled to spend some time with her cousin Elizabeth, prior to the birth of her cousin’s child, John. Elizabeth greeted Mary, calling her “blessed’ and questioned why the mother of the Lord would come to her. God had so filled both of these women that there was the unquestioned presence of the Holy Spirit within each of them. Elizabeth knew the child she was carrying was to be a Spirit-filled man yet she also knew the child within her sister was the promised Messiah, “the Lord.”
Mary responded to her cousin with “The Magnificat,” her song of praise.
In many ways we should all echo Mary’s praise. We rejoice in God our Savior. He is mighty who has done great things for us. His mercy is on those who fear Him.
As a Christmas message we can all take confidence in a Savior who is for us and done great things for us. “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” - Romans 8:31. We know we have God’s mercy because we fear Him, and rightfully so because our God is an awesome God! “And I said: ‘I pray, Lord God of heaven, O great and awesome God, You who keep Your covenant and mercy with those who love You and observe Your commandments,’” - Nehemiah 1:5.
Mary glorifies God as she realizes she has been chosen to give birth to her Savior, to our Savior! There is spiritual power in her song to God. She is expressing her joy, her faith, and her thanks to Him with humility and reverence! And the most amazing thing is that as she did so “the Savior” was but a growing infant in her blessed womb. Not yet a swaddled infant, the Savior of the world, our King, our Lord, Jesus “the Christ” was yet to be born. Is there any wonder that Elizabeth’s child “leaped in her womb” upon their meeting? The utter power and strength of the Spirit of God was at work in Mary’s life and the life of her child even before His birth! This is the power of the Living God - that even before our prayers and supplications He is at work within our souls. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.” - Ephesians 1:3-6. What is not to praise?
Within Mary grew the child who would walk on water, heal the sick, raise the dead, and become the Savior of God’s people! Could God have done it differently? God can do anything but He chose to send His Son to be like us - to save us. “Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.” - Hebrews 2:17.
While Mary carried the unborn Savior from Immaculate Conception to birth, the Spirit of God was breathing holiness within her. That absolute perfect holiness took the form of the Son of Man, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! God bless us all and may we all have a Merry Christmas!
Mary, the mother of our Lord, Jesus, had traveled to spend some time with her cousin Elizabeth, prior to the birth of her cousin’s child, John. Elizabeth greeted Mary, calling her “blessed’ and questioned why the mother of the Lord would come to her. God had so filled both of these women that there was the unquestioned presence of the Holy Spirit within each of them. Elizabeth knew the child she was carrying was to be a Spirit-filled man yet she also knew the child within her sister was the promised Messiah, “the Lord.”
Mary responded to her cousin with “The Magnificat,” her song of praise.
In many ways we should all echo Mary’s praise. We rejoice in God our Savior. He is mighty who has done great things for us. His mercy is on those who fear Him.
As a Christmas message we can all take confidence in a Savior who is for us and done great things for us. “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” - Romans 8:31. We know we have God’s mercy because we fear Him, and rightfully so because our God is an awesome God! “And I said: ‘I pray, Lord God of heaven, O great and awesome God, You who keep Your covenant and mercy with those who love You and observe Your commandments,’” - Nehemiah 1:5.
Mary glorifies God as she realizes she has been chosen to give birth to her Savior, to our Savior! There is spiritual power in her song to God. She is expressing her joy, her faith, and her thanks to Him with humility and reverence! And the most amazing thing is that as she did so “the Savior” was but a growing infant in her blessed womb. Not yet a swaddled infant, the Savior of the world, our King, our Lord, Jesus “the Christ” was yet to be born. Is there any wonder that Elizabeth’s child “leaped in her womb” upon their meeting? The utter power and strength of the Spirit of God was at work in Mary’s life and the life of her child even before His birth! This is the power of the Living God - that even before our prayers and supplications He is at work within our souls. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.” - Ephesians 1:3-6. What is not to praise?
Within Mary grew the child who would walk on water, heal the sick, raise the dead, and become the Savior of God’s people! Could God have done it differently? God can do anything but He chose to send His Son to be like us - to save us. “Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.” - Hebrews 2:17.
While Mary carried the unborn Savior from Immaculate Conception to birth, the Spirit of God was breathing holiness within her. That absolute perfect holiness took the form of the Son of Man, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! God bless us all and may we all have a Merry Christmas!
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