God’s Sovereign Choosing

Christians, It’s all about the glory of Christ, not ours.

The call of God unto salvation is not something one can resist, nor is it something we played a part in. If we are born of the flesh, it is by another’s will. If we are born again, of the Spirit, it is by the Father’s will. If saving faith resides in us, it wasn’t because of our response but because it was put there by God by His will to save us through His Son’s finished work at Calvery.

All of Scripture is consistent on the sovereign choosing of God because it’s important to understand that God’s will is authoritative over man’s will. Creator over creature. He choose Israel and not Egypt, Peter and not Judas. This brings great comfort to the sinner saved by grace because he can trust on the goodness of God to finish what He started; it isn’t determined on a sinners performance but upon His mighty working power that cannot fail. Though we fail Him He remains faithful and just to forgive us our sins.

Scripture does not teach that a sinner who is saved by grace, is no longer a sinner; but rather an exile who must hold onto hope. Hope in Christ is built up in the rightly handling of Gods word concerning salvation and sanctification. Hope is crushed when The Word is twisted and turns salvation and sanctification back upon the responsibility and performance of the sinner. It is a mentality of works that reveals itself as a false Gospel and it clouds hope.

If there is no delight in obedience then perhaps the Christian simply isn’t mature or has been robbed of his or her joy. I can testify that such a position exists in Christ. I liken it to infancy, we have been given faith in Christ and come alive. All things are new and beautiful, truth is easy to see and our Joy is complete in Christ. We are able to survive on the surface level teaching of the Word but in our young state, we are easily swayed by many different winds of teachings. Much like a child who’s is most tender in their younger years to impressions of others on their lives so too are we when we are first born again. There comes a time when one must grow up in the faith and grab ahold of the meatier truths revealed in Scripture. God have mercy on those in the pulpit, or any of those claiming Christian influence in our land, who are not rightly handling God’s Word!!! They all will one day be held responsible for their actions and especially the pastor and his shepherding of His sheep.

A sinner who delights in God’s righteousness will enjoy him while serving Him. The mundane becomes glorious in Christ; even purpose in suffering is found.

There is no law of plenty, no law of blessing, no guarantee of prosperity as this world would define those things. Teaching there are these without the context of taking up ones cross brings spiritual bondage upon the ones listening because they are beckoned by blessing, not by command; they have been appealed to for the purpose of their own glory rather than the glory of Christ.

It is all about Christ’s glory. If you find yourself under teaching that constantly exults you, confront them in love. If they turn, praise God; if they dig in, be patient in prayer for them and trust God to know when leave. Such teaching is not good for producing the fruit of the Spirit and can only be endured so long.

” just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight (Ephesians 1:4-8 NASB)