Today’s scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14
God is omniscient. He knows all. He is omnipresent, everywhere at once. He
always has been and will always be. And since He is without time as we know it,
He knows every decision we’ll ever make—including our decision to follow Him.
And so verses like today’s where we’re told He “has chosen you from the
beginning” make complete sense to me. Some people say this contradicts the idea
of free will, but it doesn’t really. God knows who His followers will be, so He
has chosen us for salvation from our sins and ongoing sanctification.
It’s such a joy knowing that I’ve been in God’s heart and mind always. He knows
me intimately, and He loves me deeply. I am His chosen daughter, and I am
blessed.
So very blessed.
Today's scripture: Colossians 3:12-14
I began journaling over 22 years ago, just one year after I recommitted my life
to the Lord. Whenever I begin a new journal (I just started number 40), I
reread several of the previous. It's a wonderful way to reflect on my journey
and God's faithfulness.
Many themes run consistently throughout: forgiveness, humility, love.
I've documented how I was able to forgive others because Jesus forgave me. I
often—very often—humbly thank God for His grace and mercy He continually
showers on me. I revel in the abundant and everlasting love with which He
envelops me.
I am blessed. So very blessed.
My God has given me so much more than I deserve, so how can I do anything but
show His love to others?
Paul wrote to the Christians in Colossae that they were to be compassionate,
kind, humble, gentle, and patient. These are attributes that are sometimes in
short supply, even in the church. How often do we complain about others or
question their service, thinking we could do something better than they?
We're to bear with and forgive each other. How often do we hold a grudge
instead of forgiving any complaint? When we hold on too tightly to anger or
unforgiveness, we're allowing a cancer to grow in our hearts. One of the most
freeing things we can do is forgive someone who's hurt us. I know this from
personal experience.
Finally, we are to put on love, the "perfect bond of unity." I pray
every day that the body of Christ would be unified, that we'd celebrate those
things we have in common and agree to disagree about the rituals or traditions
that aren't foundational to our faith.
If we would love each other with genuine love, we would show the world what it
really means to be like Christ, the One who loves us all so much He was willing
to die for us.
This is nothing less than those of us who are "chosen by God" should
live.
Today's scripture: Ephesians 1:3-5
We have been blessed beyond measure as children of God. No matter what we’ve
done, no matter where we’ve been, no matter how poor the choices we’ve made, we
can be pure and clean in the eyes of our Father.
Praise our God!
Now we come to a more controversial part of Paul’s letter. God “chose us before
the foundation of the world …” and “He predestined us to adoption as sons [and
daughters]” …
Some argue that this is in direct contrast to the idea of free will—that we
choose to follow Christ.
One of my favorite commentaries clears this misconception up for us. Until Paul
began preaching to the Gentiles, the Jews:
considered themselves an elect
or chosen people, and wished to monopolize the whole of the Divine love
and beneficence. The apostle here shows that God had the Gentiles as much in
the contemplation of his mercy and goodness as he had the Jews; and the
blessings of the Gospel, now so freely dispensed to them, were the proof that
God had thus chosen them, and that his end in giving them the Gospel was
the same which he had in view by giving the law to the Jews, So when Paul wrote
about predestination, he was writing about the Gentles as a people group, and
thus used that word to “point out God's fixed purpose or predetermination to
bestow on the Gentiles the blessing of the adoption of sons by
Jesus Christ.” (The Adam Clarke Commentary)
What this means is that God’s grace and mercy is available to all people. All
people. But Jesus is still waiting patiently at the door of countless hearts.
We still have to open the door (see Revelation 3:20).
Have you opened the door? Have you invited Jesus to be Lord of your life? Then
and only then will you experience the “kind intention of His will.” His loving,
gracious, merciful, righteous will.
