Sunday, November 2, 2008

God SEPARATES...

Let’s review Genesis 1:4, “And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness” (NKJV).

Notice the last part: “… God divided the light from the darkness.”

Other translations render it, “God SEPARATED the light from the darkness” as we read also in the New International Version.

God divides or separates. He does not mix the light with darkness.

In the future, there will be also separation among the nations. Jesus Christ said:

“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world…’ Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels…’” (Matt 25:31-34, 41, NKJV.)

There are those who teach that everyone will be saved. But according to God’s Word, He would say to those on His right hand, “Come…” but to those on the left hand, “Depart…”

God attracts. For while the devil tried to “mix it up,” God separates.

We read in Matthew 13:24-25, “Another parable He put forth to them, saying: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way.’”

The devil is the "enemy" who sowed the tares among the wheat. Now, let’s continue to read:

“But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. So the servants of the owner came and said to him, 'Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?' "He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' The servants said to him, 'Do you want us then to go and gather them up?' "But he said, 'No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, "First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn" ' " (verses 26-30).

God may allow this time the “tares” and the “wheat” – the righteous and the unrighteous” – the believers and the unbelievers – to “grow together.” But the day is coming when they will be separated. As we read in Malachi 3:18:

“So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him” (NAS) – for, then, God will again separate the “light” from the “darkness.”

Monday, October 27, 2008

God Creates A NEW Heart

A friend pointed out to me how to have a "healthy heart." According to him, "heal-thy-heart" could be achieved -- "if we heal our hearts from past wounds, insults, pains and forget about getting even & don't hold grudges..."

God, however, wants that we have not only a healthy heart, but a NEW heart.

We read in Ezekiel 18:311: "Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit" (NKJV).

And He Himself made this promise:

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh" (Ezek. 36:26).

(Unfortunately, there are those who believe and teach that that promise was only for the physical Israelites.)

According to God's Word, what we need is a new heart -- I told my friend -- a heart that God can open, so we can receive all His Words (not only those that we can conveniently obey), a heart that can receive God's revelation of Himself, not only those human perception about God, a heart that can really love God for it experiences the very love of God, in spite of whatever trial or difficulty that could happen, a kind of heart that look to God as its Supreme Joy, not just the fulfillment of one's human desire, a kind of heart that lasts for eternity, cherishing God's Word (not just the philosophy or convincing arguments of men) -- a kind of heart that David prayed for:

"Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me" (Ps 51:10).

Not just for a healthy heart, but, just like David, let's long for and pray for a new and clean heart.


Saturday, August 30, 2008

God SATISFIES!

Would you hesitate to become attracted to something that satisfies you?

An illegal drug even attracted many for it could provide an amount of satisfaction.

But we read in God's Word:"Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness,And for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness" (Ps. 107:8-9, NKJV).

God SATISFIES the longing soul!!

Only God can fill and satisfy the human heart He created. If He reveals to you that "He fills the hungry soul with goodness" and only He Who satisfies, nothing else will bring you contentment!

But if we have just our own picture of God, we could even find Him boring or a burden. We could even entertain the thought that His Splendor could fail to attract our attention or to create interest in our heart! We could believe that His Supreme Goodness could just be disregarded. And His Wonders and Sovereign Grace could be rejected!

Be acquainted with Him and experience His Supreme Satisfaction!

Monday, July 21, 2008

NOT ALL Are God's Children

Anyone could just claim that they are God’s children – even non-Bible believers could “believe” they are.

But it’s a very different thing, if God Himself will call you His child. “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1, NKJV).

If God Himself will recognize us as His children, our tendency is to be attracted to Him! For we are made aware that He is our Father!

Others claim that God has the same kind of love for everyone. They even teach that everyone in the world is a child of God. But God’s Word declares He has greater love for His own children. The New International Version translates the first part, “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us…”!

We read also in 1 John 3:10, that there are “children of God and the children of the devil…” – NOT ALL are included in His Holy Family.

The Son of God told others, "If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do…” (John 8:42-44).

If we realize that He Himself has recognize us as His children and we experience His Great Loving Fatherly care, we will also embrace Him, as we see Him running toward us to welcome us!

Yes, we will choose to love Him – not because we choose Him to be our Father, but He has chosen us first to become His own children.

Friday, July 4, 2008

God A T T R A C T S ! !

Could you afford to reject God? Could you just set aside His Supreme Goodness?

Would you be interested in something other than Him?

David, who had a glimpse of His Divine Beauty, declared:

"One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,To behold the beauty of the LORD,And to meditate in His temple" (Ps. 27:4, NAS).

"To behold the BEAUTY of the LORD"!!

Beauty attracts! It does not repulse!

We do not tend to reject something beautiful! We do not close our eyes to it. We are drawn toward it! We gravitate closer and closer to it.

If something beautiful that is created just out of nothing attracts us, how much more the BEAUTY that is there from all eternity and will go on for eternity!?

God's Beauty is unsurpassed. He who beholds Him will so admire Him and will be satisfied God Himself dwells in him.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

SEE The GREAT IMPORTANCE Of BELIEVING In Christ

Because of the passage, "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive" (1 Cor. 15:22, NKJV) -- there are those who teach and believe that "all" or everyone in the world are "in Christ"!

But WHO are those "in Christ"?!

If we fail to grasp the meaning of that verse, we can easily agree that just like Adam, who did not believe God, we could also be in Christ! And so, we can fall into error that though we do not believe, we are also reconciled with Him, we are raised up with Him, we are justified, we are chosen, etc.

There are many verses in the Scriptures, however, that emphasized the need for us to believe in Christ. For example, John 3:18 -- "He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

Notice the words, "... he who does NOT believe is CONDEMNED ALREADY"!

Now, let's go back to 1 Corinthians 15 and understand verse 22 in the light of the whole chapter.

Who are those in Christ -- and that all of them would be made alive?

According to Paul in verse 11: "... so we preach and so you believed."

Those "in Christ" as those who BELIEVED! They are those who are not condemned. They are reconciled with God. They are redeemed. They are raised up -- made alive -- with Him. They are chosen ones. They belonged to God. They are the spiritual children of God. They are guaranteed by God Himself that they would have their inheritance. They are those who really love God.

May you also see the need and the worth of believing in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Saturday, June 7, 2008

WHEN The Air Was "Gone"...

When I was gasping for breath and I could not even think of anything, for oxygen could no longer reach my brain -- God was not even in my consciousness -- it was a very fearful thing! (http://www.christianster.com/ctan/html/showsharing.php?sid=57003&authid=99269&m=6&d=5&y=2008).

If you were helpless and hopeless and you could not even pray... and yet God gave you a joyful deliverance, only then you could have a better grasp of the meaning of the Grace of God.

Air began to fill again my lungs NOT because I was able to pray and ask God to save me. I was able to breathe again NOT because someone brought me to the doctor -- I was alone in the house.

I was able to breathe again NOT because I just exercised the so-called power of the human will to choose to breathe! My brain or mind was UNable to function properly, just as my physical body was wrestling with pain!

But because of God's Grace -- He allowed me to taste the sweetness of air once again and to enjoy the sweetness of His Grace!

Whether we have life in this world, or our life is extended, or even blessed with eternal life -- it's because of His Mercy.

We read in Romans 9:16, "So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy" (NAS).

The New International Version renders it, "It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy."

Sunday, June 1, 2008

God COMPLETES

Some are teaching: “GOD SAYS HE WILL COMPLETE THE WORK HE HAS BEGUN IN US. YET SCRIPTURE ALSO INDICATES THAT SOME WILL NOT COOPERATE WITH HIM.”

Indeed, there are those who will not cooperate with God. But they are not among those whom God has begun His spiritual work of redemption.

Paul wrote:

“In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:4-6).

When he stated, “… He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” – he was referring NOT to every human being, but to the believers – those who have “partnership in the gospel” – or as we read in verse 1, “To all the saints in Christ Jesus…”

It is wrong to imply that God who began to work in the life of a person – enabling him to come to Jesus, granting him repentance and faith – will not enable him to cooperate with Him until the end. The Sovereign God is not subject to the so-called “ningas-cogon” mentality – that He is good only to start something, but cool off before finishing it.

Besides, Paul wrote: “…BEING CONFIDENT of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion…” He didn’t doubt. He was sure. He was confident.

For the completion of God’s Work in the life of the believers does not rest in our own hands.

Paul also wrote, "HE WILL KEEP YOU STRONG TO THE END, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful” (1 Cor. 1:8-9).

We read further in 1 Thessalonians 5:23, “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” And verse 4 states, “The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.”

If God started to work in your life, will it be completed?

Yes, for He is faithful. So, “…continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose” (Phil. 2:12-13).

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

WHY Would God Open YOUR Heart?

Let us read Acts 16:14, “One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message” – especially the last part, “The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message.”

A Bible teacher, who exalts so much the human free will, told me through the email that though God opened the heart of Lydia and she responded to Paul’s message, it does not mean that whenever God opened the heart of others, they would also respond just like Lydia.

As if he was saying, God could open our hearts, but, because we have the freedom of choice, we could still refuse to respond to the Gospel!

The verse, however, makes me realize that though the tendency of our fallen nature is to respond negatively to God, because of His grace, He would open our hearts, so we could respond positively to Him. We could not boast that we respond to His message, because we just choose to. We respond to Him, because He has opened our hearts.

We did not choose Him. He had chosen us. We called upon Him, because He had called us. We knew Him, because He first knew us and made Himself known to us. We loved Him, because He first loved us.

And God would open our hearts in order for us to respond to Him – not to resist or reject Him.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

God SEEKS And SAVES

We read in Luke 19:10, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."

What a great comfort and encouragement to hear those words!

Jesus Christ came to seek... He Himself is the One who is doing the seeking. We do the hiding (Gen. 3:8). What a very foolish thing we do -- hiding from the only One who could give us happiness and satisfaction.

Whenever we hear His Words, "Where are you?" (Gen. 3:9) it does not mean that He does not know where we are. He knows exactly that we need His help, that apart from Him we have nowhere else to go.

He is seeking for us to help -- to save us. And when He seeks He finds. We cannot hide from Him.

Also, when He saves, He will surely save us. He will not just give us an option whether we choose to be saved, or not. Remember the story of the "Good Samaritan"? Did the Samaritan ever ask the victim whether he wanted his help? Yes, those who are lost are too helpless -- "half dead" -- to refuse.

Besides, Jesus came to seek and to save those who are aware and know they are really lost -- they do not know where to go, too helpless to save themselves.

God will not save those who believe that their good deeds, their good denomination, their good doctrines, their good choice, or whatever could save them.

Have you ever heard His Voice, "Where are you?"

Then, He was seeking to save you.




Thursday, April 3, 2008

HOW MUCH TIME God Listens?

How much time or how long do you pray? 5 minutes? 15 minutes? One half hour? An hour?

There was a point in my life that I was just concerned whether I prayed during the day, or not. Later, I was also asking the question: How long should I pray?

But, now, I believe that God -- through His Spirit -- will move His children not only what they ought to pray, but even for how much time they should pray.

Sometimes, I just prayed for a second... and the answer also came as fast as I finished!

Before I decided to leave the fellowship I was a member for several years, there were nights that I prayed without sleeping! It was really difficult to leave the fellowship of people you have learned to love, but, finally, my love for God's exaltation ought to triumph -- God answered my prayer positively that He even moved the heart of my spouse to agree with my decision.

How much time do I pray? It depends.

Actually, I just believe that I can always pray wherever I am and whatever I am doing. Sometimes, I feel that I am praying always.

I just learn to love doing it. For I believe that our Heavenly Father is always listening to us all the time!

We read in Psalm 22:24 states, "For he has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help."

Monday, March 24, 2008

Is EVERYONE Predestined To Be Conformed To The Likeness Of Christ?

The denomination that I was once a member was now teaching, “…those God ‘predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified’ (Rom. 8:30). This statement describes every human being through their inclusion in Jesus' incarnation, life, death, resurrection, ascension (glorification).”

I don’t think the leadership of the group want to distort the Scripture. But, is it right to interpret the verse that every human being is predestined, called, justified and also glorified “through their inclusion in Jesus’ incarnation, life, death, resurrection, ascension (glorification)”?

In Romans chapter 8, we find that there are those people who “are controlled by the sinful nature” and those who “are controlled by the Spirit” (verse 9).

When Paul wrote, “And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified,” did he refer to “every human being” – those who are controlled by the sinful nature and those who controlled by the Spirit – or only those who are controlled by the Spirit?

Let’s read verse 9, “You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.”

Apparently, Paul was addressing to “you” – who are controlled NOT by the sinful nature, but by the Spirit. He was speaking to the “brothers” (verse 12) – who are “led by the Spirit of God” (verse 14) -- who “received the Spirit of sonship” (verse15).

He also wrote in verse 26, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.”

When he stated, “…but the Spirit himself intercedes for US…” – he was not referring to every human being, for he clarified in the next verse, “…the Spirit intercedes FOR THE SAINTS in accordance with God's will” (verse 27).

And it is also clear in verse 28 that Paul was not referring to every human being, when he wrote: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those…”

Did he say, “…God works for the good of those ALL who are in the world”?

It didn’t.

Rather, Paul wrote: “… for the good of those WHO LOVE HIM…” And they were those “who have been called according to his purpose.”

Some are teaching that all “have been called” or will be called by God. In this verse, however, they are associated with those who love God. Those who love Him are those who are called. And NOT everyone is able to love God.

Paul was not, then, speaking to every human being in Romans 8. But to those who are controlled by the Spirit – to those who are led by the Spirit of God – to those who received the Spirit of sonship.

They are those who “are loved by God and called to be saints” (Rom. 1:7) -- enabled by the Spirit to come to Jesus, to believe in Him, and to love Him. They are “those God foreknew” and “predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son” (verse 29).

Not every human being will come, will believe, or will love Jesus Christ. For not all are predestined to be conformed to His likeness. But all “those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified” (verse 30).

No wonder, Paul also wrote in Philippians 1:6, “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Do you have also the same confidence?

Friday, February 15, 2008

WHAT Do You MEAN, "LOVE The Lord..."?

When I was still a Catholic and, then, converted to a group, which later confessed to be a “cult,” and even when there was a great change in the said group and it was accepted in the evangelical circle – I could not yet grasp so much the meaning of love.

My general understanding before of the command, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind…” (Luke 10:27) is just to serve God and even the readiness to sacrifice for Him above all things.

However, before I decided to leave the group that I became a member for more than 27 years, I was able to review the so called “love chapter,” which I read actually so many times before -- 1 Corinthians 13, especially verses 4-8:

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.”

And I noticed in verse 6 the “ingredient” of love I missed for so long.

It says, “Love does not delight in evil but REJOICES with the truth.” Yes, love is not only, patient and kind… etc. It also REJOICES!

The command “Love the Lord your God…” gives me a new and even wonderful meaning. I could now relate it with other Scriptures, like Philippians 3:1, “…REJOICE IN THE LORD!”; Philippians 4:4, “REJOICE IN THE LORD always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”; and Psalm 37:4, “DELIGHT yourself IN THE LORD…”

Now, the greatest commandment gives me a new and fascinating meaning.

It seems to sound like this:“DELIGHT and REJOICE in the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind”!

If we love God, we delight in Him. We rejoice in and with Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Who is the Truth.

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Let JESUS CHRIST BE SEEN

"No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he puts it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light” (Luke 11:33).

We usually understand the verse to refer to the good works that we need to perform.

But I love how the pastor of the present church I am attending referred the “light” to Jesus Christ.

Indeed, Jesus Christ Himself said: "I am the light of the world” (John 8:12).

And if we realize that He is the true Light, then, we will place where He is not hidden in our life. We will exalt and extol Him in our life – so obvious that others will see that He is in the center of our life, that He is the uppermost One in our heart, that He is our Savior and King!

What do we really extol in our life? What do we want to promote? Our personal belief? Our accomplishment? Our denomination? Our family, friends, or whatever?

Are we also sure that Christ is really in us?

Paul wrote the Christians at Rome:

“… And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ” (Rom. 8:9).

Though there are those who teach that everyone belong to Christ, it is clear from the Scripture that, if you do not have Christ – if you do not have His Spirit – you do NOT belong to Him!

“See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness,” Christ also said in Luke 11:35.

So important, indeed, to know that what we have is the true Light. Let’s be sure that we belong really to Him. “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you -- unless, of course, you fail the test?” (2 Cor. 13:5.)

And if He is really in us, let’s give Him the prominent place due the true Light, so that others may see Him in our life.

Saturday, February 9, 2008

God Will Give All Things To Those WHO KNOW Him

"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32).

Those who consider themselves children of God, those who know God, the believers, or who belong to the “little flock” ought not to be anxious of anything.

In fact, Jesus Christ Himself told them not to be afraid of losing anything they value in this world. It could be material wealth. But we could also value health, position, knowledge, friendship, family, or even our personal belief.

He said, “Do NOT be afraid…”

Note very well that He was addressing the “little flock.” They are those who regard God as their “Father” – the faithful ones, the elect – “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God” (1 Peter 2:9) – they really know God, not just as a “loving God” who wishes good things for everyone, but the Holy God, who punishes those who do not know Him and are disobedient (2 Thess. !:8). They really know God, because they truly love Him (1 John 4:7-8).

So, if we are among them, we should not suffer anxiety, because God Himself is our Father. He is able to provide all our needs. We should not even be afraid to part way with those things we value. Why ? Because He is happy to give us all things He owns – His Kingdom!!

Like an ordinary child, who values what his physical father has and later be given to him, we need also to realize the Supreme Value of what’s in store for us.

What a great privilege to really know God and be chosen as His adopted child!

What an expressible joy to have Him, as our Holy Heavenly Father – the Source of our sufficiency and our real Treasure!

We do not have to fear that what we truly value will be lost from us.

Saturday, January 26, 2008

BEAUTY Of God's Sovereignty

How do we regard the Sovereignty of God?

Though we say that God is Sovereign, most of us try to elevate the so-called human free will over the Will of the Living God, the Maker of heaven and earth!

God’s Word tells us:

“Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is THE LORD'S PURPOSE THAT PREVAILS” (Proverbs 19:21).

“I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I WILL DO ALL THAT I PLEASE” (Isaiah 46:10).

How much do we believe on those remarks of God’s Word? Do we perceive any limitation in the accomplishment of God’s purpose from those verses?

Should we say that “the Lord’s purpose… prevails” as long as it does not go against the so-called free will of man?

Consider what the man in the Bible who has the “right” to be proud acknowledged later on:

“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. AND THOSE WHO WALK IN PRIDE HE IS ABLE TO HUMBLE” (Daniel 4:37).

We are also familiar with Jonah. When he was commanded by the Sovereign God to “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it…” (Jonah 1:2) – not only he disobeyed…

“But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD” (Jonah 1:3).

Did the stubborn will of Jonah prevail, or God’s Sovereign Will?

We read:“Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time: ‘Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.’ Jonah OBEYED THE WORD OF THE LORD and went to Nineveh…” (Jonah 3:1-3.)

God is Supreme.

But did Nebuchadnezzar or Jonah become like robots, because they ultimately subjected themselves to God? They didn’t.

God made them willing to do what He wanted. He enabled those who walk in pride to have humility. He enabled those who run away from Him to obey Him.

God's Beauty is also seen in His Sovereignty. He is able to accomplish His purpose even in our life, without the necessity of turning us into automatons, or forcing His Will upon us. He is able to make us willing!

Sunday, January 13, 2008

WHEN The Sovereign God REDEEMS...

"But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself" (Psalms 49:15, NIV).

I love the translation of New International Version of Psalm 49:15, “…he will surely take me to himself.”

A Bible teacher told me that there are those who are redeemed by the blood of God’s Son, yet, will NOT be saved!

What a great contrast with the positive assurance of the Living Word of the Sovereign God: If He will redeem you – even from the spiritual grave of sin – He will SURELY take you to Himself!

This reminds me of another verse: “You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory” (Ps. 73:24).

The Sovereign God who caused Nebuchadnezzar to acknowledge willingly: “…praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble” (Dan. 4:37) – is the same God who will guide you and afterward will take you into glory.

The same Lord who “moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm” to build the temple of God in Jerusalem (Ezra 1:1-2) and the God “who put into the heart of Titus the same concern” that Paul had for the Corinthians (2 Cor. 8:16) can also move your heart to believe and say:

“'In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins' (Eph. 1:7) and He will surely take me to Himself!”