"For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-" (Ephesians 1:4-5).
"For he chose us..." -- for some, they teach that "us" means "all" -- everyone. But though they teach that God chose ALL and included ALL, yet, they also add that NOT all will be adopted as God's children, NOT all will be glorified.
But, God's Word is clear. It says, "...chose us IN HIM.." He chose those who are "IN HIM" -- meaning, those who believe. As we read in verse 19, "...his incomparably great power for us WHO BELIEVE..."
Paul also wrote in verse 13, as he told the Christians in Ephesus:
"And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. HAVING BELIEVED, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit..."
We are "in Him" -- in Christ -- when we heard the gospel and when we believed. Not all are chosen. Not all are "in Christ" -- not all believe the gospel.
How do we know if we are chosen?
We read in the early part of 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5, "For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, BECAUSE our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction..."
Paul knew that the Christians in Thessalonica were chosen, because they heard the gospel "not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction." Not only they believe, but they BELIEVED IN HIM -- "with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction."
We read in Romans 8:30, "And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified" -- it does not say "SOME will be glorified" -- God did not choose all to be adopted as His children. But all those who really believed in Christ would be adopted as His children and would be glorified.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Do You Know God That You Can Trust In Him?
“Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you” (Ps. 9:10).
It says, “Those who know your name will trust in you…” – those who know the Name of God will trust in Him.
There are those who read that verse and entertain the thought that not everyone who knew God would trust Him. Before they jump into that conclusion, first, they need to consider these words from the Daily Bread:
“It's one thing to know about God, but it's quite another to know Him personally.”
“It's not enough to know God with your head; you must know Him in your heart.”
“Knowing about God may interest us, but knowing God will change us.”
And, surely, those who knew the name of God were different from those who knew about God, those who knew Him with their head.
Those who knew His Name – not those who knew how to pronounce His Name -- were those who knew Him personally. They knew God with their heart. They knew and beheld His Supreme Attractiveness. They knew that God is not only Love, but also Holy, Just and Trustworthy, so they trusted in Him!
Those who are not attracted or do not trust in God are not those who exercise their human will, so they ignore or refuse to trust in Him, after they know that God is Attractive or Trustworthy. They do not really know God personally. They do not see the Supreme Beauty of God.
But, those whom God reveal Himself will really choose to trust in Him.
Have you?
It says, “Those who know your name will trust in you…” – those who know the Name of God will trust in Him.
There are those who read that verse and entertain the thought that not everyone who knew God would trust Him. Before they jump into that conclusion, first, they need to consider these words from the Daily Bread:
“It's one thing to know about God, but it's quite another to know Him personally.”
“It's not enough to know God with your head; you must know Him in your heart.”
“Knowing about God may interest us, but knowing God will change us.”
And, surely, those who knew the name of God were different from those who knew about God, those who knew Him with their head.
Those who knew His Name – not those who knew how to pronounce His Name -- were those who knew Him personally. They knew God with their heart. They knew and beheld His Supreme Attractiveness. They knew that God is not only Love, but also Holy, Just and Trustworthy, so they trusted in Him!
Those who are not attracted or do not trust in God are not those who exercise their human will, so they ignore or refuse to trust in Him, after they know that God is Attractive or Trustworthy. They do not really know God personally. They do not see the Supreme Beauty of God.
But, those whom God reveal Himself will really choose to trust in Him.
Have you?
Monday, November 12, 2007
If You KNOW GOD'S WONDERS...
We read in Job 37:14-18, “Listen to this, Job; stop and consider God's wonders. Do you know how God controls the clouds and makes his lightning flash? Do you know how the clouds hang poised, those wonders of him who is perfect in knowledge? You who swelter in your clothes when the land lies hushed under the south wind, can you join him in spreading out the skies, hard as a mirror of cast bronze?”
If by God’s grace, through His Holy Spirit He would lead you to “stop and consider God’s wonders” – to behold His Attractiveness – will you end up unrepentant, unlike Job?
If He would open your mind to know not only His creative work, but also His sacrificial work to save you – will you not acknowledge your great need for the Savior?
And if you would hear His wondrous call and ask you, “Would you discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify yourself?” (Job 40:8.) – what will be your response?
Would you choose to ignore, or resist Him, though you are aware of His Great Attractiveness?
Or, would you be attracted to His wonders and, like Job, you also humbly and willingly say: "My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes" (Job 42:5-6)?
If by God’s grace, through His Holy Spirit He would lead you to “stop and consider God’s wonders” – to behold His Attractiveness – will you end up unrepentant, unlike Job?
If He would open your mind to know not only His creative work, but also His sacrificial work to save you – will you not acknowledge your great need for the Savior?
And if you would hear His wondrous call and ask you, “Would you discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify yourself?” (Job 40:8.) – what will be your response?
Would you choose to ignore, or resist Him, though you are aware of His Great Attractiveness?
Or, would you be attracted to His wonders and, like Job, you also humbly and willingly say: "My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes" (Job 42:5-6)?
Saturday, October 27, 2007
GOD'S CALLING IS IRRESISTIBLE!
“The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice" (John 10:1-5, NIV).
Why will “some choose to resist the Holy Spirit and throw God’s gift of grace back at his feet and reject him?” Why will some ignore or reject God’s calling?
Those who know the “attractiveness” of God’s calling – those who know His voice – listen to His voice and follow Him, according to Jesus Christ. They know they are called, so that they “may receive the promised eternal inheritance” (Heb. 9:15). They know they are called, so that they may “inherit a blessing” (1 Peter 3:9). They know they are called “out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9). They know they are called “to his eternal glory in Christ” (1 Peter 5:10). They know they are called “into his kingdom and glory” (1 Thess. 2:12). They know they are called to eternal life (1 Tim. 6:12). They know they are called “to peace” (Col. 3:15; 1 Cor. 7:15). They know they are called “to one hope” (Eph. 4:4; 1:18). They know they are called “to be free” (Gal. 5:13). They know they are called “to belong to Jesus Christ” (Rom. 1:6) – “into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 1:9). They know they are called “to be holy” (1 Cor. 1:2; 1 Peter 1:15-16; 2 Tim. 1:9).
Will you reject or resist the calling of the Shepherd, if you know He is Supremely Good?
Will you refuse to follow Him, if you know that with Him you “shall not be in want”?
Will you resist His call, if you know that He will make you “lie down in green pastures,” He will lead you “beside quiet waters,” He will restore your soul, He will guide you “in paths of righteousness”?
Will you ignore Him, if you know that though you “walk through the valley of the shadow of death,” you “will fear no evil, if He is with you? Will you choose to avoid Him, if you know that His “rod and your staff” will comfort you?
If you know that the Good Shepherd could even prepare a table before you “in the presence” of your enemies, He will anoint your head with oil and your “cup overflows,” and you can be sure that goodness and love will follow you all the days of your life, and you will dwell in the house of the LORD forever – will you still “choose to resist the Holy Spirit and throw God’s gift of grace back at his feet and reject him”?
It is unbelievable and unfathomable that there are those who are teaching you may not respond positively though you know the attractiveness of His “calling”!!
But Jesus Christ said, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you (no other than the Good Shepherd), you would have asked him… “ (John 4:10.)
He also said in John 14:17 that the world cannot accept the Spirit of truth, “because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you (His followers) know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”
Why will “some choose to resist the Holy Spirit and throw God’s gift of grace back at his feet and reject him?” Why will some ignore or reject God’s calling?
Those who know the “attractiveness” of God’s calling – those who know His voice – listen to His voice and follow Him, according to Jesus Christ. They know they are called, so that they “may receive the promised eternal inheritance” (Heb. 9:15). They know they are called, so that they may “inherit a blessing” (1 Peter 3:9). They know they are called “out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9). They know they are called “to his eternal glory in Christ” (1 Peter 5:10). They know they are called “into his kingdom and glory” (1 Thess. 2:12). They know they are called to eternal life (1 Tim. 6:12). They know they are called “to peace” (Col. 3:15; 1 Cor. 7:15). They know they are called “to one hope” (Eph. 4:4; 1:18). They know they are called “to be free” (Gal. 5:13). They know they are called “to belong to Jesus Christ” (Rom. 1:6) – “into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 1:9). They know they are called “to be holy” (1 Cor. 1:2; 1 Peter 1:15-16; 2 Tim. 1:9).
Will you reject or resist the calling of the Shepherd, if you know He is Supremely Good?
Will you refuse to follow Him, if you know that with Him you “shall not be in want”?
Will you resist His call, if you know that He will make you “lie down in green pastures,” He will lead you “beside quiet waters,” He will restore your soul, He will guide you “in paths of righteousness”?
Will you ignore Him, if you know that though you “walk through the valley of the shadow of death,” you “will fear no evil, if He is with you? Will you choose to avoid Him, if you know that His “rod and your staff” will comfort you?
If you know that the Good Shepherd could even prepare a table before you “in the presence” of your enemies, He will anoint your head with oil and your “cup overflows,” and you can be sure that goodness and love will follow you all the days of your life, and you will dwell in the house of the LORD forever – will you still “choose to resist the Holy Spirit and throw God’s gift of grace back at his feet and reject him”?
It is unbelievable and unfathomable that there are those who are teaching you may not respond positively though you know the attractiveness of His “calling”!!
But Jesus Christ said, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you (no other than the Good Shepherd), you would have asked him… “ (John 4:10.)
He also said in John 14:17 that the world cannot accept the Spirit of truth, “because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you (His followers) know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”
Monday, October 22, 2007
Does EVERYONE Know The BEAUTY Of God's Voice?
Nothing is more compelling, captivating and thrilling than to know the beauty of the Goodness of God.
King David declared in Psalm 27:4, "One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple."
If we are attracted to physical beauty, what would it do to us if we are given the privilege to have a glimpse of God's Glorious Beauty?
Jesus said, "... the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice (John 10:3-4).
But does everyone know the Attractiveness of God?
While there are those who teach that everyone does, the Bible is plain that others know more the attraction in this world. They know the attraction of good paying job, good health, or good standing in the community.
In the churches, they know the attractiveness of good attendance, good income, good sermons, good theologians, etc.
Others know the attractiveness of sin.
God’s Word tells us that there are those who “do not know God” (1 Thess. 4:5; 2 Thess. 1:8). We also read in 1 John 4:8, “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
If we know and hear God’s Voice, which is just attractive as His Being, I would rather assume that we will surely follow and gravitate to the Source than to assume that we will just ignore it. Only the spiritually deaf would refuse to answer His Call. Only he who does not know His Supreme Attractiveness will resist to come to Him and prefer the lesser attractions in this world.
Should we not desire to become more acquainted with the Beauty of His Goodness (as He reveals Himself in His Word) than to learn the “attractive” and acceptable teachings of some theologians?
Besides, we read in Jeremiah 9:23-24:
“This is what the LORD says: ‘Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he UNDERSTANDS AND KNOWS ME, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth for in these I delight,’ declares the LORD.”
King David declared in Psalm 27:4, "One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple."
If we are attracted to physical beauty, what would it do to us if we are given the privilege to have a glimpse of God's Glorious Beauty?
Jesus said, "... the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice (John 10:3-4).
But does everyone know the Attractiveness of God?
While there are those who teach that everyone does, the Bible is plain that others know more the attraction in this world. They know the attraction of good paying job, good health, or good standing in the community.
In the churches, they know the attractiveness of good attendance, good income, good sermons, good theologians, etc.
Others know the attractiveness of sin.
God’s Word tells us that there are those who “do not know God” (1 Thess. 4:5; 2 Thess. 1:8). We also read in 1 John 4:8, “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
If we know and hear God’s Voice, which is just attractive as His Being, I would rather assume that we will surely follow and gravitate to the Source than to assume that we will just ignore it. Only the spiritually deaf would refuse to answer His Call. Only he who does not know His Supreme Attractiveness will resist to come to Him and prefer the lesser attractions in this world.
Should we not desire to become more acquainted with the Beauty of His Goodness (as He reveals Himself in His Word) than to learn the “attractive” and acceptable teachings of some theologians?
Besides, we read in Jeremiah 9:23-24:
“This is what the LORD says: ‘Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he UNDERSTANDS AND KNOWS ME, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth for in these I delight,’ declares the LORD.”
Saturday, October 6, 2007
WHY Do You LOVE GOD?
Jesus Christ said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30).
Why do you love God “with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength”? Do you love Him because you are just commanded to do it? Or, you love Him because you are aware of His Glorious “Beauty”?
In Genesis 29, we read that “…Laban had two daughters; the name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel was lovely in form, and beautiful. Jacob was in love with Rachel...” (verses 16-18.)
Notice that Jacob was attracted to Rachel and was in love with her because of her beauty.
If physical beauty could attract us and caused us to love it, how much more if we know the Beauty of God?
We read in Jeremiah 9:23-24, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,’ declares the LORD.”
Do we really understand and know the Attractiveness of the Lord – the Beauty of His “kindness, justice and righteousness”?
If you do, you do NOT need to be forced, be commanded, or even be told to love Him. God’s Loveliness and Beauty is much, much greater than that of Rachel! If you are spiritually conscious of the Beauty of His Goodness, you will not be repulsed by it. You cannot afford to ignore it. No one who “understands and knows” the Attractiveness of His Love and Justice will be inclined to reject Him.
It will become natural for you to be attracted and to love Him with “all your capacities and power.”
Why do you love God “with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength”? Do you love Him because you are just commanded to do it? Or, you love Him because you are aware of His Glorious “Beauty”?
In Genesis 29, we read that “…Laban had two daughters; the name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel was lovely in form, and beautiful. Jacob was in love with Rachel...” (verses 16-18.)
Notice that Jacob was attracted to Rachel and was in love with her because of her beauty.
If physical beauty could attract us and caused us to love it, how much more if we know the Beauty of God?
We read in Jeremiah 9:23-24, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,’ declares the LORD.”
Do we really understand and know the Attractiveness of the Lord – the Beauty of His “kindness, justice and righteousness”?
If you do, you do NOT need to be forced, be commanded, or even be told to love Him. God’s Loveliness and Beauty is much, much greater than that of Rachel! If you are spiritually conscious of the Beauty of His Goodness, you will not be repulsed by it. You cannot afford to ignore it. No one who “understands and knows” the Attractiveness of His Love and Justice will be inclined to reject Him.
It will become natural for you to be attracted and to love Him with “all your capacities and power.”
Those WHO BELONG To CHRIST Respond POSITIVELY To His Supreme Goodness
"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me -- just as the Father knows me and I know the Father…(John 10:14-15.)
Those who belong to Christ – His sheep -- know Him “just as the Father knows” Christ and He knows the Father.
They were able to know God not just through the beauty of His creation. They were able to know Him intimately – knowing that God Himself has an Awesome Attractiveness, that no one can match His Supreme Goodness – when God had revealed Himself to them -- to “those to whom the Son chooses” (Matt. 11:27).
God’s Word declares that there are those who do not know God (2 Thess. 1:8) -- spiritually blind to behold the Divine Goodness of the Shepherd.
But those who grasp the Goodness and Great Love of the Savior who died for them ((John 10:15; 15::13) – they will listen to His voice. They will follow Him (John 10:4). Those who know the Trustworthiness of the Shepherd will trust Him (e.g. Psalm 9:10; Matt. 9:28; John 9:35-38).
God’s Goodness will create positive response from those who belong to Him. For they know His Captivating Goodness – Love and Holiness, Mercy and Justice -- Redeemer and Avenger. They are given the wonderful experience to have a glimpse of the Splendor of God’s Glory!
Those who belong to Christ – His sheep -- know Him “just as the Father knows” Christ and He knows the Father.
They were able to know God not just through the beauty of His creation. They were able to know Him intimately – knowing that God Himself has an Awesome Attractiveness, that no one can match His Supreme Goodness – when God had revealed Himself to them -- to “those to whom the Son chooses” (Matt. 11:27).
God’s Word declares that there are those who do not know God (2 Thess. 1:8) -- spiritually blind to behold the Divine Goodness of the Shepherd.
But those who grasp the Goodness and Great Love of the Savior who died for them ((John 10:15; 15::13) – they will listen to His voice. They will follow Him (John 10:4). Those who know the Trustworthiness of the Shepherd will trust Him (e.g. Psalm 9:10; Matt. 9:28; John 9:35-38).
God’s Goodness will create positive response from those who belong to Him. For they know His Captivating Goodness – Love and Holiness, Mercy and Justice -- Redeemer and Avenger. They are given the wonderful experience to have a glimpse of the Splendor of God’s Glory!
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