stevelampman.com
Transforming Power; the Work of God on Behalf of Man
Weekly Devotional 11-2-12 Sealed by Gods Everlasting Grace
This morning in conversation, a friend used the words, Fall from God’s Grace in his attempt to relate how some return to worldly attitudes and practices, and lifestyle. As our conversation progressed, it became clear that he wasn’t implying that one could lose his or her salvation, but that one could remove himself (or herself) from a Godly walk and once again live as he (or she) did before redemption was granted. His words “Fall from God’s Grace”, however, did cause me to think of Gods everlasting grace toward those who are called and redeemed. My thoughts went to Paul’s letter to the Romans, where we read:
“28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 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. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?…………37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
I purposely omitted verse 36 of the passage for insertion here “As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” It was purposely omitted to emphasis the fact that even though many were allowed to suffer tremendous persecution, death for some, yet God’s grace endured.
Paul looked from those Old Testament prophets to his readers and wrote that nothing could separate the Lord’s called ones from Himself. Grace after all, is God’s unmerited favor bestowed upon those who have been called to salvation.
The apostle John recorded the following: 22And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. 23And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch. 24Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. 25Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me. 26But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and my Father are one (John 10:22-30).
Please note that Jesus said that He gives His sheep eternal life and that they would never perish. Can’t be more sure emphatic than that, but He added “My Father, which gave them me, gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” Those whom Jesus gives eternal life are His Father’s gift to Him. Would God ever take that gift back, unequivocally no! The re-deemed are God’s gift to the Son and He will not take that gift from Him. We (the redeemed) are secure, because we are that gift.
Secured eternal life, however, is not the Christian’s license to live a life that is not God honoring. The apostle Paul was led to write the following: “1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. 5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. 8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all. 12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:1-17).
Salvation (the gift of eternal life) is free and irrevocable but living that life takes surrender of self will and commitment to the will of God.
Steve
Stevelampman.com
Transforming Power; The Work of God on Behalf of Man
Oscar Leske
www.UnderstandingtheSignsofOurTimes
Lian Muan Kim
Koinonia Baptist Seminary – Yangon, Myanmar