Today’s devotion comes from Joshua 13:8-33. Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua%2013&version=NASB1995
I quote only the following verses.
“8 With the other half-tribe, the Reubenites and the Gadites received their inheritance which Moses gave them beyond the Jordan to the east, just as Moses the servant of the LORD gave to them; …
15 So Moses gave an inheritance to the tribe of the sons of Reuben according to their families. …
24 Moses also gave an inheritance to the tribe of Gad, to the sons of Gad, according to their families. …
29 Moses also gave an inheritance to the half-tribe of Manasseh; and it was for the half-tribe of the sons of Manasseh according to their families. …
32 These are the territories which Moses apportioned for an inheritance in the plains of Moab, beyond the Jordan at Jericho to the east. …” Joshua 13:8 and 15 and 24 and 29 and 32.
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Today’s Scripture leads us to meditate on the inheritance. What is the inheritance? Who gets the inheritance? How is the inheritance obtained?
In a nutshell, the following Scripture summarizes that our inheritance is salvation, eternal life, and heaven. The chosen of God a/k/a the elect receives the inheritance. The inheritance is obtained through God and His power.
“… To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Peter 1:1-5.
Consider in addition the following Scriptures regarding the point that the chosen a/k/a the elect receive the inheritance of salvation.
“But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.” 2 Thessalonians 2:13.
“For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory.” 2 Timothy 2:10.
“also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will,” Ephesians 1:11.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 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.” Ephesians 1:3-6.
“For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God. But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.” 1 Corinthians 1:26-31.
Because Scripture pounds the table that only the chosen a/k/a the elect a/k/a the predestined receive the inheritance of salvation and eternal life and heaven, then why do so many preachers and teachers shun it or hide it or minimize it?
Some may pay some “lip service” to Reformed “doctrines of grace”. But, when you listen to their sermons and teachings, they focus on man and what man should do, rather than focus on God and what He has done. The sermons and teachings try to build up faith in man and man’s alleged free-will and man’s works, rather than build up faith in God and God’s will and God’s works. They act as if they are embarrassed by it or as if they view it as an obstacle to growing a church.
Rather than shun God’s predestination also known as “Unconditional Election”, we should cling to it, joyfully preaching it and teaching it, recognizing that due to our natural condition of “Total Depravity”, “Unconditional Election” is our only chance for salvation.
Reformed Doctrine accurately summarizes Scripture and teaches that salvation is a work of God alone, by grace alone, and that God handles all the points of salvation from beginning to end: from the beginning of “Unconditional Election” through “Limited Atonement” through “Irresistible Grace” to the end of “Preservation of the Saints”, the “U”, “L”, “I”, and “P” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation. (The “T” of “TULIP” represents “Total Depravity” of man). This true doctrine of salvation is more fully taught in the Reformed Confession called Canons of Dordt.
The Canons of Dordt in the FIRST HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of Divine Predestination states “election is the fountain of every saving good”.
Article 9. This election was not founded upon foreseen faith, and the obedience of faith, holiness, or any other good quality of disposition in man, as the pre-requisite, cause or condition on which it depended; but men are chosen to faith and to the obedience of faith, holiness, etc., therefore election is the fountain of every saving good; from which proceed faith, holiness, and the other gifts of salvation, and finally eternal life itself, as its fruits and effects, according to that of the apostle: “He hath chosen us (not because we were) but that we should be holy, and without blame, before him in love,” Ephesians 1:4.
In any event and in conclusion, God will accomplish His purpose and save everyone of His elect.
“And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” Acts 20:32.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 