Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | August 19, 2011

“WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.”

Today’s devotion comes from Romans 10:5-13.
 
“5  For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law shall live by that righteousness.
 
6  But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: “DO NOT SAY IN YOUR HEART, ‘WHO WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN?’ (that is, to bring Christ down),
 
7  or ‘WHO WILL DESCEND INTO THE ABYSS?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).”
 
8  But what does it say?  “THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching,
 
9  that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;
 
10  for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.
 
11  For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.”
 
12  For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him;
 
13  for “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.”  Romans 10:5-13.
 
—————————
 
We read again the contrast between attempting to attain righteousness through the law compared to attempting to attain righteousness through faith in Christ.  Those who attempt to attain righteousness through the law focus on themselves and what they can do such as:  ‘WHO WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), or ‘WHO WILL DESCEND INTO THEABYSS?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).”  Those who attempt to attain righteousness through faith in Christ don’t ask such questions about what they can do, but rather they believe that Christ provides all that is necessary for salvation and that Christ is “Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him”.
 
Through God’s grace, they (those who attempt to attain righteousness through faith in Christ) don’t only believe.  “… the demons also believe, and shudder.”  James 2:19.  They also confess with their mouth Jesus as Lord, and they call upon Him to save them, submitting to Him as Lord and trusting Him to provide all that is needed for salvation.
 
Here is what The Heidelberg Catechism states:
 
Question 21. What is true faith?
 
Answer.  True faith is not only a certain knowledge,  whereby I hold for truth all that God has revealed to us in his word, but also an assured confidence, which the Holy Ghost works by the gospel, in my heart;  that not only to others, but to me also, remission of sin, everlasting righteousness and salvation, are freely given by God, merely of grace, only for the sake of Christ’s merits. 
 
In conclusion, so that we are reminded of God’s sovereignty over salvation;  and so that we don’t view “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.” as our act of “free-will faith” and our contribution to salvation that would entitle us to some kind of credit;  let us view the source of that quote which is Joel 2:32.
 
“And it will come about that whoever calls on the name of the LORD
Will be delivered;
For on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem
There will be those who escape,
As the LORD has said,
Even among the survivors whom the LORD calls.”  Joel 2:32.
 
Those who call on the name of the LORD are those whom God has called. 
 
“True faith is … an assured confidence, which the Holy Ghost works by the gospel, in my heart … that … everlasting righteousness and salvation, are freely given by God, merely of grace, only for the sake of Christ’s merits”. 
 
This sovereign grace of providing all that is needed for salvation is “abounding in riches for all who call on Him”.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | August 18, 2011

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”

Today’s devotion comes from Romans 10:1-4.
 
“1  Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation.
 
2  For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge.
 
3  For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.
 
4  For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”  Romans 10:1-4. 
 
—————————-
 
“Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.  But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.  For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.”  Galatians 3:24-26. 
 
“Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.”  Romans 7:4.
 
“For if I rebuild what I have once destroyed, I prove myself to be a transgressor.  For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ;  and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me;  and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.  I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”  Galatians 2:18-21.
 
“It was for freedom that Christ set us free;  therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.  Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you.   And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law.  You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law;  you have fallen from grace.  For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness.”  Galatians 5:1-5.
 
“More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,”  Philippians 3:8-9.
 
“Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.  See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.  For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority;”  Colossians 2:6-10.
 
“For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.”  John 1:17.
 

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | August 17, 2011

Sovereignty, Stumbling Pursuing Law, and Surpassing Value of Knowing Christ

Today’s devotion comes from Romans 9:30-33.
 
“30 What shall we say then?  That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, attained righteousness, even the righteousness which is by faith;
 
31  but Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law.
 
32  Why?  Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as though it were by works.  They stumbled over the stumbling stone,
 
33  just as it is written,                                                                                                                 “BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE,
AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.”  Romans 9:30-33.
 
—————————–
 
In God’s sovereignty over salvation, God saved many of the Gentiles by giving them faith in Jesus Christ.  These Gentiles did not pursue righteousness or salvation, but God caused them to attain righteousness and salvation by giving them faith in Jesus Christ.
 
On the other hand, but as still part of God’s sovereignty over salvation, God “LAY IN ZION A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE”.  Israel stumbled over the stumbling stone (Christ) and did not believe in Him.  
 
Even though God is sovereign, we still have the duty to learn lessons and follow the right path to righteousness and salvation.  We can apply I Corinthians Chapter 10 to today’s Scripture.  Even though 1 Corinthians Chapter 10 speaks specifically about immorality, we can consider that what happened to Israel about pursuing righteousness based on the law can be a warning to us.  “Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved.  Do not be idolaters, as some of them were;  as it is written, “THE PEOPLE SAT DOWN TO EAT AND DRINK, AND STOOD UP TO PLAY.”  Nor let us act immorally, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day.  Nor let us try the Lord, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the serpents.  Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer.  Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.  Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.”  1 Corinthians 10:6-12.
 
Like the Jews and like the Galatians, it may tempt us today to pursue righteousness based on the law.  “You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?  This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?  Are you so foolish?  Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?  Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?  So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?”  Galatians 3:1-4. 
 
But, the warning is in today’s Scripture and throughout Scripture to not pursue righteousness based on the law.
 
“For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse;  for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, TO PERFORM THEM.”  Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident;  for, “THE RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.”  However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, “HE WHO PRACTICES THEM SHALL LIVE BY THEM.”  Galatians 3:10-12.
 
“You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law;  you have fallen from grace.  For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness.”  Galatians 5:4-4.
 
If anybody had motivation to pursue righteousness based on the law, it was Paul.  “circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee;  as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless.  But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.  More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,”  Philippians 3:5-9.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | August 16, 2011

The Sovereignty of God over Salvation and Love of God for those whom He saved

Today’s devotion comes from Romans 9:25-29.
 
“25  As He says also in Hosea,                                                                                                                                                “I WILL CALL THOSE WHO WERE NOT MY PEOPLE, ‘MY PEOPLE,’
AND HER WHO WAS NOT BELOVED, ‘BELOVED.’”
                                       
26  “AND IT SHALL BE THAT IN THE PLACE WHERE IT WAS SAID TO THEM, ‘YOU ARE NOT MY PEOPLE,’
THERE THEY SHALL BE CALLED SONS OF THE LIVING GOD.”
                                        

27  Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, “THOUGH THE NUMBER OF THE SONS OF ISRAEL BE LIKE THE SAND OF THE SEA, IT IS THE REMNANT THAT WILL BE SAVED;

28 FOR THE LORD WILL EXECUTE HIS WORD ON THE EARTH, THOROUGHLY AND QUICKLY.”

29  And just as Isaiah foretold,                                                                                                                               “UNLESS THE LORD OF SABAOTH HAD LEFT TO US A POSTERITY,
WE WOULD HAVE BECOME LIKE SODOM, AND WOULD HAVE RESEMBLED GOMORRAH.”  Romans 9:25-29.

——————————–

The sovereignty of God over salvation is not only over individuals (“Just as it is written, “JACOB I LOVED, BUT ESAU I HATED.”  Romans 9:13);  the sovereignty of God over salvation is also over peoples.  In today’s Scripture, we read in verses 25 to 26 the description that God saved many Gentiles, and we read in verses 27 to 29 the description that God only saved a remnant of Jews. 

Before we, the Gentiles, get proud and careless, we should remember “Total Depravity”, the “T” of “TULIP” that there was nothing more attractive about us that induced God to save so many of us Gentiles. 

Even though “IT IS THE REMNANT THAT WILL BE SAVED”, there is the hope that there are some Jews who were saved and some Jews who will be saved.  We know that Jesus’ disciples and most of the earliest Christians were Jews, and we read in this same chapter:  “And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory, even us, whom He also called, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles.”  Romans 9:23-24. 

There is also this warning and promise in Romans Chapter 11:22-24.  “Behold then the kindness and severity of God;  to those who fell (Jews), severity, but to you (Gentiles), God’s kindness, if you continue in His kindness;  otherwise you also will be cut off.  And they (Jews) also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.  For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these who are the natural branches (Jews) be grafted into their own olive tree?”

Here is what The Canons of Dordt state about the need to humble ourselves and be diligent to walk in the ways of the elect: 

Article 13.  The sense and certainty of this election afford to the children of God additional matter for daily humiliation before him, for adoring the depth of his mercies, for cleansing themselves, and rendering grateful returns of ardent love to him, who first manifested so great love towards them.  The consideration of this doctrine of election is so far from encouraging remissness in the observance of the divine commands, or from sinking men in carnal security, that these, in the just judgment of God, are the usual effects of rash presumption, or of idle and wanton trifling with the grace of election, in those who refuse to walk in the ways of the elect.

With that warning of the severity of God and that promise of the kindness of God, let us go back to the main point of this Scripture for today to make sure it sticks with us.  God is sovereign over salvation not only for individuals but also for peoples. 

Let us also consider and cherish the three intimate descriptions of love for those Gentiles that God saved:  “MY PEOPLE”, “BELOVED”, and “SONS OF THE LIVING GOD”. 

When we thus consider both the extent of the sovereignty of God over salvation and the love of God for those whom He saved, what should be our response?

“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!  For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR?  Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN?  For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.”  Romans 11:33-36.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | August 15, 2011

The Sharp Contrast

Today’s devotion comes from Romans 9:22-24.
 
“What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction?
 
And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory, even us, whom He also called, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles.”  Romans 9:22-24.
 
——————————
 
The sharp contrast between God’s dealings with “vessels of wrath” and God’s dealings with “vessels of mercy” helps us better understand the riches of His glory upon those “vessels of mercy”.    
 
Consider God’s action of making Israel see the Egyptians dead on the seashore after He delivered Israel through the Red Sea by His miracle of pulling back the sea so Israel could cross through the sea safely on dry land, but then letting down the sea thereafter to drown the pursuing Egyptians.   “Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. When Israel saw the great power which the LORD had used against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in His servant Moses.”  Exodus 14:30-31.  
 
“7  A thousand may fall at your side
And ten thousand at your right hand,
But it shall not approach you.
8  You will only look on with your eyes
And see the recompense of the wicked.
9  For you have made the LORD, my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place.”  Psalm 32:8-9. 
 
““…  Hallelujah!  Salvation and glory and power belong to our God;  BECAUSE HIS JUDGMENTS ARE TRUE AND RIGHTEOUS;  for He has judged the great harlot who was corrupting the earth with her immorality, and HE HAS AVENGED THE BLOOD OF HIS BOND-SERVANTS ON HER.”  Revelation 19:1-2.
 
In the parable of the wheat (symbolizing the righteous) and the tares (symbolizing the wicked), we are given insight through this parable to why God does not immediately wipe-out the wicked from the presence of the righteous.  “The slaves of the landowner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field?  How then does it have tares?’  And he said to them, ‘An enemy has done this!’  The slaves *said to him, ‘Do you want us, then, to go and gather them up?’  But he *said, ‘No;  for while you are gathering up the tares, you may uproot the wheat with them.  Allow both to grow together until the harvest;  and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather up the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them up;  but gather the wheat into my barn.”’”  Matthew 13:27-30.
 
In Psalm 73, the Psalmist first wonders why God patiently tolerates the wicked:
“2  But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling,
My steps had almost slipped.
3  For I was envious of the arrogant
As I saw the prosperity of the wicked.”  Psalm 73:2-3.
 
But then, the Psalmist comes to his senses:
“16  When I pondered to understand this,
It was troublesome in my sight
17  Until I came into the sanctuary of God;
Then I perceived their end.
18  Surely You set them in slippery places;
You cast them down to destruction.
19 How they are destroyed in a moment!
They are utterly swept away by sudden terrors!”  Psalm 73:16-19. 
                                    
So, what was the conclusion of the Psalmist to all of his observations and understanding?
“Surely God is good to Israel,
To those who are pure in heart!”  Psalm 73:1.
 
In conclusion, there is no common grace, but rather there is a sharp contrast between God’s dealings with “vessels of wrath” and God’s dealings with “vessels of mercy” which helps us better understand the riches of His glory upon those “vessels of mercy”.  Although the wicked may even appear to prosper and we may question why God endures with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, “He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy“.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | August 14, 2011

“Woe to the one who quarrels with his Maker”

Today’s devotion comes from Romans 9:19-21.
 
“19 You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault?  For who resists His will?”
 
20  On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God?  The thing molded will not say to the molder, “Why did you make me like this,” will it?
 
21  Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use?”  Romans 9:19-21.
 
————————-
 
If man was in control over salvation, then Paul would not make this anticipated objection:  “Why does He still find fault?  For who resists His will?” 
 
If God elected on the basis of his foresight of who would have faith or works (which would be under the control of man), then man would still be in control and would not say:  “Why did you make me like this?”
 
But, God’s absolute and unconditional sovereignty over salvation is exactly what Paul is teaching, and Paul knows that it may seem unfair to man, so he makes these statements.
 
“You turn things around!
Shall the potter be considered as equal with the clay,
That what is made would say to its maker, “He did not make me”;
Or what is formed say to him who formed it, “He has no understanding”?”  Isaiah 29:16. 
 
So, what does man do? 
 
Man forms theories, such as evolution, that God did not make man. “Let us tear their fetters apart And cast away their cords from us!”  Psalm 2:3.
 
What does God do?
                                        

“4  He who sits in the heavens laughs,
The Lord scoffs at them.
5  Then He will speak to them in His anger
And terrify them in His fury, saying,
6  “But as for Me, I have installed My King
Upon Zion, My holy mountain.”  Psalm 2:4-6.

“Woe to the one who quarrels with his Maker—
An earthenware vessel among the vessels of earth!
Will the clay say to the potter, ‘What are you doing?’
Or the thing you are making say, ‘He has no hands’?”  Isaiah 45:9. 

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | August 12, 2011

Unconditional Election

Today’s devotion comes from Romans 8:14-16.
 
“14 What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be!
 
15  For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.”
 
16  So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.”  Romans 8:14-16.
 
——————————— 
 
Salvation does not depend on the man who wills (“free-will faith”) or the man who runs (“works”), but salvation depends on God who has mercy.  God is sovereign in the area of salvation.  God chooses or elects those whom He will save. 
 
God’s election is unconditional:  the “U” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the doctrines of grace.  God’s election is not based on any condition provided by man which motivates God to save him whether it be works or faith or anything else.  Remember “Total Depravity”, the “T” of “TULIP”.  Man is dead in sin;  there is nothing attractive about the corpses that motivates God to choose one corpse over another.
 
In addition, God’s election is totally based on mercy and compassion.  God does not owe, as a matter of justice, to provide salvation to anyone.  Man has not provided anything (whether it be works or faith or anything else) that obligates God to save him.  Article 1 of The Canons of Dordt states:  “Article 1.  As all men have sinned in Adam, lie under the curse, and are deserving of eternal death, God would have done no injustice by leaving them all to perish, and delivering them over to condemnation on account of sin, according to the words of the apostle, Romans 3:19, “that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.”  And verse 23:  “for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” And Romans 6:23:  “for the wages of sin is death.”  
 
The following Articles of The Canons of Dordt provide a good summary and conclusion:
 
Article 7.  Election is the unchangeable purpose of God, whereby, before the foundation of the world, he hath out of mere grace, according to the sovereign good pleasure of his own will, chosen, from the whole human race, which had fallen through their own fault, from their primitive state of rectitude, into sin and destruction, a certain number of persons to redemption in Christ, whom he from eternity appointed the Mediator and Head of the elect, and the foundation of Salvation.  This elect number, though by nature neither better nor more deserving than the others, but with them involved in one common misery, God hath decreed to give to Christ, to be saved by him, and effectually to call and draw them to his communion by his Word and Spirit, to bestow upon them true faith, justification and sanctification;  and having powerfully preserved them in the fellowship of his Son, finally, to glorify them for the demonstration of his mercy, and for the praise of his glorious grace;  as it is written:  “According as he hath chosen us in him, before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy, and without blame before him in love; having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved,” Ephesians 1:4,5,6.  And elsewhere: “Whom he did predestinate, them he also called;  and whom he called, them he also justified;  and whom he justified, them he also glorified,” Romans 8:30.”
                                            
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.
                                          

Article 10.  The good pleasure of God is the sole cause of this gracious election;  which doth not consist herein, that out of all possible qualities and actions of men God has chosen some as a condition of salvation;  but that he was pleased out of the common mass of sinners to adopt some certain persons as a peculiar people to himself, as it is written, “For the children being not yet born neither having done any good or evil,” etc., it was said (namely to Rebecca):  “the elder shall serve the younger; as it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated,” Romans 9:11,12,13.  “And as many as were ordained to eternal life believed,” Acts 13:48.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | August 11, 2011

“predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will”

Today’s devotion comes from Romans 9:1-13.
 
“1 I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit, 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh, 4 who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises, 5 whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.
                                   

 6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; 7 nor are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants, but: “THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS WILL BE NAMED.” 8 That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants. 9 For this is the word of promise: “AT THIS TIME I WILL COME, AND SARAH SHALL HAVE A SON.” 10 And not only this, but there was Rebekah also, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac; 11 for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls, 12 it was said to her, “THE OLDER WILL SERVE THE YOUNGER.” 13 Just as it is written, “JACOB I LOVED, BUT ESAU I HATED.”  Romans 9:1-13. 

——————————–

“Unconditional Election”, the “U” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, is the subject of Romans Chapter 8, including this Scripture for today.  We already know that these points hang together to form a logical doctrine of salvation.  For example, it is logical that there is the need for the second point of “Unconditional Election”, because of the first point of “Total Depravity“, the “T” of “TULIP”, that man is dead in sin and can contribute nothing (no condition whether it be his own works or faith or anything else) to his salvation.

In today’s Scripture, we read that the purpose of this “Unconditional Election” is that “God’s purpose according to His choice would stand“.  God chooses to be sovereign in the area of salvation.  God is not only sovereign over stars;  God is also sovereign over sinners:  “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,”  Ephesians 1:4-5. 

Matthew 25:34
“Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”

“He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him  with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth.  In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will,”  Ephesians 1:9-11.

“9 “Remember the former things long past,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things which have not been done,
Saying, ‘My purpose will be established,
And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;
11 Calling a bird of prey from the east,
The man of My purpose from a far country.
Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass.
I have planned it, surely I will do it.

 12 “Listen to Me, you stubborn-minded,
Who are far from righteousness.
13 “I bring near My righteousness, it is not far off;
And My salvation will not delay.
And I will grant salvation in Zion,
And My glory for Israel.”

There are those who resist God’s sovereignty in the area of salvation.  They say:  “Let us tear their fetters apart And cast away their cords from us!”  Psalm 2:3. 

What is God’s response?

“4  He who sits in the heavens laughs,
The Lord scoffs at them.
5  Then He will speak to them in His anger
And terrify them in His fury, saying,
6  “But as for Me, I have installed My King
Upon Zion, My holy mountain.”

7 “I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD:
He said to Me, ‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.
8 ‘Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance,
And the very ends of the earth as Your possession.
9 ‘You shall break them with a rod of iron,
You shall shatter them like earthenware.’”

 10 Now therefore, O kings, show discernment;
Take warning, O judges of the earth.
11 Worship the LORD with reverence
And rejoice with trembling.
12 Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way,
For His wrath may soon be kindled.
How blessed are all whotake refuge in Him!”  Psalm 2:4-12.

But, for those who resist God’s sovereignty in the area of salvation.  Isaiah 45:9 warns:                                                                                

“Woe to the one who quarrels with his Maker—
An earthenware vessel among the vessels of earth!
Will the clay say to the potter, ‘What are you doing?’
Or the thing you are making say, ‘He has no hands’?” 

In conclusion, God predestines “… according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will”  Ephesians 1:11.  “The LORD has established His throne in the heavens, And His sovereignty rules over all.”  Psalm 103:19

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | August 10, 2011

“The Love of Christ”: The Effective Power of God to Work All Things for Our Good

Today’s devotion comes from Romans 8:35-39.
 
“35  Who will separate us from the love of Christ?  Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
 
36  Just as it is written,
   “FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG;
WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED.”
                                  

37  But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.

38  For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,

39  nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 8:35-39.

—————————————-

As glorious as this summary and conclusion is to Romans Chapter 8 and all the wonderful promises of God that we already covered, the temptation is to nevertheless focus on the tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, and sword.  Furthermore, the temptation is to consider “the love of Christ” as just a feeling of God, and not properly as the effective power of God to work all things for our good.

But, let us remember the context of today’s Scripture.  Today’s Scripture does not intend to negate or cause us to forget all that was previously stated in Romans Chapter 8.  Rather, today’s Scripture describes the work of God previously stated in Romans 8 as “the love of Christ” and that nothing will interfere with that work.

Here is “the love of Christ” that is the effective power of God to work all things for our good:

“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.”  Romans 8:2.

“For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”  Romans 8:3-4.

“If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.”  Romans 8:10.

“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.  Romans 8:11.

“For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”  Romans 8:14. 

“In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;”  Romans 8:26.

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”  Romans 8:28.

“For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;  and these whom He predestined, He also called;  and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.”  Romans 8:29-30.

“What then shall we say to these things?  If God is for us, who is against us?”  Romans 8:31.

“He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?”  Romans 8:32. 

“Who will bring a charge against God’s elect?  God is the one who justifies;  who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.”  Romans 8:33-34.

So, here is what we say to all those tribulations, distresses, persecutions,  famines, nakednesses, perils, and swords, that we may (not necessarily) experience:  “Whatever!”.  “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”  Romans 8:18.

We exult:  “But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.”  Romans 8:37.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | August 9, 2011

“Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies”

Today’s devotion comes from Romans 8:33-34.
 
“33  Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies;
 
34  who is the one who condemns?  Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.”  Romans 8:33-34.
 
————————–
 
As an attorney, today’s Scripture reminds me of four parts of a criminal case (although you could break it down further): 
1.  The charge a/k/a complaint a/k/a indictment
2.  The trial
3.  The verdict or judgment
4.  The sentence  
 
Today’s Scripture and other Scripture reminds me of the sovereign rule of God over us:
1.  God elects those whom He will charge and those whom He does not charge.  He does not charge us.
2.  Christ is our Advocate, our Attorney who zealously intercedes for us and otherwise represents us.
3.  God is the one who renders judgment and justifies us, pronouncing us:  “Not Guilty!”. 
4.  Christ paid the price of the sentence for us.
 
We certainly understand that some of these parts of God’s sovereign rule overlap, such that God does not charge us, but rather God justifies us, because Christ paid the price of the sentence for us.  And, the Scripture for today also jumps around.
 
But, the message in today’s Scripture is intended to be a succinct summary of God’s sovereign rule.  God  rules “with an iron fist” throughout our case as the Prosecutor, Advocate, Judge, and Scapegoat (no legal term equivalent of which I am aware).
 
But, there is more!   
 
Our situation is not only that we were not charged.  Our situation is not only that we were found “Not Guilty!”  Our situation is not only that we were not punished.  In addition, God clothes us with the righteousness of Christ.  There is no legal term equivalent of that work either.  We can only imagine a Judge at the conclusion of the trial putting a robe of honor on a defendant.  (It didn’t quite happen in the Casey Anthony trial, did it?!)  But, God does so glorify us. 
 
Here is some of what Scripture states:
 
“… He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.  …”  Ephesians 1:4.
 
“and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.”  Romans 8:30. 
 
“… Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.”  Ephesians 5:25-27.
 
Isaiah 61:10
“I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, My soul will exult in my God; For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”
                               
“He will bring forth your righteousness as the light
And your judgment as the noonday.’  Psalm 37:6. 
 
Proverbs 4:18
“But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, That shines brighter and brighter until the full day.”
 
Daniel 12:3
“Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.”
 
Matthew 13:43
“Then THE RIGHTEOUS WILL SHINE FORTH AS THE SUN in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.”

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