Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | September 6, 2011

“the Lord is able to make him stand”

Today’s devotion comes from Romans 14:1-4.
 
“1  Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions.
 
2  One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only.
 
3  The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him.
 
4  Who are you to judge the servant of another?  To his own master he stands or falls;  and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.”  Romans 14:1-4.  
 
———————————–
 
We are eager to pass judgment on the nonessential opinions and actions of others.  We often like to do that with others (gossip).  If our audience is like us, we can isolate and contrast the other to make us look better in comparison.  “Did you see him?  He only eats vegetables!  He is a weak Christian!”  Although Paul uses the example of one who eats vegetables only, there are so many other opinions and actions about nonessential matters that we use to blow up way beyond their importance in order to isolate and criticize others.
 
God has made His elect children different from each other.  We have different skin color.  We have different accents.  We have different gifts.  We have different ministeries.  It is a blessing, not a mistake.  “If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be?  If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be?”  1 Corinthians 12:17.  “But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”  1 Corinthians 12:7.  “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:10. 
 
“Who are you to judge the servant of another?  To his own master he stands or falls;  and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.”  Romans 14:4.  
 
We may even fall, but our LORD is able to help us up.  “When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, Because the LORD is the One who holds his hand.”  Psalm 37:24  Our LORD is able to make us stand.  Romans 14:4.
 
Today’s Scripture deals with a nonessential area, vegetables.  It does not deal with a matter of sin.  It is not a sin to either eat vegetables or to not eat vegetables.  But, even in essentials areas, matters of sin, we should still be careful how we respond.     
 
We each struggle with sin.  One of us may be strong in one area and not fall into that particular sin (or at least not as much or not as visibly), but that person will not be as strong in another area but will be more inclined to sin in another area and may sin more visibly in that other area.  We all need compassion and patience and nonjudgmental help from each other.
 
Rather than isolate and criticize and ostracize your brother or sister in Christ, wouldn’t you like to be our LORD’s agent to help him or her stand?!
 
“Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness;  each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.  Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.”  Galatians 6:1-2. 

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | September 5, 2011

We are predestined to holiness and washed clean and led by the Good Shepherd.

Today’s devotion comes from Romans 13:11-14.
 
“11  Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep;  for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed.
 
12 The night is almost gone, and the day is near.  Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
 
13  Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy.
 
14  But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.”  Romans 13:11-14.
 
————————– 
 
It is so hard to read this Scripture.  We still struggle with sin.  We still want to keep that corner of our lives that does make provision for sin.
 
But, there is hope!
 
We are predestined to holiness.
 
“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.  …”  Ephesians 1:3-4.
 
2 Thessalonians 2:13
“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.”
 
We are washed clean and spotless by Christ.
 
“… 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.
 
Here is what The Heidelberg Catechism states:
 
Question 70.  What is it to be washed with the blood and Spirit of Christ?
 
Answer.  It is to receive of God the remission of sins, freely, for the sake of Christ’s blood, which he shed for us by his sacrifice upon the cross; and also to be renewed by the Holy Ghost, and sanctified to be members of Christ, that so we may more and more die unto sin, and lead holy and unblamable lives. 
 
We are led by “The Good Shepherd” Who guides us in the paths of righteousness.
 
“He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.”  Psalm 23:3.  
 
“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,”  1 Corinthians 1:30 
 
In conclusion, righteousness is part of our salvation.  God fully saves us.  God gives us the will and works within us to “lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light”.  God gives us the will and works within us to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ”.  God gives us the will and works within us to “make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.”
 
“So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;  for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:12-13. 

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | September 4, 2011

“love is the fulfillment of the law”

Today’s devotion comes from Romans 13:8-10.
 
“8  Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another;  for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.
 
9  For this, “YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.”
 
10  Love does no wrong to a neighbor;  therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”  Romans 13:8-10.
 
——————————— 
 
Jesus commanded:  “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”  Matthew 7:12.  Some call it “The Golden Rule”.
 
“And He (Jesus) said to him, “ ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’  This is the great and foremost commandment.  The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’  On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”  Matthew 22:37-40.
 
Yet, our nature is not to be loving.  Rather, our nature is one of “Total Depravity”, the “T” of “TULIP”. 
 
“13  “THEIR THROAT IS AN OPEN GRAVE,
WITH THEIR TONGUES THEY KEEP DECEIVING,”
“THE POISON OF ASPS IS UNDER THEIR LIPS”;
14  “WHOSE MOUTH IS FULL OF CURSING AND BITTERNESS”;
15  “THEIR FEET ARE SWIFT TO SHED BLOOD,
16  DESTRUCTION AND MISERY ARE IN THEIR PATHS,
17  AND THE PATH OF PEACE THEY HAVE NOT KNOWN.”   Romans 3:13-17.
 
But, there is hope!
 
We can look to the Holy Spirit and trust Him to produce the fruit of love in our lives.  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22-23.
 
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.  For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh;  for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.  Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are:  immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;  against such things there is no law.  Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”  Galatians 5:16-24. 
 
Love is the fulfillment of the law.
 
Galatians 5:14
“For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “ YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.”
 
Galatians 6:2
“Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.”
 
James 2:8
“If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, “ YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF,” you are doing well.”

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | September 2, 2011

Be Subject to Government: “so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life …”

Today’s devotion comes from Romans 13:1-7.
 
“1  Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities.  For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. 
 
2  Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God;  and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.
 
3  For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil.  Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same;
 
4  for it is a minister of God to you for good.  But if you do what is evil, be afraid;  for it does not bear the sword for nothing;  for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.
 
5  Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.
 
6  For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing.
 
7  Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom;  fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.”  Romans 13:1-7. 
 
———————————
 
Be subject to government.  Government is part of God’s sovereignty, providence, protection, and care. 
 
Here is what The Belgic Confession states in part:
 
Article 36:  Of Magistrates.

We believe that our gracious God, because of the depravity of mankind, hath appointed kings, princes and magistrates, willing that the world should be governed by certain laws and policies; to the end that the dissoluteness of men might be restrained, and all things carried on among them with good order and decency.  For this purpose he hath invested the magistracy with the sword, for the punishment of evil-doers, and for the protection of them that do well.  …

to subject himself to the magistrates;  to pay tribute, to show due honor and respect to them, and to obey them in all things which are not repugnant to the Word of God;  to supplicate for them in their prayers, that God may rule and guide them in all their ways, and that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.  Wherefore we detest the Anabaptists and other seditious people, and in general all those who reject the higher powers and magistrates, and would subvert justice, introduce community of goods, and confound that decency and good order, which God hath established among men.

And, we need to pray for our government leaders.

“First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.  This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”  1 Timothy 2:1-4. 

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | September 1, 2011

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Today’s devotion comes from Romans 12:14-21.
 
“14 Bless those who persecute you;  bless and do not curse.
 
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
 
16 Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.
 
17  Never pay back evil for evil to anyone.  Respect what is right in the sight of all men.
 
18  If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.
 
19  Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord.
 
20  “BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK;  FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.”
 
21  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”  Romans 12:14-21.
 
——————————— 
 
It is Christ within us that overcomes.  “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you have tribulation, but take courage;  I have overcome the world.”  John 6:33.
 
Revelation 17:14
“These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.”
 
“Who will separate us from the love of Christ?  Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  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.”

But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 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. 

Notice the confidence of the Apostle John that we will overcome.

1 John 2:13
“I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning.  I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one.  I have written to you, children, because you know the Father.”
 
1 John 2:14
“I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.”
 
1 John 4:4
“You are from God, little children, and have overcome them;  because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.”
 
1 John 5:4
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world;  and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.”
 
1 John 5:5
“Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”
 
And, there are the abundant, overflowing rewards for those who overcome!
 
Revelation 2:7
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.’”
 
Revelation 2:11
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.’”
 
Revelation 2:17
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.’”
 
“He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, TO HIM I WILL GIVE AUTHORITY OVER THE NATIONS;  AND HE SHALL RULE THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON, AS THE VESSELS OF THE POTTER ARE BROKEN TO PIECES, as I also have received authority from My Father;  and I will give him the morning star.”  Revelation 2:26-28.
 
Revelation 3:5
“He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.”
 
Revelation 3:12
“He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name.”
 
Revelation 3:21
“He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.”
 
Revelation 21:7
“He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son.”
 
 
In summary, we need not be intimidated by evil nor overcome by evil.  Through God’s grace and power working in us, we can overcome evil with good.  The following verses present poetic and beautiful images for a conclusion.  Like the light of dawn chases away the darkness, God’s lovingkindness and work within us overcomes evil with good.   
 
Psalm 52:1
“Why do you boast in evil, O mighty man?  The lovingkindness of God endures all day long.”
 
Proverbs 4:18
“But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, That shines brighter and brighter until the full day.”

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | August 31, 2011

Let Love Be Sincere, Producing Fruits

Today’s devotion comes from Romans 12:9-13.
 
“Let love be without hypocrisy.  Abhor what is evil;  cling to what is good.  Be devoted to one another in brotherly love;  give preference to one another in honor;  not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;  rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.”  Romans 12:9-13. 
 
————————–
 
It is easy to say that you love your fellow church members.  It is easy to pretend that you love your fellow church members.  So, today’s Scripture starts with the command:  “Let love be without hypocrisy.”  In other words, let love be sincere.  Don’t just say that you love someone;  show it! 
 
Like “… faith without works is dead.” (James 2:26), love without works is dead.  1 Corinthians 13:4-7 defines love in terms of its fruit.  “Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous;  love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly;  it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;  bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” 
 
But, we are by natural not loving. 
“13  “THEIR THROAT IS AN OPEN GRAVE,
WITH THEIR TONGUES THEY KEEP DECEIVING,”
“THE POISON OF ASPS IS UNDER THEIR LIPS”;
14  “WHOSE MOUTH IS FULL OF CURSING AND BITTERNESS”;
15  “THEIR FEET ARE SWIFT TO SHED BLOOD,
16  DESTRUCTION AND MISERY ARE IN THEIR PATHS,
17  AND THE PATH OF PEACE THEY HAVE NOT KNOWN.”  Romans 3:13-17.
 
But, there is hope!
 
The Holy Spirit within us produces the fruit of love.  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22-23.
 
“So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.”  Galatians 6:10 .  Today’s Scripture provides some specific opportunities to love others as we should:  “give preference to one another in honor;  not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;  rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.” 
 
There are also other opportunities.  God will put an opportunity for you to do good and to love someone right in front of your face today.  “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:10.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | August 30, 2011

Christian Service: Stick to your Gifts and What is Best

Today’s devotion comes from Romans 12:1-8.
 
” 1  Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
 
2  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
                                    

3  For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.

4  For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function,

5  so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

6  Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly:  if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith;

7  if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching;

8  or he who exhorts, in his exhortation;  he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence;  he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.”  Romans 12:1-8.

—————————— 

There are many different things we can do in Christian service, but we need to determine our gifts and God’s perfect will for us.  We will not accomplish what is best if we settle for what is good.

We have a duty as fellow Christian brothers and sisters to encourage and help others discover their gifts.  We need to be truthful, not just flatter and be nice.

When we discover our gifts and God’s perfect will for us, we need to decline those opportunities for merely good service, so that we can accomplish the best service.  We need to realize that we will be tempted to accept the merely good, most often when we are praised.  We need to say:  “No, thank you.” and stay focused on our gifts and God’s perfect will for us.  Notice the focus in today’s Scripture.  “Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith;  if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching;  or he who exhorts, in his exhortation;  he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence;  he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.” 

“For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function,”  Romans 12:4.  An ear should not try to be an eye.  A foot should not try to be a hand.

God is in total control, giving gifts and working all things in all persons, all for the common good.  “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.  And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord.  There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.  But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”  1 Corinthians 12:4-7.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | August 29, 2011

Election: Our Proper Reaction

Today’s devotion comes from Romans 11:33-36. 
 
“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. 
 
—————————–
 
We come to the conclusion of both the chapter and the extensive section on the doctrine of election. 
 
Today’s Scripture recognizes that we can’t fully understand why God would save some and would condemn others:  “How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!  For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR?” 
 
Today’s Scripture recognizes that we can’t rightly accuse God of injustice of condemning those others:  “Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN?”.
 
Here is what The Canons of Dordt state:
 
Article 18.  To those who murmur at the free grace of election, and just severity of reprobation, we answer with the apostle: “Nay, but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God?”  Romans 9:20, and quote the language of our Savior:  “Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with my own?”  Matthew 20:15.  And therefore with holy adoration of these mysteries, we exclaim in the words of the apostle: “O the depths of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!  For who hath known the mind of the Lord, or who hath been his counselor?  Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?  For of him, and through him, and to him are all things: to whom be glory for ever.  Amen.”
 
Psalm Chapter 2 provides a warning to those who continue to try to resist election.  “Let us tear their fetters apart And cast away their cords from us!” 
 
Psalm Chapter 2 provides a blessing to those who trust God concerning election:  “How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!”  
 
Nevertheless, regardless of man’s reaction to election, Psalm Chapter 2 instructs us that God remains firmly and totally in sovereign control of salvation.
 
“1 Why are the nations in an uproar
And the peoples devising a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth take their stand
And the rulers take counsel together
Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying,
3 “Let us tear their fetters apart
And cast away their cords from us!”

 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 who take refuge in Him!”  Psalm Chapter 2. 

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | August 28, 2011

For the elect, “the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable”

Today’s devotion comes from Romans 11:25-32.
 
“25  For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery—so that you will not be wise in your own estimation—that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in;  26  and so all Israel will be saved;  just as it is written,
 
“THE DELIVERER WILL COME FROM ZION,
HE WILL REMOVE UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB.”
27 “THIS IS MY COVENANT WITH THEM,
WHEN I TAKE AWAY THEIR SINS.”
 
28  From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of God’s choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers;  29  for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.  30 For just as you once were disobedient to God, but now have been shown mercy because of their disobedience, 31  so these also now have been disobedient, that because of the mercy shown to you they also may now be shown mercy.  32  For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all.”  Romans 11:25-32. 

————————–

For the elect, both Jews and Gentiles, “the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable”.  God does not “give and take”.  God does not base his actions on our reactions.  God does not fall out of love with His elect.  “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.”  James 1:17. 

“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.”  Isaiah 46:9-11.
                                  

Here is what Article 11 of The Canons of Dordt state about “the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable”. 

Article 11.  And as God himself is most wise, unchangeable, omniscient and omnipotent, so the election made by him can neither be interrupted nor changed, recalled or annulled;  neither can the elect be cast away, nor their number diminished. 

In conclusion, Ephesians 1:3-8 describes these irrevocable gifts and calling.  “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.  In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us.   …”

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | August 26, 2011

“his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him”

Today’s devotion comes from Romans 11:17-24.
 
“17  But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree,
 
18  do not be arrogant toward the branches;  but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you.
 
19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.”
 
20  Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear;
 
21  for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either.
 
22  Behold then the kindness and severity of God;  to those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s kindness, if you continue in His kindness;  otherwise you also will be cut off.
 
23  And they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.
 
24  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 be grafted into their own olive tree?”  Romans 11:17-24
 
—————— 
 
Today’s devotion continues the specific hope that we all have, focusing primarily again on the Jews.  We remember the context of today’s Scripture, namely the God’s decree of reprobation. 
 
It seems like there is no hope for the Jews when we read Romans 11:8-9:  “… GOD GAVE THEM A SPIRIT OF STUPOR, EYES TO SEE NOT AND EARS TO HEAR NOT, DOWN TO THIS VERY DAY.”  … “LET THEIR TABLE BECOME A SNARE AND A TRAP, AND A STUMBLING BLOCK AND A RETRIBUTION TO THEM.  “LET THEIR EYES BE DARKENED TO SEE NOT, AND BEND THEIR BACKS FOREVER.” 
 
But, there is hope!  The Jews, “if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again … how much more will these who are the natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree?”  This reminds me of the hope that the “Prodigal Son” had, because he had a “Faithful Father”!     
 
“But when he (“the Prodigal Son”) came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger!  I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight;  I am no longer worthy to be called your son;  make me as one of your hired men.”’  So he got up and came to his father.  But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.  And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight;  I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’  But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet;  and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate;  for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again;  he was lost and has been found.’  And they began to celebrate.”  Luke 15:17-23. 
 
Today’s Scripture also contains a warning for us Gentiles, in a sense, the “Elder Son”:  “do not be arrogant toward the branches (Jews) …  Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear;  for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either.”  Romans 11:18-20.  “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.”  Romans 11:23. 
 
We are exhorted to persevere in our faith.  But, we can look to our “Faithful Father” to give us the grace to persevere.  “Perseverance of the Saints” a/k/a “Preservation of the Saints” is part of the doctrine of the grace of salvation, “TULIP”.   
 
In conclusion, above all, we have a “Faithful Father”.  In Luke Chapter 15, we have the three parables:  “the Lost Sheep” parable, “the Lost Coin” parable, and this “Prodigal Son” parable which could also be titled “the Lost Son” parable.  We have a “Faithful Father” who is “the Good Shepherd” Who leaves the ninety-nine in the open pasture and goes after the one which is lost until He finds it, and when He has found it, He lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.  We have a “Faithful Father” who is the “the Good Household Manager” Who lights a lamp and sweeps the house and searches carefully until He finds the lost coin, and when He has found it, He calls together His friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost!’  We have a “Faithful Father” Who feels compassion for us, His sons, Who finds us and restores us, Who embraces us and kisses us, Who clothes us with His righteousness, and Who even throws a party to celebrate our return. 

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