Is There Injustice on God's Part?

Romans 9:14-18 asks the question, and I paraphrase, "if God chooses us before we exist, is God unfair (is there injustice on God part)? Of course the answer is, "By no means!" I've never really thought very hard about this point, except to think about how grateful I am to have been chosen, and to help my wife think about why it seems some of her family members are not saved or "chosen". But today I read the verses after the question and the phrase, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion," struck me differently. It's mercy and compassion he gives, not justice. If he gave us justice we would burn in Hell.

Quickly, and lastly for today (and I'm hopeful the shorter writing will help me stay faithful to my blogging and studying again) verse 17 talks about Pharaoh, that God raised him up, that God might show His power in Pharaoh, and that God's name might be proclaimed in all the earth. Pharaoh was used to bring God glory. His heart was hardened toward God, and so Pharaoh rejected God, but God was glorified in this, as His power was revealed when He lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Signs, plagues, and freedom came from God (not Moses), and these things revealed God's great love for His people and His great power over creation.

Praise God for His Mercy.

Not Because of Works but Because of His Call

No excuses, I'm just going to move on. I last left off in Romans chapter 9, talking about the fact that Paul would die for his "kinsman." Paul continues to clarify that, although God's promise was for the Jews, not all Jews are chosen. Down in verse 11 something caught my eye to write quickly today. "though the (Jacob & Esau) were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad - in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of His call..." God's calling has been for all time and is not based on our works.

I'm really struggling with my own spiritual life because I'm focusing so much on my sins and on the lack of service. While these things are serious concerns, my salvation is not from these things, only evidenced by them. And, while there is not a lot of good evidence in my life, and that is scary, dwelling solely on my sin does not help me move forward and live for the glory of God.

I keep writing about the importance of God's word. Read it. Study it. Apply it. Live it. It's been some time since I last read or wrote and this mornings reading just made me feel closer and more connected to God again. Nothing I've done can or has earned me salvation, as I am a wretched person full of sin. Thanks be to God for the gift of His son Jesus, for the payment made on my behalf. My sins are forgiven by the blood of Christ. I now have the freedom to live my life to the glory of God the Father and Creator, the Almighty King over all, the Ruler over Heaven and of Earth, the One who will defeat Satan and destroy him armies.

Praise God for His Power over Sin, over Death, and over The Evil One's grip.
Praise God for His Glory and Grace.

Wretched Man That I Am

The more I review my life, the more concern I have regarding my place in eternity. I have no fruit in my life. I have no joy, no peace, none of the signs we all talk about as Christians. Do you? Do you really have complete and total peace and joy? Is there fruit? Do you see people's lives being changed because of what you do and how you live and the things you share with them about the truths of God?

Last night my wife and I had dinner with one of my favorite people. He is a really close friend, he was a groomsman in my wedding, and he is a "good person." The problem is, he's not saved. He doesn't believe in his need for a savior. He doesn't believe the Bible is the inspired Word of the Creator and Savior of this world. He is good in the eyes of the world, but he is not saved and therefore can not do anything good, as it is not being done for the glory of God. But why would he? He does have many friends that claim Christianity and a belief in God, but how often are these people living proof of that? I, for one, am a hindrance to the hope that he will see his need for a Savior.

I know that nothing I can do will save him. I know that despite my failures, God can reveal Himself to this friend. But what am I doing to facilitate a good work? "Nothing." That's the true answer. And it's beginning to make me sick. My own life is beginning to make me hate myself, my sin, and my lack of purpose. If my life does nothing to glorify God, my life in useless and wasted and void of value. God should be glorified in all that I do. I should strive to bring glory to his name at every moment I can. I've been saved from my wreched sin, and yet I live as though I am still an unsaved hopeless person.

I need Christ so much more than I realize. Salvation is an amazing gift of grace and mercy. God should (and I would deserve it) send me straight to Hell and eternal damnation. I continue to blow the opportunities he gives me to point to Him, to glorify Him, to praise and honor Him. I am wasting my life every minute and wasting precious, valuable time I could be devoted to Him. Why do I not crave time in the Word of GOD? Why do I not crave time in prayer, talking to the Almighty Creator? Why do I not scream out praise of the one who has saved me from this wretched sinful life I live?

Praise the Almighty God for the salvation that comes only through the blood of His Son, poured out on the cross for me, a wretched, sinful being with no value except that which he sees and has saved for His own purpose. Praise God for the undeserved mercy and grace, the unearned rescue He's given to me, pulling me out of the darkness of sin and into Him marvelous light.

Praise God for all Eternity for His Amazing Love, Grace, and Mercy on us.