The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in Romans 11:13-14,
"I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I make much of my ministry in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them."
Where some believe the expression of faith in God is the result of something akin to a "roofie", something one has no control over or choice in, as a date-rape drug, the Scriptures teach something different altogether. Paul points to his efforts to arouse the Jews to envy as a ploy to bring as many as he could to faith. One shouldn't have to point out that the response to an envious circumstance is always by choice and an exercise of the will.
Paul was the preeminent evangelist to the Gentiles of his day. As such he had his methods, I am convinced, directed and endorsed by the Lord himself who had appointed him his ambassador. We find Paul utilizing persuasion of various types in the accounts given us of his ministry. In Acts 18:4, as Paul worked in Corinth we are told, "Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks." Having been subjected to Paul's intensity, King Agrippa exclaimed, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?" Acts 26:28. In his letter to the church in Corinth Paul says, "Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men." 2 Corinthians 5:11.
These are not the efforts of someone who is convinced of salvation as a fate unrelated to a free choice exercised by the will. What this tells me is that God grants us all opportunity to embrace him. I will never understand the notion that God has selected special ones for himself to leave all others to the great cosmic ash heap for eternity. I can guarantee you, there is nothing special about me! He sent his Son as the great expression of his love to a lost and dying world in hopes that all men "be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth." 1 Timothy 2:4. As a believer, while remarkable to say the least that I am an object of God's love and affection, I am no different that any other person. God's love is so expansive, he loves us all! He wants us all! Peter tells us the reason the Lord has not returned in his glorious second coming yet is that he his holding open the door for as many as will choose him. "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9. The love and mercy of our wonderful God transcends the hopelessly limited theological concepts of any man. All I can do is simply marvel at what I am able to grasp, as I recognize the Lord has sent his ambassadors into the world to persuade us all to faith!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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