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 Philippians 2:13,
In Romans 8:28-29 we read that God knew ahead of time there would be a remnant from among mankind he would choose as his own, to populate a family for himself of men and women. Following mankind's rejection of God and turn from him in the garden of Eden, he set in motion an agenda to reconcile to himself all those who would turn back to him, to embrace him in faith. That agenda includes an invitation, a "call" to all mankind, and for all who respond he brings into his family. "To all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God". John 1:12. Of these, the ones he knew ahead of time that would respond to his invitation, he predestined something very unique: he would begin a process that would transform them from the "warts" and "blemishes" of their sinful natures into the very image of Jesus Christ! A transformation from a sinful condition to a life pleasing to him, that reflects his own Son's character and nature. "We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters." Romans 8:28-29.
What does this look like? Many refuse to acknowledge their personal shortcomings, possibly for some they are "blind spots", things we fail to see in ourselves yet those around us can see. Nevertheless, we all have these shortcomings, some expressed this way and some another way. Paul provides a sample listing: "The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like." Galatians 5:19-21. Maybe you don't see yourself here, but as Paul points out, these and things like these are the acts of our sinful natures. We all have them in some form to one degree or another.
What God does in our lives, his good purpose, is to bring about change where these acts of our sinful natures become displaced by the "fruit of the Spirit". "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23. In doing this he prepares us to be productive and effective in bringing others into his family.
As I reflect on all this, I find it all just amazing...
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
No comments:
Post a Comment