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 heart and mind in 1 Timothy 1:4,
"Such things [false teaching] promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith."
"God's work" is by faith. Our salvation is by faith, "Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life." John 3:24. It is impossible to please God apart from faith, "Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Hebrews 11:6.
We are introduced to God's choice, that he would select for himself all who will place their faith in him in the very first book of the Bible, Genesis. There we are presented with Abraham, whom God holds up for us as the "parade ground example" of faith, "Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness." Paul uses this verse to demonstrate the way of salvation, "This is why 'it was credited to him as righteousness.' The words 'it was credited to him' were written not for him [Abraham] alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification." Romans 4:22-25.
Likewise, the last book in our Bibles continue the message of the imperative of faith, "with him [the Lamb - Jesus Christ] will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.” The Scriptures primary message is the salvation we are offered is secured through faith. I am reminded of Paul's observation, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand." Romans 5:1-2. It is all about faith.
Have you ever wondered why faith is the criteria for salvation? Why is it the Lord requires us to embrace him in faith if we wish to spend eternity with him? This is not some theological scheme presented us by those who might have wished to spawn a new religion. It was God's choice that those who would embrace him in faith would be those he would choose for himself.
This is what is meant by the term "election". When the Scriptures speak of God's election, contrary to the pop theology having its heyday in many churches these days, God's election, his choice, are all those who will embrace him in faith.
God could have chosen only the beautiful. He might have chosen only the intellectual ones, the accomplished ones, the popular ones, the rich ones, only those with green eyes and red hair, or only the tall ones. But he did not. God has chosen for himself all who will choose him, embrace him in faith, "For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe." 1 Corinthians 1:21.
No, it isn't the beautiful, the smart, the accomplished, the popular or rich ones. Here is what Paul has to say, "Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him." 1 Corinthians 1:26-29.
"Such things [false teaching] promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith."
"God's work" is by faith. Our salvation is by faith, "Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life." John 3:24. It is impossible to please God apart from faith, "Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Hebrews 11:6.
We are introduced to God's choice, that he would select for himself all who will place their faith in him in the very first book of the Bible, Genesis. There we are presented with Abraham, whom God holds up for us as the "parade ground example" of faith, "Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness." Paul uses this verse to demonstrate the way of salvation, "This is why 'it was credited to him as righteousness.' The words 'it was credited to him' were written not for him [Abraham] alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification." Romans 4:22-25.
Likewise, the last book in our Bibles continue the message of the imperative of faith, "with him [the Lamb - Jesus Christ] will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.” The Scriptures primary message is the salvation we are offered is secured through faith. I am reminded of Paul's observation, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand." Romans 5:1-2. It is all about faith.
Have you ever wondered why faith is the criteria for salvation? Why is it the Lord requires us to embrace him in faith if we wish to spend eternity with him? This is not some theological scheme presented us by those who might have wished to spawn a new religion. It was God's choice that those who would embrace him in faith would be those he would choose for himself.
This is what is meant by the term "election". When the Scriptures speak of God's election, contrary to the pop theology having its heyday in many churches these days, God's election, his choice, are all those who will embrace him in faith.
God could have chosen only the beautiful. He might have chosen only the intellectual ones, the accomplished ones, the popular ones, the rich ones, only those with green eyes and red hair, or only the tall ones. But he did not. God has chosen for himself all who will choose him, embrace him in faith, "For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe." 1 Corinthians 1:21.
No, it isn't the beautiful, the smart, the accomplished, the popular or rich ones. Here is what Paul has to say, "Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him." 1 Corinthians 1:26-29.
Yes, this is the camp I come from. He saves people just like me: not wise, not influential, not noble, but foolish, weak, lowly and despised. How about you?
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!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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