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 2 Timothy 1:9,
"He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace."
I am well aware of the love of God. I know of it, I have experienced it in my life and I am the recipient of God's lavish gift of eternal life because of it. What I do not know is why. Why does he love us so? Why did he send his Son, Jesus Christ to die on that miserable cross to secure my forgiveness, paying the penalty for all the wrong things I have done?
I know of his love, but I do not know why he loves the way he does. I am reminded of David's question of God, "Lord, what are human beings that you care for them, mere mortals that you think of them?" I know myself all too well, and I am a bit too honest with myself to know there is anything I would consider worthy of redeeming. And, yet, God does.
We read in Titus 3:4-5, "When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy." My passage this morning in 2 Timothy 1:9 says much the same thing. There really is no redeeming value to my life from my own actions, my own decisions, the things I say and do, the things I feel at times. And, yet, God loves me and has made a way for me into his family. He has done this for all of us. "Not because of anything we have done", "not because of righteous things we had done". No, not because of our loveliness, but because of his mercy, because of his incomprehensible love, because of "his own purpose and grace."
"He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace."
I am well aware of the love of God. I know of it, I have experienced it in my life and I am the recipient of God's lavish gift of eternal life because of it. What I do not know is why. Why does he love us so? Why did he send his Son, Jesus Christ to die on that miserable cross to secure my forgiveness, paying the penalty for all the wrong things I have done?
I know of his love, but I do not know why he loves the way he does. I am reminded of David's question of God, "Lord, what are human beings that you care for them, mere mortals that you think of them?" I know myself all too well, and I am a bit too honest with myself to know there is anything I would consider worthy of redeeming. And, yet, God does.
We read in Titus 3:4-5, "When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy." My passage this morning in 2 Timothy 1:9 says much the same thing. There really is no redeeming value to my life from my own actions, my own decisions, the things I say and do, the things I feel at times. And, yet, God loves me and has made a way for me into his family. He has done this for all of us. "Not because of anything we have done", "not because of righteous things we had done". No, not because of our loveliness, but because of his mercy, because of his incomprehensible love, because of "his own purpose and grace."
God's grace is expressed by giving us wonderful things we do not deserve. In God's love for us he provides us blessings I'm certain I do not even notice at times. God's grace flows from the sincere and overwhelming love he has for all people, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son..." John 3:16.
Here in this passage we read of something Paul refers to as God's "own purpose." God has his purposes and it is within the framework of his love for us he seeks to populate a family of his own out of us. He looks over all mankind and offers his invitation, his "call" to all who will embrace him in faith and trust. God is busy building his kingdom.
This agenda of God, to build his kingdom out of all who will respond to his offer, is what this life is all about. Our purpose for being here is to promote the human race, populating the earth with potential family members - those who become so by responding to God's invitation, the gospel. He asks us to participate with him in building his kingdom by sharing his message with others.
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
No comments:
Post a Comment