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 2:10,
"Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory."
Paul said he endured "everything" for the sake of the "elect". What was it Paul endured and who is this group of folks called "the elect"?
Paul spoke of his suffering due to his faithfulness in carrying out his responsibilities as an apostle. The work of evangelizing and establishing fellowships was fraught with opposition and dangers due to the nature of challenging the existing power structures and faulty beliefs of the day. He said to Timothy, "This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal." Verses 8-9. A more full list of challenges that caused Paul suffering can be found in 2 Corinthians 11:23-33.
Who is "the elect", that group of people for whose sake Paul was willing to endure this suffering? "The elect", of course refers to chosen ones, in this case, God's chosen ones. The Scriptures speak of God's activity in the world today to build his kingdom. As Jesus proclaimed, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.", Matthew 4:17. God's kingdom, his family, will be built of those who take a new direction (repent) in their lives.
Paul devotes much of his letter to the church at Rome to speak of those whom God has chosen. God has chosen all who will embrace him in faith. He uses Abraham as our example, as he reminds his readers of Genesis 15:6, "What does Scripture say? 'Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.'" Romans 4:3. Paul goes on to say, "To the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness." Romans 4:5. Also, "Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace..." Verse 16.
In Romans 10:17 Paul tells us that it is through the proclamation of the gospel that the opportunity for faith presents itself, "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ." There is no other way but the way of faith. Even attempts at keeping the ten commands and other laws God has given will not result in being chosen by God for salvation. In Romans 3:28 we read, "For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law."
"Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory."
Paul said he endured "everything" for the sake of the "elect". What was it Paul endured and who is this group of folks called "the elect"?
Paul spoke of his suffering due to his faithfulness in carrying out his responsibilities as an apostle. The work of evangelizing and establishing fellowships was fraught with opposition and dangers due to the nature of challenging the existing power structures and faulty beliefs of the day. He said to Timothy, "This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal." Verses 8-9. A more full list of challenges that caused Paul suffering can be found in 2 Corinthians 11:23-33.
Who is "the elect", that group of people for whose sake Paul was willing to endure this suffering? "The elect", of course refers to chosen ones, in this case, God's chosen ones. The Scriptures speak of God's activity in the world today to build his kingdom. As Jesus proclaimed, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.", Matthew 4:17. God's kingdom, his family, will be built of those who take a new direction (repent) in their lives.
Paul devotes much of his letter to the church at Rome to speak of those whom God has chosen. God has chosen all who will embrace him in faith. He uses Abraham as our example, as he reminds his readers of Genesis 15:6, "What does Scripture say? 'Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.'" Romans 4:3. Paul goes on to say, "To the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness." Romans 4:5. Also, "Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace..." Verse 16.
In Romans 10:17 Paul tells us that it is through the proclamation of the gospel that the opportunity for faith presents itself, "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ." There is no other way but the way of faith. Even attempts at keeping the ten commands and other laws God has given will not result in being chosen by God for salvation. In Romans 3:28 we read, "For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law."
God is busy populating his kingdom, his family, in this age. There will be a time when he determines his family is full and will bring this age to a close. All those who choose God will be chosen by God. All who embrace God in faith will become a member of God's "elect''.
Don't believe anyone who tells you we have no opportunity to determine our spiritual destiny. God has not pre-selected some for himself, and pre-selected others to condemn to hell. God has made man with individual volition, and he has decided, he has "elected", all who choose or "elect" him!
This is why we say that God's salvation is the ultimate expression of love and grace. If any one of us decides we want God, if we choose him, God will embrace us with open arms.
How wonderful is that?
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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