The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Corinthians 1:21-22,
"Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come."
What does Paul mean when he says God makes us "stand firm" in Christ? Permanence certainly is the thought that comes to my mind. Our salvation, as believers, is durable and stable. We can have our times when we disappoint God, ourselves and others but being indwelt with the Holy Spirit insures we don't wander so far afield that we no longer belong to his kingdom. Our salvation is ceaseless, endless, eternal, everlasting, perpetual, undying and unending!
In verse 18 Paul refers to God's faithfulness. In 1 Corinthians 1:9 Paul says, "God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." This he says following an amazing promise to us in the previous verse, "He [God] will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Our God is faithful! He has given us the Holy Spirit as a deposit to guarantee "what is to come." Our place in heaven, as a member of his family, is assured! Just as Jude's doxology promises, "To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen." Jude 24-25.
"Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come."
What does Paul mean when he says God makes us "stand firm" in Christ? Permanence certainly is the thought that comes to my mind. Our salvation, as believers, is durable and stable. We can have our times when we disappoint God, ourselves and others but being indwelt with the Holy Spirit insures we don't wander so far afield that we no longer belong to his kingdom. Our salvation is ceaseless, endless, eternal, everlasting, perpetual, undying and unending!
In verse 18 Paul refers to God's faithfulness. In 1 Corinthians 1:9 Paul says, "God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." This he says following an amazing promise to us in the previous verse, "He [God] will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Our God is faithful! He has given us the Holy Spirit as a deposit to guarantee "what is to come." Our place in heaven, as a member of his family, is assured! Just as Jude's doxology promises, "To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen." Jude 24-25.
This assurance we own right now, today! Our Creator guarantees it! We own it because he owns us!
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 reply and let me know.
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 reply and let me know.
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