THE DETERMINED OBJECTIVE OF SALVATION -- Tomorrow:
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us." (Romans 8:28-34, NKJV)
Devotion 22 of 33
"Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called . . . "
These occasions did not happen by mere chance. They were Divinely orchestrated! A holy angel directed Philip to go to the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26). The Lord Himself appeared to Paul, directing him to remain in Corinth (Acts 18:9). An angel of God appeared to Cornelius, preparing him for the Gospel, and instructing him what to do (Acts 10:3). A vision and voice "from heaven" informed Peter of his role in Cornelius hearing the Gospel (Acts 10:11-16). Lydia, the Philippian jailor, and those with them, heard the Gospel because of a vision Paul had in which "There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us" (Acts 16:9). As for Saul of Tarsus, he heard what he was to do because the glorified Christ Himself appeared to him saying, "Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do" (Acts 9:6).
When you view salvation from the perspective of the day of judgment, it will be easy to loudly confess, "those He predestined, He also called" (NIV). He has provided us the details of particular conversions to assure us of this. If we are unable to see the particulars of our own calling, we are still to believe it was not the result of mere chance. Nothing in Scripture will lead a person to such a conclusion. We must be sure we do not allow man-made theology to do so.'
AN INSIDE VIEW
What we are reading is an inside view of salvation. It is not intended to be declared to the lost, providing them with an excuse for not seeking the Lord. This word is meant to comfort the people of God, assuring them He will complete the work He has started in them.
Jesus offered a word of explanation concerning the reception of His word by some, while others failed to receive it. "He who is of God hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God" (John 8:47). When reading this, keep in mind, "The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them" (Prov 20:12). Particularly when contemplating responding to the Gospel call, it is God "that planted the ear" (Psa 94:9). There are those who DO have "ears to hear" (Matt 11:15). Those who lack such ears do so because "the LORD hath not given [them] an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear" (Deut 29:4). That explanation is revealed and should be accepted without the slightest reservation.
Those "with ears to hear" have NOT escaped the attention of God. Whether they are in a lonely desert, by a river, or in an idolatrous Grecian city, "whom He did predestinate, them He also called." He will appeal to their volition and to their will! He will see to it that the Gospel gets to them just as surely as it did to you!
NOT INTENDED TO MAKE US SLOTHFUL
God forbid that any should conclude that this circumstance justifies a slothful stance in regard to preaching the Gospel "to every creature." Rather, as we walk by faith and lean not to our own understanding, the Lord will direct our path (Prov 3:5-6) into productive service.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank you that the Kingdom belongs to You, and that You are governing it down to the finest detail in Christ Jesus.