Are You Building an Invisible Ladder?
(This isn’t mine but it’s pretty close!)
Father, thank You for the opportunity to interact with people from my churches. Sometimes it’s more difficult than other times, but seeds are planted when You are in charge. All praise to You!
Romans 9:15-16 (<<click here to read the passage)
For he says to Moses,
“I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,
….and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”
It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. NIV
Ladders are not my favorite things, but I must use them on occasion. And not just any ladder will do. One of my ladders was rejected by its owner. At least one of its steps has been replaced and it’s just a tad rickety but overall, it’s solid. Anytime I need to get up on our roof or clean out gutters it’s the one for me.
This particular ladder is constructed of wood and is held together with metal rods pulled tight by tightened nuts on each end of the rod. Like I said it’s solid. But what if I used twigs found in my yard, or straw from some local farmer’s field? What if I made one of marshmallows and toothpicks? Except for something decorative, those other means of constructing a ladder would be ludicrous in real life.
We touched on this topic a few days ago, but the Apostle Paul once again tells us that our salvation does not depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.
The notes from my Life Application Study Bible paint an excellent picture.
The fallacy of gaining salvation by human effort remains as strong as ever – people…imagine that their efforts are building an invisible ladder to heaven made of service, family, position, reputation, good work, and desire, although none of these rungs will support a feather. People are so busy trying to reach God that they completely miss the truth that God has already reached down to them. We cannot earn God’s mercy – if we could, it would not be mercy. (emphasis mine)
It simply cannot be stressed enough, when it comes to our relationships with God all we are called to do is to obey. No other act or “contribution” makes any difference.
Back in the book of Exodus, Moses asked to see God and interestingly enough, God agreed. It tells us in Exodus 33:19,
And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. NIV
It is solely up to God…and no one can argue with that.
July 6th, 2023, Thurs, 8:20 pm
Playing Favorites?
Though I was a little under the weather, I still was able to accomplish a fair amount today, Father. Thank You for Your support and encouragement.
Romans 9:10-14 (<<click here to read the passage)
To be totally honest, I sometimes struggle with favorites on my bus route. Some kids, for a multitude of reasons, just hit it off with me, and they probably get away with far more than they should. Other kids are very adept at breaking – not just bending the rules – and then it becomes an issue of boxing them into that mindset.
One child has been a handful for some time now, and I’ve had to consciously not think that they are up to no good at any point in the day, every day! I realize their home life is not the best and I also blatantly see that they desire friends, but their actions often alienate them from others.
I try to be fair but often it is just plain difficult to do so!
Aren’t we glad that God is not that way with us? He loves us for who we are and for who we can be. But the thing is He knows us through and through, and there are probably things in life that we experience – or don’t experience – because He knows who we are. My Life Application Study Bible states that God is sovereign; he is not arbitrary, that is He is not random, capricious, or illogical.
In today’s passage, the Apostle Paul speaks of Jacob and Esau. “…before they were born, before they had done anything good or bad” their mother, Rebekah, received a message from God. It sounds pretty harsh, and, from our limited human perspective, extremely unfair.
“The older (Esau) will serve the younger (Jacob).” As it is written and forever remains written, “Jacob I loved (chose, protected, blessed), but Esau I hated (held in disregard compared to Jacob).” v12-13 AMP
Just reading those words may get our dander up a bit!
One thing we must realize is that the loved and hated references are from the Old Testament book of Malachi and refers to the nations of Israel and Edom (Esau’s descendants) rather than to the individual brothers. God chose Jacob to continue the family line of the faithful because he knew his heart was for God. But he did not exclude Esau from knowing and loving him.
As we well know, God knows us. We are not cast in an unbreakable die. We can choose to follow God or not. In all things he works for our good; he is trustworthy; he will save all who believe in him. When we understand these qualities of God, we know that his choices are good even if we don’t understand all his reasons.
Lord Jesus, first help us to make the choice to follow You. And then secondly, help us to understand, even though it may be hard, to trust You in all things. Amen.
July 5th, 2023, Wed, 6:50 pm
We Are Freely Chosen
It is always a day of cherished moments to meet up with my parents and my sister. Father, thank You for the blessing they are to me. Help me to cherish the moments we have together. Amen.
Romans 9:6-12 (<<click here to read the passage)
Part of our makeup as human beings is pride. Some have it in great abundance while others have seemingly microscopic amounts in what makes up who they are. My sermon this coming Sunday is opening with thoughts of pride and humility. I’ve not gotten very far, but as I sit to write I cannot help but see how we find our standing before God.
I’ve mentioned before that I am a third-generation pastor. My father and both of my grandfathers served faithfully as God led them, impacting the lives of many. That’s very cool (at least to me!) but is that why God chose me – because of my personal heritage? No, it has absolutely nothing to do with that. God chose me because He alone is free to do so.
Does God choose us because of the good deeds we can perform…all the giving of time, effort, resources, energies, and efforts? No, it has no effect whatsoever.
It’s shocking to hear but the Prophet Isaiah wrote as directed by the Lord,
We are all infected and impure with sin.
….When we display our righteous deeds,
….they are nothing but filthy rags. Isaiah 64:6a NLT
…God does not choose us because of our filthy rages…
As Paul continues to write in today’s passage, he refers to the great pride the Jews took in being descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But he pointed out that Jacob and his twin brother, Esau (Jacob’s sons)…
…were not yet born and had not done anything either good or bad, so that God’s purpose [His choice, His election] would stand, not because of works [done by either child], but because of [the plan of] Him who calls them, it was said to her, “The older (Esau) will serve the younger (Jacob).” v11-12
Paul asserts that no one can claim to be chosen by God because of his or her heritage or good deeds. God freely chooses to save whomever he will…it is God’s sovereign choice to save us by his goodness and mercy, not by our own merit.*
In Ephesians 2:9, Paul wrote,
Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. NLT
We all stand on level ground. God chooses us for who we are and there’s nothing we can do or be to earn it. Drop all pretense of pride and humbly accept the salvation He so freely extends to us. Amen.
*New Living Translation Life Application Study Bible
July 4th, 2023, Tues, 7:47 pm
Live Like Who You Are
A blessed sweet time spent with Karen! Thank You, Father, for the gift of her in my life! I could not have a better helpmate and companion to love and be loved by. All praise to You!
Romans 9:4-5 (<<click here to read the passage)
I wrote of adoption back in 2016 (Adopted into the Family << click to read) but I feel that it’s important to go a little deeper into what the Apostle Paul meant when he wrote this epistle (letter) to the church in Rome.
In this particular passage, he is speaking of his Jewish brothers and sisters stating that they…
…are the people of Israel, chosen to be God’s adopted children. God revealed his glory to them. He made covenants with them and gave them his law. He gave them the privilege of worshiping him and receiving his wonderful promises. v4 NLT
But as he makes clear multiple times in his writings, Paul points out that all who accept Jesus’ gift of salvation are adopted into God’s family, as well.
Doing a little online research, I came across an article on Tabletalk, an online affiliate of Ligonier Ministries, founded by R.C. Sproul, whom I have referred to before. Here is a portion of the article entitled – Adoption in the Roman World (<<click to read).
For Paul to declare that those who were once slaves to sin were adopted was an influential message. The slave metaphor was personal to many. Furthermore, when a person was adopted, a change in commitment was expected. It was the norm to carry the name, estate, and religious rites of the adoptive family. It was a new lineage. The notion that they had been brought into the household of God through adoption was transformative. They were not simply freed slaves who were often considered only slightly better than slaves who were still in bondage. Even a manumitted [freed] slave who amassed wealth still faced class restrictions. So, when Paul states that the Christians were not simply freed but adopted, they understood that they had received greater privileges.
Reading through what Paul wrote regarding his own people shows that status of adoption.
-
- chosen to be God’s adopted children
- God revealed his glory to them
- He made covenants with them
- …and gave them his law.
- He gave them the privilege of worshiping him
- …and receiving his wonderful promises.
They [and we!] were [are] not in servitude toward God. They [and we!] were [are] not His employees. The marvel of biblical adoption is that [they and] we are given the status of children with all its rights and privileges.
Stand tall and unashamed! May we live like who we are – God’s children!
July 3rd, 2023, Mon, 9:17 pm
No Greater Love
What a day, Father! Introducing myself to a third congregation on top of the two I have been serving was a joy. May Your hand be upon us as we move forward. Use us all to impact the world around us! Amen.
********
Life has been overwhelming for the last several weeks and many of you have probably noticed that I have reshared several posts from years gone by. I was in a wonderful spot then and life has changed so much in the intervening years. I know what I shared then was solid. It was meaty and I hope my readers benefited from them, but it is time to get back in the saddle, if you will.
Romans 9:1-3 (<<click here to read the passage)
I have a great respect for those who serve in law enforcement, as firefighters, and in all branches of the military. Each of those areas has built-in risk factors. As they bid farewell to their loved ones, there is always that distinct possibility that they may not see each other on this side of eternity again. The jobs they do include a great chance that in saving the lives of others, they might forfeit their own.
As I read today’s passage, I couldn’t help but think of Jesus’ statement as recorded in John 15:12-13.
This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
He feels so strongly about it that He reiterates it once more just a few sentences later – This is my command: Love each other. v17 NLT
Of course, we cannot help but notice that he spoke much more than empty words that day. It was just a matter of time before He did just that, He laid down His life for us all…
The Apostle Paul was so concerned about his Jewish brothers and sisters that, as he said, his “heart was filled with bitter sorrow and unending grief” because they would not accept Jesus as the long-hoped-for Messiah. He felt so strongly about it that he proclaimed, “I would be willing to be forever cursed—cut off from Christ! – if that would save them.” Romans 9:3 NLT
Of course, only Jesus could save them – and he knew that – but you can clearly see his heart. He was a living example of Jesus’ command for us to love others as He loved us – there was no greater love to be found.
So, how do we feel about those who have yet to come to a saving knowledge of Christ? Do we feel strongly enough to do something about it? Or are we content to let things be as they will be?
My Life Application Bible asks a very poignant question that we each must answer. “Are you willing to sacrifice your time, money, energy, comfort, and safety to see them come to faith in Jesus?”
Lord Jesus, may we love each other as You loved us…whatever it takes. Amen.
July 2nd, 2023, Sun, 8:18 pm