S: So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.
Romans 9:16
O: There was a time when I didn't believe in predestination (from the Calvinistic perspective-double predestination) because I didn't want to believe that people were chosen to be saved whilst others were left to be condemned. However, I understand the flaw in that view-that we all deserve to be condemned and that every Christian, no matter how kind or good-is only saved by the fact that God chose them to be saved-to demonstrate His loving kindness and mercy. Those who are condemned are to demonstrate His justice.
With that in mind, it is unbelievable how I am saved-my gratefulness towards God grows greater and greater because I am an object of mercy...I could have tried with all of might, but I would never have ran towards God if it had not been for the fact that He actively came into my life-it was never my own doing or my own merit that saved me.
This verse speaks volumes to me about God's mercy-it drenches me in God's love and the only thing I can think about is yet again the cross. No man could have done what Christ did, and it was the only hope man had, and despite the overwhelming fact that we deserved nothing but punishment, God willingly gave.
A: In serving, prayer, praise, life, whatever it may be-I cannot rely upon my own strength, ever. I may will for something to happen and I may press on towards it, but if the Lord is not with me, nothing will happen. All things fall upon God's will and I know everything that happens in my life is due to His mercy-what he allows and what he doesn't. Therefore, I must set upon God-revering only Him.
Asking for the Holy Spirit to come help us in leading worship? Mercy. Striving for a greater intimacy with God? Mercy. Fruitful ministry? Mercy. College acceptances? Mercy. Whatever happens, I will strive for His will-and when the time comes that I conform my will to His, it would be upon...His mercy. I suppose by pastor Chin's definition of mercy, it could sound wrong-mercy being something like withholding punishment when I deserve it, while grace is a gift given that which I do not deserve. God's mercy and grace is well-connected, as with the rest of His character. But, I see it as such-I don't deserve the privilege of serving, intimacy with God, or seeing His kingdom reign. I only deserve Hell, but yet He gives me the gift of salvation-along with all such privileges.
P: Lord I pray that all my dependence would be upon you. My faith would lie solely upon the Rock-for you are my shelter, the very salvation given to me. How precious is it, that within salvation, I am not only set to follow You or Your commands-but also to love and enjoy You as You are. Thank You for Your mercy-it was by Your hand that I was saved. Teach me not to have confidence in only myself. But, rather, teach me to have a greater confidence in You, who is infinitely greater, wiser, and more faithful than all the great Christians that I admire. For I know that You do not fail and neither does Your Word-I pray You and this Word would be close to my heart-and I approach this week knowing that it runs upon You ! Thank You for this life that I do not call my own...it is worth it. In Christ, amen.
Soli Deo Gloria
No comments:
Post a Comment