Thursday, May 19, 2011

Sharing Glory

DEVOTION
2 THESSALONIANS
SHARING GLORY
2 Thess 2:13-15
13 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14 He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
NIV
I knew it was from the beginning that God choose me to have salvation through Jesus Christ and that I would be sanctified or purified by the Holy Spirit. Not that he chose me, but that he choose the method by which I could be saved and set apart for him. It was the through the message of the good news that I came to the knowledge of his plan for me not having to perish but have everlasting life in his presence. I am always amazed that some people actually think they do not have a choice but that it is up to God to choose who is in and who is not. That just does not make any sense to me and my understanding of God. Now I am glad I am in and I am thankful that my family is in and I am thankful for so many people that I know and love, in a sense, are in. But I am also a little sad that some of the people I love have not yet made that choice. I do not think God has predetermined them to perish. He has sent his message to them. He has called to them through the gospel message. I know they have even read the bible and have heard the message from my lips as well. But they refuse to accept it as the truth. One in particular argues there are many paths to get to God. How wrong is that! It is as plan as the wrinkles in my face. God choose Jesus Christ as the method by which men may be saved. God choose the Holy Spirit to be the method by which men could be purified, set apart for him and his plan for them. I am dumbfounded by their hard lined refusal of that truth. Maybe it is because they know the truth and know it will expose the sin in their life and are afraid to face it or are unwilling to give it up. I do not know, but I do know I was not afraid but was glad to have that burdened lifted from me. To have to carry around the guilt of sin and the fear of death was way too much for me. I am so thankful I have been rendered innocent, freed from the guilt and I am so glad I no longer have to fear the end of my life here, but rather look forward with great anticipation of the day I will be able to see Jesus and share in his glory.

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