Having discussed the Bible doctrine of Election,
it may be time to discuss just why one is "Elected,
Chosen, Predestined" by our Lord and what it can
mean in a practical sense. As we study the Word,
the question arises; how does it change the life of
those who are "Chosen?"
It may be understood in more than one area of
life, but we will zero in on the initial life changing
work of the Word of God on the individual. When
Jesus Christ takes up His residence in you or me,
there is a confident expectation of eternal good to
come, "hope. We also find a resource enabling us
to deal with whatever may come into our lives, be
it good, bad or indifferent. We are also given the
source and confidence to communicate that faith
to those without the Kingdom of God, as were we.
Our source is the Spirit of Jesus Christ as we study
and apply Biblical principles and walk with Him.
Our confidence is not in ourselves, but is in the
Christ in whom is our faith, and His Word, the Bible.
13. "But now in Christ Jesus you, who once were far
off (Gentiles) have been brought near by the blood
of Jesus Christ.
14.For He Himself is our peace, who has made both
one, and has broken down the middle wall of sepa-
ration,
15. having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is,
the law of commandments contained in ordinances,
so as to create in Himself one new man from the
two, thus making peace." Ephesians 2: 13-15.
Is this Scripture showing God as one who deals
with the Jew and Gentile alike? Am I to understand
He does not change, nor has He ever dealt with His
followers otherwise? Details change, but the over
arching principles of Life, Righteousness, personal
purity and obedience to our Lord are not debatable.
When one receives the Christ of Scripture, making
him guide of life and promise of eternal life/joy with
our Lord, every detail is reconciled, in Him.
We are no longer under the ceremonial law of the
Old Testament (covenant) and since no one, but our
Lord ever kept even the moral law perfectly, we are
not expected to keep it. He kept the law in our stead.
His righteous life is credited to us as though we had
kept his Word/Law. Does this make the Law of God
of no effect? God Forbid...The Law is not annulled
and those who have not placed their faith, their life,
in the capable hands of Jesus Christ are still under
the penalty as law breakers and are separated from
God. There are also principles of right and wrong
covered as law,statute, precept and command in the
Scripture. Each of us will be held accountable to
our Lord at the Judgement seat of Christ,sometimes
call "Bema." There will be rewards for those, who
followed Christ in this, and loss; even for those who
are "Christian," that missed the mark and brought a
reproach upon the name of Christ. (There could be
no authoritative understanding of "right and wrong"
outside "Scripture.")
16."and that He might reconcile them both to God in
one body through the cross, thereby putting to death
the enmity,
17.And He came and preached peace to you who
were afar off and to those who were near.
18.For through Him we both have access by one
Spirit to the Father." Ephesians 2: 16-18
This reconciliation or making of one the Jew and
the gentile, resulted in a new way of looking at the
Law of God. (Commandments) From here we move
to what is expected of one who is a follower of Jesus
Christ and find little difference in that expected of a
follower of Jehovah according to the Law of Moses.
"For there is no partiality with God.
For as many as have sinned without the law will
also perish without law, and as many as have sinned
in the law will be judged by the law..." Eph.2:11-12
"...Therefore, if an uncircumcised man keeps the
righteous requirements of the law, will not his uncir-
cumcision be counted as circumcision?
And will not the physically uncircumcised, if he
fulfills the law, judge you who, even with your writ-
ten code and circumcision, are a transgressor of
the Law? (KJV reads...by the letter...)
"For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is
circumcision that which is outward, in the flesh,
but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circum-
cision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the
letter; whose praise is not from men but from God."
Romans 2: 26-29
Look to the Ten Commandments in Exodus and
learn how to live successfully as a follower of our
Lord, Jesus Christ:
"Honour thy father and thy mother.
Thou shalt not kill.
Thou shall not commit adultery.
Thou shalt not steal.
Thou shalt not bear false witness against
thy neighbor.
Thou shalt not covet.. If you keep these
six commandments you will do well. The
first three have to do with our personal
relationship with the God of the Bible and
are very clear. The fourth is addressed in
the links below;
http://biblicalclarity-don.blogspot.com/2013/01/there-remains-rest.html
http://biblicalclarity-don.blogspot.com/2013/12/law-or-grace-cant-have-both.html
http://biblicalclarity-don.blogspot.com/2014/07/thou-shalt-not-take-name-of-lord-thy.html
The outward trappings of faith are not the basis
our Lord uses when relating to His children. He
looks on the heart, and only His blood, shed for
"the remission of sin," can cleanse that.
"For this is my blood of the new testament,
which is shed for many for the remission of
sins. Matthew 26:28, "Then Peter said unto
them, 'Repent, and be baptized, every one
of you for the remission of sins, and ye shall
receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." Acts 2:38
Thanks for looking and may the Lord God bless
you as you walk with Him as He bears, in you, the
"Fruit of the Spirit."
See Galatians 5: 19-25.. donporter 3.05.14 edited 1.25.15
http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/news/policy/wess2012.html
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