A Familiar Word
Grace Thru Faith- study [13]
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How wonderful to know that the Love of God is towards us – in Christ Jesus,
How comforting to know that we are Accepted by God – because of His Beloved Son,
How precious to know that we have peace WITH God – and the Peace OF God.
But is has NOTHING to do with US,
And EVERYTHING to do with Christ Jesus.
I sometimes think we’ve missed the enormity and privilege of our saved status,
I sometimes think we don’t appreciate the honor our heavenly position grants us,
- when from eternity past God looked down and saw our foul, fallen state…
- a God-rejecting, rebellions sinful race – bedecked with a necklace of pride.
But God commendeth his love toward us,
in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Rom.5:8
And He, in an inconceivable act, chose to give His dearly Beloved Son –to save us,
- before the world was made – in the unimaginable realm of His TriUnity of Love..
- before the race was created – in the indescribable sphere of His Gracious Wisdom..
God planned to give His perfect Son – so that imperfect man could be eternally saved.
Once He set His heart on redemption, it exploded into myriads of additional Grace:
Love; Joy; Peace; Long-suffering; Kindness;
Goodness; Faithfulness; Gentleness; Self-Control… Gal.5:22
And He scripted it in advance in His Holy Word for our learning and understanding,
And chose us to sit with Him on His throne and to be garmented with Righteousness.
But too often the familiar WORD does not permeate our outer shell of independence,
- and too frequently the well-rehearsed STORY becomes routine religious reading.
And inevitably we are dispassionate of the enormity of our saved status;
- and sadly we become indifferent to our privileged heavenly position;
- and like the Israelites we also start to murmur with dissatisfaction of our lot..
Almost dismissive of the great price that our Salvation and Acceptance cost Him.
Too often we also fluctuate between two extremes – mountain-tops or deep valleys.
One day we REJOICE in our Salvation – but the next we QUESTION our Acceptance,
One night we BATHE in His Presence – but the next we DESPAIR of His Love.
And day after week after year, we can ping-pong between two opinions.
God loves me : God loves me not.
God accepts me : God accepts me not.
In the church age we have some different ‘rules’ to live by from other servants;
Unlike Israel who require a sign – the Church is to live by faith and not by sight.
We do not SEE a pillar of fire to guide us in the night seasons of our lives;
We do not SEE dry paths made through the troubled waters of our earthly trek;
We do not SEE mountainous walls tumble at the sound of our trumpet blast.
But we have the WORD of God –
And we have the completed Canon of Scripture
And guess what…
God has magnified His WORD above His Holy Name. Psalm 138:2
But too often the familiar WORD does not permeate our outer shell of independence,
- and too frequently the well-rehearsed STORY become routine, religious reading.
And inevitably we are dispassionate of the enormity of our saved status,
And sadly we become indifferent to our privileged heavenly position,
And like the Israelites we start to murmur with dissatisfaction of our lot.
Too often we dismiss that great Truth that we Are Accepted By God- IN CHRIST;
- and the old adage “familiarity breeds contempt,” is proved to be all too true…
Never let us become so ‘familiar’ with God’s Word…
- that we treat His Love and Grace and our Position in Christ lightly.
May He open the eyes of our hearts with a fresh understanding..
- of what it truly means to be Accepted in the Beloved Son of His Love
We are clearly told that without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God: Heb:11.6
And Faith is firmly fixed attitude:
- an attitude that is firmly fixed on Trusting His Living Word,
- a trust that accepts WHAT He writes in His Written Word,
That by His GRACE, He made us ACCEPTED in the Beloved.
That means that despite EVERYTHING – God accepts ME…because of Jesus,
And if circumstances scream the opposite – God accepts ME…because of Jesus,
And if it is good enough for GOD…
- then its good enough for me…
- and good enough for you.
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Elizabeth Haworth
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Today's Devotionals
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Knowing Jesus Devotional: Labor PainDaily Light: June 19My Utmost: Service Of Passionate DevotionOpen Windows: Perfected Through Suffering
