Yeshua told his followers, you did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go forth and bear fruit... (John 15:16). Religious pride secretly recoils at these words, thinking, I dont want to be chosen by God; I want to be in control; I want to choose God first. The ego seeks some reason for revelation, some merit that commends the self to God. Its hidden assumption is, thank you God, that I am not like other men. Grace is scandalous because it is based on Gods will, not our own. We were spiritually reborn, not as the result of anything in the realm of nature, nor even through our personal decision, but solely on account of Gods sovereign prerogative (John 1:13). It is easy enough to fool yourself, to think that God needs you to do his will, or that you somehow have something to offer heaven by your service, though it is idolatrous to elevate yourself this way. Not by might, but by my spirit, says the LORD of Hosts. We dont seek to please God so that we can be chosen; we are chosen so that we can please him... Gods love for us is always the starting point: Lord, teach us to pray, that is, choose the words for us, the inner groaning of your Spirit, in accordance with your perfect will. ~H4C~
Posted on: Fri, 01 Nov 2013 02:54:18 +0000
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