God's Promise, Purpose and Justice for All (pt. 3)

Paul cites three Old Testament scripture (Hosea 2:23; Isaiah 10:22-23; Isaiah 1:9) in this section to make his point more clear of the promises God has made to the world. One important promise God has made is conjoining the Gentiles and Israelite's as one body into the kingdom of heaven to share in the glory and riches of the Lord. To remind the Jews that God has mercy on whom He chooses especially to those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.

God is inclusive to all but know that only some will make the decision to receive Him and His son Jesus Christ. Through our relationship with Jesus, God wants to build in us a foundation of hope and a clear path to salvation. This path includes our residence in heaven. It is through the reading and studying of scripture our guidance becomes much clearer. The instructions that God gives to us become more entrenched in the way we think and the way we live. We have the responsibility to receive Christ and allow the Holy Spirit to guide us.

Some people want to believe that God’s promises hold true even in our darkest moments of intentional sin. It is true that God has mercy on us even when we commit intentional sin but we should understand that God has grace and mercy on whom He decides but most assuredly always includes His discipline (Psalm 89:30-34). The discipline we receive is at the discretion of God and God alone. We do not have the power to administer God’s discipline to ourselves or anyone. This is God’s role as the creator and rest assured He has already given authority to His son to discipline and judge in the last days.

God’s ultimate decision to bless both Jews and Gentiles has been in His plan since before time. God knows what it will take for each one of us to turn towards Him. His grace, mercy and compassion is never ending. People want to believe that God is unfair and unjust. These people are misguided and do not have a thorough understanding of who God is. They lack the understanding of the sacrifice His son made for our salvation and what it means for all of humanity. How God has paved the way for you and I to receive Christ and follow Christ into the kingdom of heaven. This misunderstanding has detrimental effects for everyone who rejects God and what promises He has made and kept, the role Jesus has been given by God and how the Holy Spirit is integral in our lives. The Triune God will live within us, guide us, protect us and most importantly grow our faith to leading a God honoring, spirit filled life.

Without God in our lives we take on the behaviors and beliefs the world is promoting. These behaviors and beliefs include an attitude of selfish motivations only caring about what impacts you and your life. Possessing a belief system that excludes God completely or at a minimum only includes God when you are in excruciating circumstances. The world wants you to believe it is the whole that matters but in reality there are the select few who yield the perceived power. If you understand that the domain of the world is owned by Satan, you will quickly see that in this domain you have even less control and power. Why? Because Satan is the chief liar! He wants you to believe you are in control and have power to control your own destiny and that you are the only one who matters. We have seen this story many times over many generations. These are the tactics that Satan uses to deceive, distract, confuse and separate you from the relationship God wants to have with you.

With God we understand the importance of propagating His love, His grace and His mercy. Through Jesus we find peace, hope and security in knowing we will live for eternity. It is through hope that we can share the word of God and that we can also share the Love of God. These are gifts from God and are given freely to those who are freed from the world’s belief system.

There are clear biblical instructions that we must follow being a Christian in today’s environment. Being a Christian is not in title only or a philosophy. It is a change in our beliefs and the way we conduct ourselves, the way we speak and who we reverence. Being a Christian is transformative both in life style and character and should be approached with a welcomed attitude to change the environment we are in. To live the life that God has planned for us knowing that every step we take with Christ is one step closer to the Kingdom of Heaven.

My prayer is that we recognize the opportunity we have to share the love of God with all who have ears to hear and a mind to understand your precepts and instructions. I pray that every heart will turn towards you and that lives will change to live for you and you alone. Jesus we need you now more than ever in our lives, we need you guidance, your strength and especially your love to carry us through our darkest days. Encourage us as we take that step of faith every day and remind us of who we are in You but more importantly who You are in us. I pray that we will never lose sight of the gift that You have given us and the sacrifice Jesus made to pave the way for our salvation. In the Mighty Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray this Amen! Amen!