Ephesians 2:8-9 “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of GOD 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.”
HIS Intentional Grace!
If one doesn’t hear the SAVIOUR’s
voice, then whose directions
gain they?
“Off course”, of course, but what
if none gives any pause to those
steps found unGODly?
So we, as HIS lights, must be active
and vocal…to stand in their way
with the way to HIS cross!
For many are called to the
wedding but their choice of
attire isn’t right!
Consequently be wise to wear
HIS spotless robe…and leave
all of your work-clothes behind!
As HIServant reminded and reminding to only wear the spotless, GOD-given, “CHRIST-won at Calvary” robe to the wedding feast,
Whitney
Devotional: Romans 8:29-31 “…For those GOD foreknew, HE also predestined to be conformed to the image of HIS SON, so that HE would be the firstborn among many brothers.
30 And those HE predestined, He also called; those HE called, HE also justified; those HE justified, HE also glorified.”
31 What then shall we say in response to these things? If GOD is for us, who can be against us?…”
Many opinions exist on this verse. I want to narrow it down for us to view the landscape better.
The language in Romans points directly to a separate group instead of “all”.
In fact, if we go to the popular verse 28, “And we know that GOD works all things together for the good of those who love HIM, who are The Called according to HIS purpose.”
The Called in many translations is reduced to “who are called”.
Or they infer that because we love GOD enough, we are THEN chosen by HIM.
Such a position contradicts 1 John 4:19 “We love because HE FIRST loved us.”
Our love for HIM couldn’t have begun without HIM loving us first. So that switch over point to then being chosen…makes no sense.
Directly to this devotion, let’s look at the telltale sign of those welcomed at the wedding feast.
It’s those who DON’T come in their “my works-clothes”. It’s those who have surrendered at HIS cross, recognizing HE paid all, past, present and future Sin debts!
Just like Colossians 2:13 states in the ESV “And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, GOD made alive together with HIM, having forgiven us all our trespasses…”
The Living Translations once in a while helps out. “You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then GOD MADE you alive with CHRIST, for HE forgave all our sins.”
We always have our sin nature till we reach Glory. We’ll always be wearing our work clothes TILL then!
But! Not for entrance into Heaven but as the completion of the good works HE planned for us, HIS children, to do which blesses others and rewards us with joy and peace here.
Ephesians 2:10 speaks to this point. “For we are HIS workmanship, created in CHRIST JESUS for good works, which GOD prepared BEFOREHAND, that we should walk in them.”
As such, GOD planned a list of Good Works for each of us to do before Time itself…that we would walk in them. Amen?
HIS Intentional Grace was given to us at Calvary, without any presence or work of our own.
So leave your WORK CLOTHES behind because…as the old words still ring true, “You CAN’T take THEM with you”.
Amen and amen.
2CJC 