Devotion for 4 June 2011 Anno Domini

Devotion for 4 June 2011 Anno Domini
“13But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.” (2 Thess 2:13-17)
“But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.” When did God choose you? He tells us we were chosen “from the beginning’ and God cannot lie! Was the beginning the time of your birth? No, for there are beginnings that predate your birth. Was it the beginning of the Gospel Age? No, for there are beginnings which predate the Coming of Christ in human form. Perhaps, you may say, it was the beginning of the world. No, the beginning occurred in Eternity Past when there was no Sun, Moon, Stars, or world upon which for men to live. How profound is this truth! Moreover, Christ says that we could not have chosen Him without His first choosing us. “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you.” (John 15:16). Another verse reveals even more light on our election in Christ: “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.” (Eph 1:4-5). How can this be if we retain a free will to accept or reject? Dr. Donald Grey Barnhouse provides an excellent illustration: “The famous American Bible teacher Donald Grey Barnhouse (1895–1960) often used an illustration to help people make sense of election. He asked them to imagine a cross like the one on which Jesus died, only so large that it had a door in it. Over the door were these words from Revelation: “Whosoever will may come.” These words represent the free and universal offer of the gospel. By God’s grace, the message of salvation is for everyone. Every man, woman, and child who will come to the cross is invited to believe in Jesus Christ and enter eternal life.
“On the other side of the door a happy surprise awaits the one who believes and enters. From the inside, anyone glancing back can see these words from Ephesians written above the door: “Chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world.” Election is best understood in hindsight, for it is only after coming to Christ that one can know whether one has been chosen in Christ. Those who make a decision for Christ find that God made a decision for them in eternity past.”
“Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Which Gospel? The Gospel of Jesus Christ and preached with fervor by the Apostles themselves. This is the true Gospel which must be preached by all who are of the apostolic faith, else they are not. If any bring a contrary Gospel to that preached by the Apostles, believe him not. “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” ( Gal 1:6-8) One only needs to turn through the channels of his home TV in order hear gospels being preached which resemble in no way the Gospel of Christ. There is always an appeal to a “new word” from God, or a different and perverted means of worship which demeans reverence owed the Sovereign Lord.
“Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.” Do not be blown about by every wind of doctrine and every ridiculous invention of some clerical charlatan’s imagination. Standby the Ancient Landmark and Old Paths wherein our blessed fathers walked in obedience to the Word. The counsel to stand fast implies that the enemy is moving against us. A good soldier will stand fast and not tremble or retreat. Hold the line! Do not be deceived by the smooth and deceitful words of the enemy or his maneuver deployments to your front. Your orders are published and made available between the covers of your Bible!
“Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace…” Christ sent no proxy to do His suffering and shame. As a Good Shepherd and Bishop of our souls, He came and did the Atoning Work Himself with the complete complicity of the Father. Remember the words that Father Abraham spoke to his beloved Isaac when he asked: “Father, where is the lamb for the offering?” to which Father Abraham replied: “My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.” (Gen 22:8). The Received Text does not read, “God will provide a lamb himself.” The sentence structure is key in understanding the beauty and truth of the KJV wording which is very unlike the cheapened and copyrighted wording of the new (per)versions. What will God provide? Himself! As what? A Lamb! And God truly did provide Himself (the Lord Jesus Christ) to be the Lamb. And this act of grace and generosity came as a Gift and not as any reward for any of our soiled and ragged works of presumed merit.
“Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.” It is a comfort to know that we are chosen of God, and a greater comfort to know that we could not deserve it. We are established by Grace unto good works, not established by good works unto Grace!