Salvation According to His Purpose (2 Tim. 1:9)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 7-16-02

 

My Worship Time                                                      Focus:  Salvation According to His Purpose

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference:  2Timothy 1:9

 

            Message of the verse:  “9  Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity.”  What a wonderful verse this is, as it is packed full of brilliant truths.  All believers are called with a “holy calling.”  The calling that Paul is speaking of here is God’s “effectual call of the elect to salvation.”  This is not a general call to sinners.  Paul goes on to say that this is not according to our works, but according to His own propose and grace.  The work of salvation and the calling of sinners to this salvation is all done by God, and is of God’s grace, not any work that a person can do.  (See Eph. 2:8,9.) “ Grace is also the basis for God’s sustaining work in believers.”  (See Phil. 1:6, & Jude 24,25.)  Paul says all of this was possible because we are in Christ Jesus.  He is the one who mad salvation possible for us by His work on the cross.  Paul says that all of this was done “according to His purpose.”  God dose all things according to His purpose, and I am thankful that He has included me in salvation, for that too was of the purpose of God.  Sanctification in my life is also done according to the purpose of God.  Paul ends the verse by saying all of this was settled in eternity past, “before time began.”  (See John 17:24.)

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  As I think of the phrase in this verse, “according to His purpose,” I cannot help but think that my life and the things that have happened, and will happen, happen because it is for the purpose of God.  I know that I am only one believer and that there is a big world out their and that it too has all things done to it by for the purpose of God.  Now I know that faith has a major part in this process as far as me accepting this truth, for I would not choose some of the thing that have happened to me to happen, however as I look at it through the eyes of faith I can say that they were done according to the purpose of God.  I can also be assured that the purposes of God are for my ultimate good. I know it doe not always seem so, but God make NO mistakes, it is impossible for Him to do so.

The Word of God enlightened me today, and it fulfilled a need in my heart.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  Even though I had a problem yesterday in controlling my bowels, I must determine that God has a purpose in all of this, and will work this out for my good.  (Romans 8:28.)

 

Memory verses for the week:  Romans 5:20,21 & 1Timothy 6:6-8

Moreover the law entered that the offence might abound.  But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Now godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we carry nothing out.  And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.