2 Children of the Father
How did you become a Christian? From a human point of view, it is as though we chose to believe; we said 'yes' to God's invitation. But Paul would have us consider the other side of the coin:
God chose us in him (in Jesus) before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love, he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.
Ephesians 1: 4, 5 [NIV]
As far as Paul is concerned, God chose us. The fact that you are a Christian is no accident. God took the initiative long before you were born and made you his child. We can claim no part in our salvation. God himself gave us the ability to say 'yes' to his invitation.
Jesus said a similar thing to his disciples. Reclining round the table at the last supper, he said,
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last. John 15: 16 [NIV]
The Father chose us not because we were holy and blameless, but to become holy and blameless. The word 'blameless' means 'unblemished'. We are not there yet but, with the help of his Spirit, we should be always moving in that direction.
John Newton, the author of Amazing Grace wrote:
"I am not what I ought to be; I am not what one day I hope to be; but, praise God, I am not what I used to be. And I am, what I am, by the grace of God."
Dear Father, thank you for the blessing of being your child. Help me today to become more like Jesus, and to please you more and more. Amen.
David Long | |
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