Reverence and Awe

» Today's reading at Blue Letter Bible

I pray that this morning's devotion will always bring a smile to our faces and sweet joy to our souls. I pray that we will never read of our redemption by the sufficient blood of Christ and not be moved to praise His name!

None but Jesus can give deliverance to captives. Real liberty cometh from Him only. It is a liberty righteously bestowed; for the Son, who is Heir of all things, has a right to make men free. The saints honour the justice of God, which now secures their salvation. It is a liberty which has been dearly purchased. Christ speaks it by His power, but He bought it by His blood. He makes thee free, but it is by His own bonds.

We are free in spite of us... certainly not because of us. We are purchased, bought at a price... the cost for us to go free was the shed blood of the perfect Lamb of God.

Jesus asks nothing of us as a preparation for this liberty. He finds us sitting in sackcloth and ashes, and bids us put on the beautiful array of freedom; He saves us just as we are, and all without our help or merit.

Even more, we can rest this morning that the grace that saved us is the grace that sustains us and will ultimately be the grace that glorifies us and allows us to spend an eternity magnifying the glorious riches of the God of Grace!

When Jesus sets free, the liberty is perpetually entailed; no chains can bind again. Let the Master say to me, "Captive, I have delivered thee," and it is done for ever. Satan may plot to enslave us, but if the Lord be on our side, whom shall we fear? The world, with its temptations, may seek to ensnare us, but mightier is He who is for us than all they who be against us.

In his typical short but sweet manner... this evening Spurgeon makes some good points in regards to the doctrine of election and the un-biblical notion that it is somehow unfair.

Men by their sins have forfeited all claim upon God; they deserve to perish for their sins—and if they all do so, they have no ground for complaint. If the Lord steps in to save any, He may do so if the ends of justice are not thwarted; but if He judges it best to leave the condemned to suffer the righteous sentence, none may arraign Him at their bar.

I rejoice this evening because of the grace portrayed and magnified in the doctrine of election!! I don't believe I'll ever unfold all of it's greatness. One thing is sure... the understanding of election must be followed by humble worship. There is no other response worthy of a God who says, "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy...".

How shall those who are the subjects of divine election sufficiently adore the grace of God? They have no room for boasting, for sovereignty most effectually excludes it. The Lord's will alone is glorified, and the very notion of human merit is cast out to everlasting contempt. There is no more humbling doctrine in Scripture than that of election, none more promotive of gratitude, and, consequently, none more sanctifying. Believers should not be afraid of it, but adoringly rejoice in it.

Rejoicing with you today and for all eternity because of the great things He has done!

Pastor Matt