Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
- 2 Timothy 1:9
In these thirty-five words, the Lord lays out our entire life in Him. Let's break it down: 1. Who hath saved us. The Word is telling us we are saved by the blood of Jesus Christ; saved! Remember Arthur Stace and the word Eternity, written all over the footpaths of Sydney? It is still difficult to grasp the full impact of this one word and its meaning. 2. We are not called with an ordinary calling, as if we are pursuing a job role. No! It is a holy calling! We are called with and to a holy calling: a calling in and to holiness, encompassing every aspect of our lives. As we choose paths in life, they must be within the bounds of our holy calling. God says, "Be ye holy as I am holy." 3. Not according to our works. Human beings without Christ cannot understand the holiness God is seeking, hoping, and expecting, let alone fulfil it. He doesn't call us according to our works — according to what we can achieve without Him and then come into His service as if He is hiring us due to our talents. But according to his own purpose and grace. Commitment can get us all across the line. 4. What is His purpose? God has purposed to create a holy priesthood. He is creating a Body and Bride for His Son, with His Son at the Head. Who enters which entity is up to Him, but His purpose remains the same. 5. Grace was designated to believers before the world began, when Christ was devising His overall plan as the author. Grace allows us time to grow into the maturity of our holy priesthood. It is easy to sit in a pew and forget we have such a high and holy calling, but we are ever called to a closer, deeper and more knowledgeable relationship with the Godhead team.
Today’s Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for your purposes. Thank you for the design elements you have put into the overall plan for mankind, and its magnificence. I pray you keep working on me so I can use the grace you have given me wisely.
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