We did not choose GOD, HE chose us."
Brethren, Do you recall reading the inspiring passage of SCRIPTURE found in Ephesians 2:13?" If not, let me share it with you, and get your thoughts on it. It reads like this: But now in CHRIST JESUS you who were once far off have been brought near by The BLOOD Of CHRIST. ["Do you remember? Yes? Well, please know that I find that passage of SCRIPTURE to be awe-inspiring." Why? Well, because through this passage of SCRIPTURE, GOD chose to reveal HIS MERCY toward us." Yes, and it all was poured out on us, when we Believed what 1st Corrinthians 15:1-4 reveals. Thus, we have been SAVED, and brought near to GOD." Consider how it reads: Moreover, Brethren, I declare to you The GOSPEL which I preached to you, which also you recieved and in which you stand, by which also you are SAVED, if you hold fast that WORD which I preached to you - unless you Believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also recieved: that CHRIST died for our sins according to The SCRIPTURES, and that HE was buried, and that HE rose again the third day according to The SCRIPTURES. [Brethren, The sinless LAMB of GOD, surely didn't deserve to die that way." But I can't say the same thing, about myself!" So I rejoice in Ephesians 2:4-5 that speaks volumes directly to REDEEMED sinners, like myself: But GOD, Who is rich in MERCY, because of HIS GREAT LOVE with which HE LOVED us, even when we were dead in trespasses and sins, made us alive together with CHRIST (by GRACE you have been SAVED.) [Beloved, We are SAVED by GRACE through FAITH; and called to know that The WORD of The LIVING GOD teaches us, that GOD consistently used people who were far less than perfect. People who fell short of complying with GOD'S "WORD" and commandments." Right!" People like you, and me, who know that we are not sinners because we sin." No! But on the contrary, "we sin," because we were born sinners. But now, that we are "BORN AGAIN," it doesn't surprise anyone of us, that we cannot comply with GOD'S Law entirely. No! Not without falling short." But why? Because of our flesh that is constantly fighting against GOD'S SPIRIT. Yes, GOD'S SPIRIT that teaches us, and directs us in The WAY we should go. Consider Romans 7:14-19 and how the apostle Paul, expounds on what I'm saying: For we know that the Law is SPIRITUAL, but I am carnal, sold under sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me, (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil that I will not to do, that I practice. [Are you taking all this in, Beloved?"] Well, let me finish with Romans 7:20 that reads : Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. [Is that clear, Beloved?" Or does that only confuse you?" Well, please know that GOD is GLORIFIED, by showing HIMSELF "STRONG," in revealing The TRUTH to us who diligently seek HIM. HE is "MERCIFUL," Beloved, through our weakness of failing to comply entirely, with what we read in SCRIPTURE. Through HIS LOVE and MERCY; GOD will show HIMSELF STRONG, and GRACEFUL, in being willing to SAVE and RESTORE, what HE did not take away. "Simply put, "GOD, is GOOD!" And in regards to humanity, we can only wish, that we could be!" Even though most people, consider themselves to be good people. And of this, GOD assures us in Proverbs 20:6 saying: Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, But who can find a FAITHFUL man? Right!" Who can find a man who agrees with The WORD of The LIVING GOD - JESUS CHRIST? Brethren, It's because we agree with, and recieve GOD'S WORD, as TRUTH; that I praise GOD, that we have not despised HIS GOODNESS, and LONGSUFFERING towards us." For Romans 2:4 asks us : Or do you despise the riches of HIS GOODNESS, FORBEARANCE, and LONGSUFFERING, not knowing that the GOODNESS Of GOD leads you to repentance? ["You see, the GOODNESS Of GOD we've all embraced, in embracing our LORD'S willingness to go The WAY Of The Cross on our behalf." When we Believed that awesome TRUTH, that revealed GOD'S GOODNESS." It lead us to repentance." Yes, repentance of walking in the ways of darkness." Yes, GOD'S "GOODNESS," Beloved, lead us to repentance, when we Believed in the finished work of The Cross of CHRIST, for the remission of our sins!" And because we Believe," we now speak of the GOODNESS of GOD; and proclaim our LORD'S finish work of The Cross. But those who don't Believe, ought to consider Romans 2:5-6, and how GOD is speaking directly to them, who harden their heart against HIM. Consider how it reads: But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of The RIGHTEOUS Judgement of GOD, Who will render to each one according to his deeds". [Brethren, GOD has called us out of the darkness, that once moved us to hate others; so that now we would "LOVE our enemies, and care not only for our own interests." But also, Beloved, for the interests of others." Yes, and through LOVE, to serve them, in telling them about the SALVATION offered by HIM, "Who is LOVE." For GOD, is LOVE! And HE speaks to us who have been approved by HIM, saying: But as we have been approved by GOD to be entrusted with The GOSPEL, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but GOD Who tests our hearts. And even through 1st Corrinthians 1:27 HE assures us, that HE uses the weak and foolish things of the world to confuse the wise. This means, Beloved, that you, and I, are prime candidates to serve GOD. Even as the apostle, Paul, was." Do you remember, how Paul said of himself in 1st Timothy 1:13 Although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained MERCY because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. Before Saul, became Paul, after being touched by "The WORD" Of GODl, the apostle was a religious man, who had not, The SPIRIT of The LIVING GOD, residing within him. But then, this conversation between The LORD and a Believing man, named Ananias. Consider Acts 9:10-16 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him The LORD said in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Here I am, LORD." So The LORD said to him, "Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might recieve his sight." Then Ananias answered, LORD, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to YOUR saints in JERUSALEM. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on YOUR NAME." But The LORD said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen vessel of MINE to bear MY NAME before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for MY NAME'S sake." ["Do you remember reading Galatians 6:7?" Well, it reads like this: Do not be deceived, GOD is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. You see, GOD was completely aware of what Saul, before he became the apostle Paul, "did in ignorance" of HIS WORD. Yet once he knew The TRUTH," Paul realized why he had to suffer such hostility from unbelieving men." But Paul found great Joy in his suffering, because he knew it carried a weight of GLORY. Brethren, our LORD isn’t looking for "superheroes." HE uses those of us, who in the eyes of the world, 🌎 are simply zeroes." But in The Eyes of GOD, we are "friends, and Beloved members of HIS household." We are members of GOD'S household, Beloved, because we "Believe," and agree with "HIS WORD." Thus, by GRACE through FAITH," we have been REDEEMED, JUSTIFIED, and SAVED!" Because like, Saul, before he became the apostle, Paul; we have repented of the things we did in ignorance of GOD'S WORD, that revealed our LORD'S finished work of The Cross."✝️ But now, we embrace JESUS CHRIST, as our BOSS." AMEN!" Thus, GOD has chosen to use us, though we are flawed, imperfect, weak and frail; so that HE can show HIS LOVE, "MERCY, and GRACE to others; that will never fail." ❤ JESUS" OK