THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
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Margaret Reinitz tells the folloiwng story.
"While I was shopping one Saturday, I sprayed my wrists with an expensive scent from a perfume counter's tester bottle. I then continue my shopping, exulting in the delicious frangrace.
That evening, while preparing our usual Saturday hamburgers, my husband said he had to run a quick errand and asked if I would like to ride along. I grabbed my jacket and noticed the elegant scent of perfume still clung to the sleeves.
I slid into the front seat of the car next to our nine-year-old son. He sniffed and exclaimed, 'Hey, you smell GOOD Mom!'
I replied, Yes, I know! That's the perfume I sprayed on my wrists while shopping today.
He said, 'No, it isn't. That's HAMBURGERS!'"
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2 Tim 1:9
"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,"
KJV
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When I read the Bible, I'm constantly amazed at the grammatical composition. My English teacher in college was very strict. She said, "Grammar is to be used properly, but if you can't understand it FIX it!" I'm very thankful for that common sense observation. When I'm writing, it may not be grammatically perfect, but I think most folk can UNDERSTAND it.
That's sorta the way the Bible is. Although, I've never found the grammar improper in God's Word, you can understand it.
There are four things important in observing the Scripture for today:
1) God's salvation is PERFECT PRESENT TENSE. "Who HATH saved us." Either you are saved or you are not. There is no gaining salvation and then losing it. Salvation is a PERFECT gift from God. It begins at surrender to Jesus as Lord of our lives, and continues through this life to the perfect end -- in glory with Christ forever. When salvation is received, it is enjoyed in the PRESENT time and will be enjoyed eternally.
2) People saved by God's grace are "..called with a holy calling." God certainly did not call us because we were holy! But He did call us to BE holy! The reason we seek to be holy is because God's calling to salvation is accompanied by His Holy Spirit sanctifying believers to Himself. Implanted within the Christian's heart is a desire to be like Christ. We do not choose holiness out of compulsion, but because our new nature inspires it constantly.
3) We are not saved "..according to our works." Salvation is a work of God in the believer. The desire to be saved is inspired by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The desire to continue in salvation is a constant work of His Holy Spirit. And the completed work of salvation is performed by our Lord Himself. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Eph 2:8-9)
4) We are saved "..according to His own purpose and grace.." God's purpose for the redemption of man was initiated "..before the world began." God purposed in His own Person to create man, give man free will, allow man to be drawn away from Him due to prideful sin, and then to redeem man to Himself through man's surrender of that free will. God also purposed that salvation would be totally by "GRACE," the unmerited favor of God, and not by man's works. And God purposed that saved people would determine to live according to HIS purpose in their lives. That, too, is by GRACE through the constant inpouring of His Holy Spirit.
Now, I don't pretend to draw similarity between God's salvation and hamburgers. But if a person is saved, then he/she oughta smell a lot like holiness! The inpouring of God's Holy Spirit into the saved soul produces both a desire for holiness and acts of holiness.
How do YOU smell today?
Love ya,
Bruce