A GIFT YOU CANT REFUSE

Saul of Tarsus had nothing to do with his salvation but he could not refuse it even if he wanted to. In one moment in time, the most persistent persecutor of the Church (The Body of Christ) was transformed from chief hater to chief advocate. He who set his arrows to destroy God’s people (The Church); became the most dynamic advocate of the Gospel. He who was an enemy of Jesus Christ was in fact a chosen vessel unto the Lord to be his chief Apostle; to bear his name before many including us. He would soon demonstrate to the world that he had a full dispensation of the Gospel committed to him by the Lord Jesus. He who did not know Salvation, did not like Salvation, did not want Salvation, could not work for Salvation, nor could he buy it even if he wanted to; was overtaken by Salvation while he travelled on the road to Damascus to persecute the Church (The Body of Christ) the very fruit of this incontestable gift. It is the best gift man ever had and he never wanted to lose it once the value thereof is known. He cannot lose it even if he tried. Saul like Job trusted in his self righteousness. In despair Job contended with God laying out his good works: the woks of his hands. Saul contended with God in a different way. Trusting in his self righteousness and leaning unto his own understanding; and confident he was doing God a favor, with great zeal persecuted the Church of the Living God. He knew not that he was persecuting Christ himself. Both Job and Saul were God’s elect, trusting in themselves. As it was in the days of Job and in the days of Saul; many today are trusting in self righteousness leading them in subtle ways to contend with God. Some are soon to be saved but not knowing it while others are saved but are not fully appreciating the gift of Salvation, content with living on their testimony of their good works that they forget what God truly requires of them. The Enemy is always quick to rehearse and rehash man’s so called Good Works removing the focus from He who rewards all those who diligently seek Him and the great nature of the reward. The Work of Salvation is complete in Christ Jesus and all that is required of mankind is to: fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Loving the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our mind and with all our strength: this is the first commandment. The second is this: you shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these (Mark 12:30-31)

The Scriptures tell us that all our righteousness is as filthy rags before God. Considering the low estate of the man of sorrow and of woe; compared with his infinite Creator; will man disannul God’s judgment? Will man condemn God, that he may be righteous? Has man an arm like God, or can he thunder with a voice like God? Son of man: deck yourself with Majesty and Excellency; and array yourself with glory and beauty. Cast abroad the rage of your wrath: and behold every one that is proud, and abase him. Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their places. Hide them in the dust together; and bind their faces in secret. Have you my friend, power to do that? Then will God also confess to you that your own right hand can save you (Job 40:8-14). Until then humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.

Salvation while yet free comes with a burden that all of God’s children must bear in some measure. There is a duty to participate and share in all its benefits, a duty to adorn yourself in all its attributes, a duty to participate in its maintenance program through the Word and by the word, guided by the Holy Spirit, accepting all its terms and conditions. Salvation: the Gift of God: by Contract, binds all those chosen before the foundation of the earth to be parties thereof, with the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. There is no cancellation clause and all are redeemable by God through Jesus Christ. It’s a GIFT YOU CANT REFUSE and one you must cherish with great honor. Love you forever.

W. Bennett

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W. Bennett