“To God Be The Glory Forever And Ever!”

“To God Be The Glory Forever And Ever!”(Rom.11:33-36).
Jesus says,“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them…”(Mt.5:17-20). Christianity would not have been seperated from Judaism if the Jewish religious authorities were spiritually discerning enough to understand their own Scriptures. They would have recognised Jesus Christ as a “Fulfiller” and not an “Abolitionist!”
However,it was the LORD’s “good pleasure” to hide “these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children”(Lk.10:21).
The reason for the incarnation is God’s love for the world and his longing for the salvation of all souls. This is the hidden mystery. Love is buried within each of us. Love was given to us so that we should give it away in the same way that God gave his son as a love sacrifice for us. Love was given to us to give away in the same way that Jesus gave his life as a love sacrifice.
The early believers were almost led into the secrets of this mystery of love. In response to this, those “believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions were his own, but they shared everything they had”(Acts 4:32). In this was a true demonstration of love!
If Christianity at this stage was a reformation movement within Judaism, adherents soon became proud and haughty to claim superiority over others.
We must consider this as important that we should not despise those who are not with us. Every nonChristian is a potential Christian; depending on the way we treat them. Besides, there are many out there whom we reject because they have not called themselves Christians. But there is this stern warning from Christ,“Do not stop them, for whoever is not against you is for you”(Lk.9:50).
Spiritual pride often blinds our reasoning. Christians may be the new Israel and the new chosens. There is nothing wrong with that, except when we begin to see ourselves as being superior to those who are God’s choice by election.
To this end Paul reminds,“As fas as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies on your account; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable.”
We are beneficiaries of God’s mercy because of their disobedience, “so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of God’s mercy to us.For God has bound all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.”
Yes, this is the profundity of the wisdom and knowledge of the One and Indivisible God! We cannot fathom it, except to raise our voices in praise of his love.
“Hear this, O people, ‘The LORD your God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart…”(Dt.6:4-9), and “love your neighbour as yourself”(Lev.19:18b).
“From him and through him and to him are all things. And to him be glory forever!
Sunday prayer: LORD we thank you that in Christ Jesus your Spirit has revealed to us what you hid from the wise. Amen!
Have a blessed Sunday! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.