son – Praying Pint

52.v. Wilderness – 17.a. “The secret things belong to the LORD our God”

Deu 29:29  “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.

Job 11:6-7 and that he would tell you the secrets of wisdom! For he is manifold in understanding. Know then that God exacts of you less than your guilt deserves.  “Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of the Almighty?

Job 28:28    And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”

Psalms 25:14    The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant

Proverbs 3:32     for the devious person is an abomination to the LORD, but the upright are in his confidence.

Jeremiah 23:18     For who among them has stood in the council of the LORD to see and to hear his word, or who has paid attention to his word and listened?

Daniel 2:28    but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries,

Amos 3:7    “For the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets.

Matthew 13:35    This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet: “I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world.”

John 15:15     No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

Acts 1:7     He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.

Romans 11:33-34    Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!  “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?”

Romans 16:25-26     Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages  but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith—

1 Corinthians 2:16    “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

Matthew 11:27-30   All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.  Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Matthew 13:11    And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.

Romans 16:26    but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith—

2 Timothy 3:16   All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

Deuteronomy 6:7     You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

Deuteronomy 30:2     and return to the LORD your God, you and your children, and obey his voice in all that I command you today, with all your heart and with all your soul,

Moses ends his prophecy of the Jews’ rejection, just as St. Paul ends his discourse on the same subject, when it began to be fulfilled, Ro 11:33. We are forbidden curiously to inquire into the secret counsels of God, and to determine concerning them. But we are directed and encouraged, diligently to seek into that which God has made known. He has kept back nothing that is profitable for us, but only that of which it is good for us to be ignorant. The end of all Divine revelation is, not to furnish curious subjects of speculation and discourse, but that we may do all the words of this law, and be blessed in our deed. This, the Bible plainly reveals; further than this, man cannot profitably go. By this light he may live and die comfortably, and be happy for ever. (Henry)

Things which are revealed by God and his word, these are the proper object of our inquiries and studies, that thereby we may come to the knowledge of our duty, by the practice whereof we may be kept from such terrible punishments and calamities as these now mentioned. (Poole)

There are many secret things in nature, which cannot be found out and accounted for by men, which the Lord only knows; and there are many things in Providence, which are unsearchable, and past finding out by finite minds, especially the true causes and reasons of them; and there are many things relating to God himself, which remain secret with him; notwithstanding the revelation he has made of himself; for not only some of his perfections, as eternity, immensity, &c. are beyond our comprehension; but the mode of subsistence of the three divine Persons in the Godhead, the paternity of the one, the generation of the other, and the procession of the Spirit from them both; the union of the two natures, divine and human, in the person of Christ; the thoughts, purposes, and decrees of God within himself, until brought into execution; and so there are many things relating to his creatures, as the particular persons predestinated unto eternal life, what becomes of such who die in infancy, what will befall us in life, when we shall die, where and in what manner, and also the day and hour of the last judgment. Those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children for ever; the things of nature and Providence, which are plain and manifest, are for our use and instruction; and especially the word and ordinances of God, which are the revelation of his will, the doctrines and promises contained in the Scriptures. (Gill)

“He who believes in Me will live even if he dies”

John 5:24 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life”.

John 6:40 “This is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day”.

John 11:25 “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies”.

John 14:1-3 “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In my Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also”.

Resurrection is not a wishful thing, it is a promised reality and the trusted hope of all who believe. Our savior will return again and gather His own onto Himself and forever we will be with Him in eternity. As His return is ever-increasing closer to that last day, let us continue to keep our eyes focused on Him and live for His honor and glory in all we think, say, and do.

38.i. “Do not fear, for you have another son.”

Genesis 35:16 Then they journeyed from Bethel. When they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel went into labor, and she had hard labor. And when her labor was at its hardest, the midwife said to her, “Do not fear, for you have another son.” And as her soul was departing (for she was dying), she called his name Ben-oni; but his father called him Benjamin. So Rachel died, and she was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem), and Jacob set up a pillar over her tomb. It is the pillar of Rachel’s tomb, which is there to this day. Israel journeyed on and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder.

Jacob is finally on track with God and following His lead back to his homeland. He has been visited by God and finally is wanting to obey Him. On the way, Rachel gives birth to Benjamin and dies. The woman he loves gives birth and dies. When we get right with God and turn away from that which is not in line with God’s leading, it doesn’t mean there will not be challenges or that life becomes easy and comfortable. Many times it does become a life of continual blessing with both physical and mental peace and joy, however, let us not forget God’s will, God’s plans, and God’s purposes. These will always be right, just, and holy. Even as I write this it is hard to put this into words that make sense. The joy of a son’s birth and your wife’s death does not seem like there is any comfort, peace, or joy. The emotions of both contradict each other. I can’t imagine these events on the same day. Life, this side of eternity, will be filled with deep valleys and high mountain tops. Both of these are under the loving hands of God. All I can truly say is that whether we are in a valley or on a mountain top our eyes need to continually rely on and trust in God. I find no other way to find peace for our souls.

37.d. “Then I bowed my head and worshiped the LORD and blessed the LORD”

Genesis 24:39 So he said, “I am Abraham’s servant. The LORD has greatly blessed my master, and he has become great. He has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male servants and female servants, camels and donkeys. And Sarah my master’s wife bore a son to my master when she was old, and to him he has given all that he has. My master made me swear, saying, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell, but you shall go to my father’s house and to my clan and take a wife for my son.’ I said to my master, ‘Perhaps the woman will not follow me.’ But he said to me, ‘The LORD, before whom I have walked, will send his angel with you and prosper your way. You shall take a wife for my son from my clan and from my father’s house. Then you will be free from my oath, when you come to my clan. And if they will not give her to you, you will be free from my oath.’

“I came today to the spring and said, O LORD, the God of my master Abraham, if now you are prospering the way that I go, behold, I am standing by the spring of water. Let the virgin who comes out to draw water, to whom I shall say, “Please give me a little water from your jar to drink,” and who will say to me, “Drink, and I will draw for your camels also,” let her be the woman whom the LORD has appointed for my master’s son.’

“Before I had finished speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came out with her water jar on her shoulder, and she went down to the spring and drew water. I said to her, ‘Please let me drink.’ She quickly let down her jar from her shoulder and said, ‘Drink, and I will give your camels drink also.’ So I drank, and she gave the camels drink also. Then I asked her, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him.’ So I put the ring on her nose and the bracelets on her arms. Then I bowed my head and worshiped the LORD and blessed the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me by the right way to take the daughter of my master’s kinsman for his son. Now then, if you are going to show steadfast love and faithfulness to my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand or to the left.”

Eliezer – Abraham’s servant, doing service to his master, humble, a witness of God’s hand in his affairs, first-hand witness of God answering prayer on his journey, and surely witnessing the fulfillment of the promises and past blessings of God to Abraham. I am encouraged by how this servant relays his purpose and message.

God has blessed my master Abraham
What wealth Abraham has, has been given to him by God
Abraham’s only son was born late in the life of Sarah – an implied act of God
He was sent by his master
He was given specific instructions
He had concerns
He speaks of Abraham’s faith in God by angels being sent before him to prosper his journey
He told them of his prayer to the God of Abraham concerning specific actions at the well
He told them how God fulfilled this prayer
After this he requested an immediate decision as if to say, God’s hand is clearly in this and now you must decide if you will honor what has been said and give Rebekah to my master’s son as his wife?

There are many times in our lives that we want time to think things over before making a decision. Many of these times we are seeking God’s direction and discernment over the information that we have. Time and time again God will give discernment to those who seek His guidance and are surrendered to His purpose with willing obedience.

Then there are times like this where clear communication to the hand and working of God has been both given and, in part, witnessed. This is when waiting to make a decision adds no value. Nothing more can be said. I liken this to the point in your life when God has opened your ears, mind, and heart to His holiness, your sin, judgment (eternal life or death), and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is not the time to ask for time to think it over – nothing more can be said – accept it or reject it, the message is clear.

33.f. “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear”

1 John 4:13 By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.

Job 15:21    Dreadful sounds are in his ears; in prosperity the destroyer will come upon him.

Psalms 73:19    How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors!

Psalms 119:120    My flesh trembles for fear of you, and I am afraid of your judgments.

James 2:19    You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!

As I read 1 John 4 I am drawn to; “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear”. This small selected verse out of 1 John 4, does not stand alone. It is context with the “Day of Judgment”. Fear is used a couple of different ways in scripture, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; Fear here means respectful, compliant, devoted, and loving reverence to God. We must distinguish between the fear of God and being afraid of him; the fear of God imports high regard and veneration for God. Obedience and good works, done from the principle of love, are not like the servile toil of one who unwillingly labors from dread of a master’s anger.

In 1 John, fear is a kind of fear that involves a torment that agonizes the soul and robs it of any lasting joy or confidence.

The coming “Day of Judgment” should instill this type of fear in every living human being. I am amazed at how freely John speaks of it as if the “Day of Judgment” was understood and believed by most in his day. Today you hear little of it now and even less to fear it. Yet, within every soul is a foundational knowledge of God that should inspire our soul to want to know and understand Him.

People’s conditions are varied. Those without fear and love for God – give no thought to God, the coming judgment, and eternity in Hell.

Those with fear but without love for God – have given thought to God, the coming judgment, and eternity in Hell awaiting them and have a tormenting fear. They have not surrendered, repented, believed, trusted, or relied on Jesus Christ.

Those without knowledge of our sin, fear of the coming judgment and eternity in Hell and with a trusting and believing reliance in God – love of Him as Creator, Father, All-powerful, All-knowing, Redeemer of our soul”, We have been “born again” and are a “new creation” in Jesus Christ. Our love continues to be perfected. We continue to strive to honor and glorify Jesus Christ in all that we think, say and do. It is in this loving trust in Jesus Christ that the fear and torment within our souls are removed.

The completeness of love means we do not cower in fear before God, dreading His judgment, either now or on the day of judgment. We know all the judgment we ever deserved – past, present, and future – was poured out on Jesus Christ on the cross. Let the discovery of my own sinfulness direct me to its remedy, the righteousness and the Cross of Jesus Christ. He, and He alone, can deal with the disturbing element in my relation to God. He can ‘deliver me. It is Christ and His work, Christ and His sacrifice, Christ and His indwelling Spirit that will grapple with and overcome sin and all its consequences, in any man and in every man; taking away its penalty, lightening the heart of the burden of its guilt, delivering from its love and dominion–all three of which things are the barbs of the arrows with which fear riddles heart and conscience. So my fear should proclaim to me the merciful ‘Name that is above every name,’ and drive me as well as draw me to Christ, the Conqueror of sin, and the Antagonist of all dread. Make ready for the coming storm, and remember that the mission of fear is to lead you to the Christ who will take it away. (MacLaren)

29.c. “Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”

1 Colossians 1:21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

Ephesians 2:1-2   And you were dead in the trespasses and sins  in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience

James 4:4    You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

Romans 8:7-8    For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.  Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Romans 5:9-10   Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.  For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.

Belonging to the race of Adam, we are born alienated from God. Then as individuals, we each choose to accept and embrace that alienation with our wicked works. God’s answer to the problem of alienation is reconciliation, initiated by His work on the cross (reconciled in the body of His flesh through death). In the work of reconciliation, God didn’t meet us halfway. God meets us all the way and invites us to accept it. This means that in Jesus we are no longer alienated. The difference between a believer and a non-believer isn’t merely forgiveness; there is a complete change of status. The desire to be saved means a desire to be made holy, blameless, and above reproach, not merely a desire to escape the fires of hell on our own terms. There ought to be a transformative change in us. Something that is continually cultivated, nurtured, and persevered in. There ought to be a continual working, a persistence, in our desire to honor and glorify Jesus Christ in all that we say, think, and do. Be steadfast and do not allow any worldly or fleshly desires move your feet down paths where Jesus Christ is not honored or glorified. This transformative life never stops being transformed. We continual to grow in our understanding and knowledge of the grace, mercy, and love of Jesus Christ if that is truly the desire of our heart, mind, and soul.

29. “Open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light”

Colossians 1:13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Acts 26:18   to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

Hebrews 2:14   Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,

Psalms 119:18    Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.

Isaiah 53:11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.

Acts 10:43   To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

Acts 13:38-39    Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you,  and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.

Psalms 130:3-4   If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?  But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.

“The domain of darkness”. In the darkness, we truly do not see what is happening, though we might hear it. We don’t perceive what may happen, leading us to fear. We may get confused, angry, and anxious. In the darkness, a starving person does not see the tree with fruit on it which would give them hope and life. In fact, they may even think what is close by is evil and something to be feared, when in fact it is what will save their life. Darkness can make us feel vulnerable and alone. Darkness can lead you to believe something is there that is not and something is not there that is. If others are in darkness with us we may be lead to think this is what life is meant to be like. We do not clearly see but we certainly can hear and may even join in with whatever it is the group is doing. We may not even know what it is or why they are doing it, but because everyone is doing it we perceive it to be alright to do. However, we may know exactly what we are doing and may believe that what we are doing in darkness can’t be seen, giving us the courage to do in darkness which would never be done in the light. Adultery, pornography, child abuse, lying, stealing……. would not be done in the light. It is done when it is perceived to be in darkness and not exposed where others could readily see it.

Without the Light of Jesus Christ, we are in darkness. We will do things in darkness and think it is alright. We may be given to fear, confusion, and anger because things around us seem out of control, without purpose and meaning. Without Jesus Christ, we live in darkness. We live void of light and our actions, whatever they are, we perceive to be right and worth doing. God sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to save us from the darkness, Sin. He came to bring light to the darkness and redeem, forgive, and transform those from darkness to light. Light will expose what is done in darkness in both thought and action. God’s Word is light to our souls. It exposes darkness “sin”. God’s Word does not stop with just exposing sin, it explains God’s grace, mercy, and love. It gives us the light of hope when all around us is darkness. It reveals to us that God is in control. It reveals to us that we are never alone. It promises and gives us courage, hope, and peace. God’s Word tells us that many choose darkness over the light and are choosing Hell over Heaven. They reject the light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ who died for their sin and offers redemption, salvation, forgiveness for what they have done in darkness, and eternal life.

Do you think your life is free from darkness – ask God to expose your thoughts, words, and actions to the light of His Word.

28.z. “If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small”

Colossians 1:11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Isaiah 45:24   “Only in the LORD, it shall be said of me, are righteousness and strength; to him shall come and be ashamed all who were incensed against him.

Ephesians 3:16    that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,

Philippians 4:13     I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

2 Corinthians 4:7  But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

Proverbs 24:10     If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.

2 Corinthians 6:4-6   but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities  beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger;  by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love;

Hebrews 12:1-2   Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

His strength is there to help us meet all of life’s challenges and to endure and overcome problems with circumstances (patience) and people (long-suffering) with joy. We find it easy to be patient and long-suffering when everything in our lives is free from trials and troubles. In other words, we think we will be patient and long-suffering when they invade our lives. We think we will be strong, steadfast, face it with courage, and will honor and glorify Jesus Christ through it, and then, Bam!! life happens and just the opposite happens. Our greatest failure is trying to or thinking that we are facing the trial or trouble alone and in our own strength. When we do, subconsciously we may know it is beyond our ability, but still, we plod on trying to overcome it in our self-reliant way. We may even consciously concede to the fact that is beyond our ability, but we still try to rely on ourselves. Why is that? Sometimes it is because of our spiritual growth or lack thereof, living in sin, not having a desire to surrender it into God’s hands, shallow faith in God’s power, thinking that we are not worthy of God’s help, or a host of other reasons. It is hard to yield to God’s power, strength, purpose, and plans. It is hard to wait on the Lord. Should it be? All throughout our lives, we must continually grow in faith, hope, trust, reliance, understanding, knowledge, and wisdom. Learning to do this takes continual practice, surrender, and yielding. It is with an intentional choice and desire to honor and glorify Jesus Christ in all we say, think, and do that we find learning applicable. God’s Word becomes more than food for our souls. It satisfies, fills, empowers, and we learn to discern the leading of the Holy Spirit in our lives. How do we begin to apply this in our lives? Commit and Discipline yourselves to be in His Word and then practice surrender, yielding, seeking, and waiting on the Lord. Will we fail at times? Yes. However with continual practice, we will become more and more steadfast and resolute in our daily lives, and when trials and troubles fall upon us our natural reaction will be to place it in God’s control, power, purpose, and plans.

26.m. “When we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world”

Galatians 4:3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

The idea of the “elementary principle knowledge of the universe” is important. If there is any “elementary principle knowledge of the universe” that we must break free from, and that is stressed in pagan religion just as much as Jewish law, it is the principle of cause and effect. One may call it karma or “you get what you deserve” or something else, yet it rules nature and the minds of men. We live under the idea that we get what we deserve; when we are good we deserve to receive good and when we are bad we deserve to receive bad.

Paul told the Galatians to go beyond this “elementary principle knowledge of the universe” into an understanding of God’s grace. Grace contradicts this “elementary principle knowledge of the universe,” because under grace God does not deal with us on the basis of what we deserve. Our good cannot justify us under grace; our bad need not condemn us. God’s blessing and favor are given on a principle completely apart from the “elementary principle knowledge of the universe.” His blessing and favor are given for reasons that are completely in Him and have nothing to do with us.

The “elementary principle knowledge of the universe” is not bad in itself. We do and must use it in life, and God has a proper place for it. But we must not base our relationship with God on this principle. Since we are now under grace, He does not deal with us on the principle of earning and deserving. Because this is such an elementary principle, it is so hard for us to shake this kind of thinking. But it is essential if we will walk in grace. When we live on the principle of earning and deserving before God, we live in bondage under the elements of the world. In Jesus, we die to the elemental principles of the world. (Guzik)

Think about this, “Did Jesus Christ die for the best of you or the worst of you. “While we were yet sinners Christ died for us”. In Jesus, the elementary principle knowledge must find its proper place. I did nothing good enough, or have been good enough to deserve or earn the grace, mercy, and love of Him. Too often we keep a mental ledger book of the good things we do in hopes to outweigh the bad, when in fact God tells us to confess and drop these elementary principles of earning or deserving, and trust in Him alone for forgiveness. How many people will find their eternal destiny in hell when they die with the thought they are good enough to enter heaven on their own merits? How many people will not surrender these thoughts and humbly rely on trust in, and cling to Jesus Christ’s redemption, salvation, and forgiveness, by faith, rather than the elementary principle knowledge of this world?

26.f. “Making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ”

Galatians 1:15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me,

Ephesians 1:5   he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

Ephesians 1:9   making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ

Isaiah 49:1   Listen to me, O coastlands, and give attention, you peoples from afar. The LORD called me from the womb, from the body of my mother he named my name.

Jeremiah 1:5  “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

Isaiah 49:5    And now the LORD says, he who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him; and that Israel might be gathered to him— for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD, and my God has become my strength

1 Corinthians 1:9   God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 Corinthians 15:10   But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain.

2 Timothy 1:9   who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began

Paul wanted to show that his calling depended on the secret election of God, and that he was ordained an apostle, not because he had fitted himself for undertaking such an office by his own industry or because God had discerned that he was worthy of having it bestowed on him, but because, before he was born, he had been set apart by the secret purpose of God.” (Calvin)

God wants to do more than reveal Jesus to us; He wants to reveal Jesus in us. The revealing of Jesus to us is the place where eternal decisions of great consequence are made. Being set apart for the purpose of God’s will requires a surrender of self-will and a seeking, desiring, and wanting to do God’s will. Too often we interject our will, purpose, plans, and wants over God’s will, purpose, and plans. This is easy to identify. When our heart is more set on things of this world than wholly living in perfect purpose and desire to solely honor and glorify Jesus Christ in all we say, think, and do, it is safe to say we give more thought to self and this world than Him. Our life is a journey with many distractions that can tempt us to take our eyes off of God’s plans and purposes. It is a matter of the heart. Fill it continually with God’s Word, seek to honor and glorify Him in every moment as you grow more and more in your understanding and knowledge and love of Him.

You have been set apart for Him and His plans and purposes.