The Gifts and the Calling of God are Irrevocable...

“For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” ~ Romans 11:29, NKJV

Paul spends three chapters of Romans on the spiritual condition of Israel, which weighed heavily on his heart. He longed to see his countrymen believe in their Messiah. Though God had His remnant among the Jewish people (a remnant which included Paul and many others), the majority of Abraham's physical descendants remained in belief. Paul spends time in Romans 11 showing how much Gentile believers owe Israel for the gospel which came to us through them (even through their rejection of the gospel). Believers are to love and bless Israel because it is through them that we were given all our spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus. As a rule, the Jews were enemies of the gospel for the sake of the Gentiles, but "concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers." God chose Israel - the people descended from fathers much loved by Him - and called them out of the world as His witness to the world. While the fullness of the Gentiles comes in they remain, as a whole, in unbelief. But the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable! God is not done with His people. In the last days they will experience revival and will once again be His witness. God's gifts, and His calling, are irrevocable. That promise holds true for us as well as for Israel. I have been called out of the world. I have been gifted with all the riches of God in Christ Jesus. The Lord will not go back on His word! He does not give up on me; He does not abandon me; He does not take back what He gives. I can rely on His faithfulness and know that what He has given me is permanent. In a changeable and faithless world, this is precious indeed.

by Rebecca

“When the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren.” ~ Genesis 29:31, NKJV

Jacob the deceiver and supplanter met his comeuppance in Laban, his mother Rebekah's brother. Laban willingly lied to and cheated his nephew (though he ultimately lost more out of their relationship than Jacob did). After Jacob served him seven years for his daughter Rachel, Laban gave him Leah, Rachel's elder sister, instead. Jacob didn't discover the deception until morning, when he challenged his uncle's actions. Laban gave Rachel to Jacob as well as Leah (for another seven years' labor), and predictably, Jacob loved Rachel and did not love Leah. Leah had her own sins, but when reading Genesis 29, one cannot help but pity her. I love that the Lord brought balance to the situation by blessing Leah with many children. Leah and Rachel never had to compete with each other for God's love or favor. He sought the best for them both, working their sins and their husband's and father's together for good. I do not serve a God who is out for Himself, or a God who esteems people the way men esteem them; I serve a God who loves me unconditionally, unchangeably, and unreservedly. Abiding in His love brings the heart peace in the midst of a stormy, unkind, and tumultuous world.

by Rebecca

Our Reasonable Service...

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” ~ Romans 12:2, NKJV

Paul broke into praise at the close of chapter eleven, declaring that “of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.” (11:36) He uses this doxology as a springboard from which to launch into the practical portion of his epistle. If all things - including we ourselves - are of God, through God, and to God, doesn't it make sense that becoming living sacrifices (12:1) is our reasonable service? Under the old covenant, a sacrifice - usually an animal - was something given wholly to God. The animal would be killed, with parts of it burned on the altar and the rest eaten by the priests and the ones who brought the sacrifice. But believers are living sacrifices - we die only the sense that we die to ourselves, our old man of sin, as we give ourselves wholly to the Lord. In so doing we find ourselves sharing in the fullness of the life of God as we conform not to this world, but to the likeness of His Son. Becoming a living sacrifice is not easy; it is a battle. The way we fight that battle is by renewing our minds with the word of God (the truth) so that, little by little, we come more under the influence of His Holy Spirit. You recognize someone who is filled with the Spirit! Their lives are markedly different - they're more alive, more joyous, more loving, more peaceful, more gracious...more complete. This kind of living proves God's will to be what He says it is: good, acceptable, and perfect. No, it's not easy giving one's self wholly to Him. It's easier to just jump off the altar. But when you do obey and you do die to yourself in, say, one particular battle, you come through on the other side with experiential knowledge of just how much it is to be doing it God's way than your way. This knowledge gives you courage to obey again and again and again, as you watch your life and your heart transformed by the power of God.

by Rebecca

The Faithfulness of God...

“[The LORD to Jacob as he journeyed to Haran]: ‘Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.’” ~ Genesis 28:15, NKJV

After Jacob infuriated his brother Esau by stealing his blessing, Rebekah convinced Isaac that Jacob should be sent to her brother in Padan Aram so that he might take a wife from among his own family and not from among the daughters of Canaan. Jacob left with Isaac's blessing and journeyed towards Haran and Padan Aram. As he stayed the night in a certain place, the Lord spoke to him in a dream, confirming to him the promises He had previously made to Abraham and Isaac. Additionally, the Lord addressed Jacob's present situation - his banishment from home and his uncertain future. The Lord told Jacob that He would be with him, no matter where he went, and that He would also bring him back to the land which his descendants would one day inherit, "...for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you." Jacob had a long way to go before he could truly be called God's man, Israel; he responded even to his vision in a very pragmatic and self-willed manner (like me). But he made a step in the right direction. And whether Jacob believed it or recognized it or not, his God never left him - He stayed with him to accomplish all that He had promised him. This faithfulness of God applies to us as well. The Lord never fails to carry out His word to the full. He never leaves nor forsakes those who are called by His name. When He makes a promise, He stands by it. Regardless of our worthiness (or rather unworthiness), reactions, failures, and faithlessness, the Lord remains faithful. So we can be "confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ..." (Philippians 1:6, NKJV)

By Rebecca

God is in Control...

“Then Isaac trembled exceedingly, and said, ‘Who? Where is the one who hunted game and brought it to me? I ate all of it before you came, and I have blessed him—and indeed he shall be blessed.’” ~ Genesis 27:33, NKJV

Believing his life was drawing near to its end, Isaac sought to bless his son Esau in a way contrary to what the Lord had already declared concerning the two boys (Jacob and Esau). Rebekah overheard Isaac's plans and directed their younger son, Jacob, to deceive his father and thus secure the blessing for himself. Genesis 27 is a sad, confused, painful chapter - the fruit of sin in the family's relationships. Isaac "trembled exceedingly" when Jacob's deception was revealed to him. He had sought to bless Esau, his favorite son, and give him what he knew the Lord had given to Jacob; now, after he knew which son he had actually blessed, I think he repented of his disobedience. "...indeed he shall be blessed." At that moment I think Isaac realized that God had accomplished His will through Isaac's very attempts to thwart it! God is sovereign. Despite Isaac's sin, despite Jacob's, despite Rebekah's, and despite Esau's, the Lord still accomplished His perfect purposes. But how much easier and how much better, in every way, is it when we obey Him rather than fight His work. Then, indeed, we are blessed.

By Rebecca

The Righteousness of Faith

“For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, ‘The man who does those things shall live by them.’ But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, ‘Do not say in your heart, “Who will ascend into heaven?” (that is, to bring Christ down from above) or, “Who will descend into the abyss?”’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? ‘The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart’ (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” ~ Romans 10:5-9, NKJV

Paul uses the Old Testament Scriptures to show that the two paths to righteousness - law and faith - are incompatible with one another. If one hopes to live by the law he must do the things that are in the law; this kind of righteousness (which is impossible for man to achieve) is entirely works-based. The righteousness of faith, on the other hand, is entirely based on Christ. We don't have to bring Jesus down from heaven, or bring Him up from the dead. God has already done that. Righteousness is as near to us as our own mouths and hearts, because with them we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior and receive His perfect righteousness imputed to our bankrupt accounts. The law brings only shame because of our inability to fulfill it, but “Whoever believes on Him [Jesus] will not be put to shame.” (vs. 11) The righteousness He gives us is His. I'm not relying on myself for my salvation. I can't measure up; I can't not fail. But Jesus remains faithful, and He is the one who guarantees my righteousness.

By Rebecca

God's Sovereignty...

“For He says to Moses, ‘I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.’ So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.” ~ Romans 9:15-16, NKJV

As part of a larger line of reasoning, Paul makes a point about God's sovereignty here in the above verses. How do you "get" God's mercy and compassion? Why do you get it? Why are you called out as a child of promise? The answer is straightforward: God willed it. It has nothing to do you with you. You can't will it, you can't earn it, you can't win it, and you can't qualify for it through biological or ritual means. This is good news! It is impossible for any of us to earn even the least of God's gifts. We are sinners who deserve only His wrath, not His mercy or compassion. But because He gave me grace anyway, based on His merit and not mine, I have more than I can even imagine. I have salvation. I have life. I have hope. I have peace. I have joy. I have love. I have all my needs supplied. I have blessings upon blessings (material and spiritual) heaped upon me. I have God Himself as my Father. I enter His presence as His beloved daughter and as Christ's little sister. These are goodnesses given to me by God, in His sovereign grace, and guaranteed to me by Him - they're not dependent on my performance, my heritage, my position, my anything. What incredible relief! I have utter rest because I abide in Him who performs all things for me.

by Rebecca

Blessed of the Lord

“Then Abimelech came to him [Isaac] from Gerar with Ahuzzath, one of his friends, and Phichol the commander of his army. And Isaac said to them, ‘Why have you come to me, since you hate me and have sent me away from you?’

But they said, ‘We have certainly seen that the Lord is with you. So we said, “Let there now be an oath between us, between you and us; and let us make a covenant with you, that you will do us no harm, since we have not touched you, and since we have done nothing to you but good and have sent you away in peace. You are now the blessed of the Lord.”’” ~ Genesis 26:26-29, NKJV

The Lord confirmed to Isaac His previous promises to Abraham, and made Isaac prosper. Isaac prospered so much, in fact, that Abimelech (king of the Philistines) sent Isaac away from Gerar because Isaac was mightier than they. In the passage above he came again to Isaac in Beersheba, seeking a covenant of peace with him. They wanted his word that he would not harm them, because they saw clearly that he had inherited the favor God set on his father Abraham. Believers share that same favor as the Lord's beloved sons and daughters. This is something for me to remember when I am afraid, when I feel alone, or when I am overwhelmed. The fear of my Father God is my protection and my shield.

By Rebecca

"Abba, Father!"

“For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’” ~ Romans 8:15, NKJV

Earlier Paul dealt with the dichotomy that exists in all believers. Our bodies follow the law of sin and death, but we, with our minds, serve God. Though a believer sins and must fight his flesh constantly, seeking to obey the Spirit instead, he does not walk according to the flesh anymore. The direction of his life is toward God. He has been set free from the law of sin and death through faith in Jesus Christ, and now, in Christ, he has the liberty to say "No," to sin. There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who, because they are in Christ Jesus, do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit! (Romans 8:1) The Spirit of God is not the spirit of bondage that we are used to, which brings us terror and leads us into death and more terror. The Spirit of God is the Spirit of adoption, who gives us the right to cry out to God, "Abba, Father!" God's perfect love for us casts out fear and builds for us an unassailable fortress of security. If the living God and creator of all things treats us as and calls us His beloved sons and daughters, how are we going to come to any harm? He works all things together for good for us. (Romans 8:28) Paul takes the truth of the Spirit of adoption and follows his line of reasoning right into the glorious finale of Romans 8:31-39: "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written:

'For Your sake we are killed all day long;

We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.'

37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

I do not have the spirit of bondage. I am no longer under any condemnation. I have no reason to be afraid with any terror. I have received the Spirit of adoption by whom I cry out to the Sovereign God, "Abba, Father!"

by Rebecca

Despising God's Gifts...

“And Esau said, ‘Look, I am about to die; so what is this birthright to me?’

Then Jacob said, ‘Swear to me as of this day.’

So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. And Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils; then he ate and drank, arose, and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.” ~ Genesis 25:32-34, NKJV

Esau sold his birthright (which entitled him to a double portion of inheritance and established him as spiritual leader in the household) for some bread and a bowl of stew, because he was hungry and weary after being in the field. Esau's oath was binding. Though the Lord had already chosen Jacob and told Rebekah that her elder son would serve her younger son, the birthright was still Esau's. It was a God-given gift to him that had eternal value and consequence. Esau despised it, preferring the temporary satisfaction of stew and bread to the never-ending satisfaction of fulfilling God's calling on his life. The author of Hebrews writes of Esau's actions, “For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.” (Hebrews 12:17, NKJV) Esau realized too late what he had sacrificed, and he suffered the consequences of his contempt for God's gift. May that never be the case for us. I want eyes that perceive and esteem eternal value, and I want a heart that treasures the gifts of God, be they circumstances, positions, talents, relationships, or opportunities. To make a practice of despising God's gifts and the calling He has placed on our lives is to end up like Esau - empty, remorseful, and bitterly disappointed.

by Rebecca

Thanking God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

“For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!” ~ Romans 7:22-24, NKJV

In chapter seven of his epistle, Paul focuses on the law and the role it plays in our lives. Human beings are born slaves to sin. The law exposes our true natures, making our sin "exceedingly sinful," (vs. 13) through the commandment, because the very fact that we are told something is wrong awakens our desire to do that very thing. The law is good. We are not. But in Christ, we died to the law that condemns us and are born again under grace. At salvation, we are given a new nature, an "inward man," who delights in the law of God and desires to do good. Paul recognized the dichotomy that existed between his inward man and his flesh (his physical body). One wills to do the will of God. The other wills to do the will of the flesh, that is, sin. For the believer, life is a continuous battle between these two natures! No wonder Paul cried out, "O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?" As believers fight their flesh and seek to let God's Spirit take control of their lives, we cling to the hope of verse twenty-four: "I thank God - through Jesus Christ our Lord!" Our salvation is not yet complete. There is a day coming when my body and not just my spirit will be resurrected into new life, wholly free from the old law of sin. Jesus took my old nature with Him to the cross. Soon He's coming again, and He will deliver me from my body of death and bring me into the fullness of life.

by Rebecca...

Waiting and Letting Him Take the Lead

“And the man, wondering at her [Rebekah], remained silent so as to know whether the Lord had made his journey prosperous or not.” ~ Genesis 24:21, NKJV

Abraham sent his oldest servant to his former country in order to find a bride for his son Isaac. As one reads Genesis 24, one can't help but be impressed by the quality of this servant, and by his obvious faith and love for the God of his master Abraham. When he arrived in Abraham's old country (by the city wells, about the time when the women of the city came out to draw water), he prayed for the Lord to direct him to the woman He had chosen for Isaac: “Now let it be that the young woman to whom I say, ‘Please let down your pitcher that I may drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink’—let her be the one You have appointed for Your servant Isaac. And by this I will know that You have shown kindness to my master.” (vs. 14) The servant had hardly finished speaking when Rebekah came to the well. She gave the servant a drink and volunteered to water all ten his camels - no quick or easy undertaking. Verse 21 records that as Rebekah worked, the servant watched her silently. He was waiting to see whether or not she would finish the task and thereby demonstrate that she was the one whom God had chosen.

God wills to prosper all His children, always. He prospered Abraham, He prospered Isaac, and He prospered this faithful servant on his mission to find a bride for his master's son. I love how the servant responded to the Lord in verse 21. He didn't leap to inject himself into the situation as soon as Rebekah spoke; he didn't immediately begin to question her or decide she was the right choice; he waited. Even better, he waited silently. He let the Lord show him what to do before he did anything. It's so easy for us to leap ahead of the Lord, seeking to take control of the situation ourselves rather than wait (quietly!) for the Lord's guidance. Abraham's faithful servant, who was also a faithful servant of God, is an example to all God's children. He is willing to prosper us. But we are best prospered when we are willing to wait and let Him take the lead.

--by Rebecca

Under Grace....by Rebecca

“For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” ~ Romans 6:14, NKJV

When he exists under the judgment of the law (the unchangeable code of what is right and wrong), man has no hope; the law exposes his sinfulness and subjects him to just condemnation. We wouldn't be able to say sin has dominion over us if not for the law, which tells us what sin actually is (and demonstrates that we, by nature, practice sin). But Christ's death changed all this. We are no longer under the law. We died to the law, our old man being crucified with Christ. Now our new man, who has Christ's nature, is alive to God and no longer under the judgment of the law. Instead we are under the judgment of grace. Grace is God's unmerited favor. Grace brought Jesus into this world to pay the price for my sin. Grace forgave me. Grace made me alive when I was dead in trespasses and sins. Grace adopted me into the family of God. Grace gives me free and bold access to my heavenly Father's presence as His beloved daughter. Grace saved me. Grace gives me what I need to make it through each day. Grace walks with me through each day and comforts me and gives me peace. No, I am not under the law. I am under grace. And this joy is all because of my Savior Jesus.