Mood: celebratory
Topic: Ephesians 1:3 - 14
God's sovereignty extends over all things. Because He is omnipotent (all powerful), NO PLAN OF HIS CAN BE STOPPED. (Luke 1:37) He is also omniscient (all knowing), so nothing is hidden from His sight. (Hebrews 4:13) What's more, He is omnipresent, which means that all things exist in His presence. (Psalm 33:13 - 15; Colossians 1:16 - 17) Everything in both the natural and spiritual realms - including our salvation - are under His complete control.
The Scriptures describe mankind as having hearts that are deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9), minds that suppress truth (Romans 1:18 - 19), and wills that have turned away from the Lord. (Isaiah 53:6) God, however, is continually seeking us. He's issued a universal call inviting everyone to freely come to Him.(John 3:16) He has declared it isn't His will that anyone perish (2 Peter 3:9), nor does He take pleasure in the death of the wicked. (Ezekiel 33:11) He desires that all come to a knowledge of the truth - namely, that there is just one God, sin separates us from Him, and only faith in Jesus reconciles us to Him. (1 Timothy 2:4 - 6)
But Scripture teaches that none of us seek God (Romans 3:11); we can take no credit for our salvation. The desire to know Him comes through the Spirit's work of convicting hearts of sinfulness and providing the faith to believe in Jesus as Savior. (Ephesians 2:8) Salvation is all of God from first to last.
The heavenly Father chose a people for Himself from among the ungodly. (Ephesians 1:11 NIV; Romans 4:5) Ask the Holy Spirit to help you grasp the immensity of divine grace, love, and mercy.
Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation
at 9:27 AM CDT