1-14-2025 Devotion

 Ephesians 2: 3 states: "We all...were by nature the children of wrath."

According to John 8: 44, we are all the children of the devil, and
according to Matthew 3: 7 we are all the offspring of vipers, and according
to the 16th chapter of Ezekiel we are all illegitimate children born out of
wedlock, dead in trespasses and sins, totally corrupt and discarded on the
garbage heap of the world as fit subjects for hell. There is nothing in us
that would be attractive to God in His Holiness.

Someone is surely to say, what about John 3:16: "For God so loved the
world." In the preceding verse, we learn that the whosoever believes are
the people being referenced in verse 16. Let me paraphrase, "For God so
loved the ones that believe, that He gave...." The "world" in verse 16 are
not the lost, but rather the ones that believe. The Scriptures call these
people the "elect." God's love for the elect is traced to His Sovereignty.
Follow me now, God does not love by rule. If God loved by rule, God would
be under law; and if God were under law, He would not be supreme, i.e.,
Sovereign.

God is a law unto Himself. Romans 9: 13 reads: "Jacob have I loved, but
Esau have I hated. God said this even before they were born. He did that so
we would know that His love was based on Himself and not the actions or
will of Jacob or Esau. His love is manifested in the ones He selects and
chooses to be the objects of His love. I have no understanding of why He
chose to shine His light into my heart. I didn't deserve it. I didn't want
it, nor did I desire it. However, when the Holy Spirit awakened me to my
sinful condition, I knew I had no hope but in the Lord Jesus Christ and I
came running to the foot of the cross. He chose me, accepted me in the
Beloved (Ephesians 1:6). He drew me with the lovingkindness of an
everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3) and shed abroad His love in my heart by
the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5).

If you are a Christian today, know that He chose you before you chose Him.
You loved Him because He first loved you. This truth has enabled me to
stand against oppression, heartache, disappointment and defeat. May you
embrace His Sovereignty and stand strong against evil spirits and
influences. It has worked for me and His Sovereignty will do the same for
you.