Prayer-Soldier Newbie
Joined: Apr 18, 2009 Posts: 1001
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Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 8:38 am Post subject: All Are Chosen |
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All Are Chosen
Scripture:
But they, passing through Perge, came to Antioch in Pisidia: and, entering into the Synagogue on the sabbath day, they sat down.
And when the synagogue was broken up, many of the Jews and of the strangers who served God followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. But the next sabbath day, the whole city almost came together, to hear the word of God. And the Jews, seeing the multitudes, were filled with envy and contradicted those things which were said by Paul, blaspheming. Then Paul and Barnabas said boldly: To you it behoved us first to speak the word of God: but because you reject it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold we turn to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us: I have set you to be the light of the Gentiles: that you may be for salvation unto the utmost part of the earth. And the Gentiles hearing it were glad and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to life everlasting believed. And the word of the Lord was published throughout the whole country. But the Jews stirred up religious and honorable women and the chief men of the city: and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas: and cast them out of their coasts. But they, shaking off the dust of their feet against them, came to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 13:14, 43-52)
After this, I saw a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and in sight of the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands.
And I said to him: My Lord, you know. And he said to me: These are they who are come out of great tribulation and have washed their robes and have made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, they are before the throne of God: and they serve him day and night in his temple. And he that sits on the throne shall dwell over them. They shall no more hunger nor thirst: neither shall the sun fall on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb, which is in the midst of the throne, shall rule them and shall lead them to the fountains of the waters of life: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. (Revelation 7:9, 14-17)
My sheep hear my voice. And I know them: and they follow me. And I give them life everlasting: and they shall not perish forever. And no man shall pluck them out of my hand. That which my Father has given me is greater than all: and no one can snatch them out of the hand of my Father. I and the Father are one. (John 10:27-30)
Reflection:
All are chosen, for all are the children of His creation. One need only listen to the Word to discern the truth, but it is left to the decisions of people to choose that which they desire to hear and that which they desire to see. If they listen with their heart, they will know what is of love and what is of hate. They will understand that it is charity and love which saves while greed and hate destroys. It was His love which was sent to save the world. It is the hate spawned of evil which seeks to destroy each soul and separate the children of His creation from their Creator. It is love which brings life and hate which brings death.
He calls to all to hear and share the Word, but not all will respond with an open heart. The seductions of the world blinds and closes hearts. As the generations walk their journey of the earth, they struggle to comprehend the blessings and freedom of sacrificial love. He sent forth His disciples to share the Word and to preach the grace of God, but the heart consumed by selfish desire is subject to become the slave of evil.
He came to the world and called His faithful to share the Word. Blessed are the hearts which remain open to Him, for they will receive His blessing. The ways of heaven may be brought to the world through the heart which seeks the Holy Spirit, but the ways of evil abound in the hearts consumed by worldly desire. It is the glad heart which seeks to serve the Lord.
In this world, the faithful will face those who persecute them, those who believe more in what they receive from this world than what they may receive from Him. Because they do not know Him, they do not know the truth of charity and love. Because they do not know Him, they place more faith in their worldly position than what will secure their position in heaven. Because they do not know Him, they are deceived that the power they control in this world has meaning over the grace of the Lamb which was sacrificed to save them. Because they do not know Him, they do not know what they do as they lash out against the faithful and seek to torment them with all forms of evil. Because they do not know Him, the haughty of this world walk blind, unable to see the light which is sent to them.
The moment will come where the faithful will gather and the blind will be left to wander the darkness. Those filled with the Holy Spirit will come to worship the Lamb, praising His name and the salvation which He brings. Voices will be lifted with great joy. The forgiven will offer thanks. Angels will rejoice as the trials of the world will no longer stain any heart nor the pain of evil weary any soul.
The moment will come where those who did not take His hand, who did not accept His forgiveness, who chose their selfish desires over Him will not be found in the number of those who rejoice. As they wander to the darkness, they shall be consumed by the evil which seduced them. It will be through their choice, for He did not come to condemn any of the children of His creation, but to save. As they reject Him, they reject eternal life. As they persecute those who follow Him, they store up that which will torment them in eternity. Blessed are those who flock to Him, for they shall be freed of every tear and will nestle in comfort and joy with the Lamb.
His voice will continue to call. Blessed are those who listen, for though they may wander a crooked path for a time, He will continue to call them to the light. Blessed are those who come to His voice, for they will find the blessing of the Word. Blessed are those who come to Him in prayer, for with each word lifted to Him, the hold of evil is weakened. He will not let go of the hand stretched to Him. The prayer of the faithful for salvation shall be answered. Through Him, the lost shall find hope, for as they seek Him, they shall find salvation.
May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier
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