Finding favor with God is not something I can accomplish. Due to my sinful nature, there is nothing I can do. But, the Bible is full of stories of people who found favor with God. It’s simple. God showed favor to Abraham, Moses, David, Rahab, Elizabeth, Mary, Paul and many others. All they had to do was realize that God’s favor was not because of their merit and say thank you. I say thank you to God all the time. God rescued me and saved me. And he continues to do that every day. So with the psalmist I beg God to continue washing me from my iniquity and cleansing me from my sin. I throw myself at God’s mercy and ask that arrogance not come out of my mouth. Finding favor with God is God’s doing. And by saying yes to that favor, our behavior changes and begins to match the very character of the One who has chosen us; that is given us favor. So I continue to teach what is consistent with sound doctrine. The essential doctrines of God, creation, sin, soteriology, providence, sovereignty, Christology, ecclesiology, pneumatology and eschatology are vital for discipleship and must be taught. I continue to have much to learn and many inconsistencies between behavior and belief to resolve. Yet, I found favor with God. Thank you Father!
Scripture texts are taken from the two-year daily lectionary cycle which follows the liturgical calendar and begins on the First Sunday of Advent.
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