Can one who has experienced the love of God and committed to follow Jesus Christ, really ever harden their heart and turn away? My commitment to the witness of Scripture that God is the One who changes hearts to want him; that free will has nothing to do with salvation; that believers can have the assurance of salvation and not live in fear of losing it; these truths reject the notion that one can fall away. I surround myself with the company of the righteous. In that group, I lift my voice in thanksgiving. In that group of the faithful, I know that God has not nor will not turn me over to the enemy. That group has gone before me, is and is yet to come. It is a mighty group of followers. As I reflect upon Noah’s status as righteous in God’s eyes, I return to the concept of Covenant, one Covenant and that even Noah was adopted into God’s family by grace, not works. Prior to the call of Abraham, the Covenant had to have been operative. It must have been Noah’s faith that reckoned him as righteous. I deeply ponder these truths. When I heard God call my name, I did not resist. Nor should you; nor should anyone. But can anyone really resist? It’s all about Jesus. Those in the Temple understood that reality the day he cleared the Temple courtyard. God does not tolerate human corruption. He loves me enough to discipline me. The Day is coming when the corruption of humanity will finally and eternally be judged. But now is the time to respond to grace. I am sharing that truth even more vigorously. It is the way of Jesus you know.
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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