God has plans for this world and He has decided beforehand exactly how he wants the story to end. Jesus, God in the flesh, was planned from the beginning to fix what Adam, Eve, and Satan caused to be cursed. Jesus arrived to provide payment for that curse at the appointed time and Jesus will return just as God has predetermined to end the curse for all eternity. Paul states that for God’s people, those who love God, and those who are part of God’s purpose, that God will work all things together for their good.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Romans 8:28-29 ESV
The point here is that those who stay in “His purpose” will line up for “all things” good. “All things” are not always physical here and now things but for sure “all things” are eternal final things. God through Christ is the source. He is the savior. His purpose is sovereign and unyielding. Basically there is nothing Satan or any person past or present can do that will prevent God’s narrative or cause it to be undone.
Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:10-11 ESV
Where might each of us fit in the story and in His purpose? God’s election to eternity is an invitation to a relational salvation and to be part of His plans. Relational because it is communion with God the Creator now in advance of eternity.
What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish. Matthew 18:12-14 ESV
God is searching out His sheep and that is why Peter says to confirm if true that each of us might be one of those sheep. Do not get confused however. Jesus is not the sheep that is lost with people searching for him. No, he calls out do you recognize his voice? Do you move toward that familiar relational voice of the Creator? Or do you push away moving deeper into the mountain away from God? “I was lost, but now I have found Jesus” is not the correct perspective. The truth is we are lost and it is Jesus that finds us. Stop running and listen for the author of life, the author of the most perfect story is calling our names. Will you allow him to drawn near?
Lord, we heard you call us, You heard our answer
And you give us second chances when we throw our hands up
I’m weary and broken, but your arms will be open
Unconditional love has got us locked into your focus
Lecrae
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Originally published on Human Effort August 25th 2013. Revised and Updated.
