Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall. 2 Peter 1:10.
In the council of heaven, provision was made that men, though transgressors, should not perish in their disobedience, but, through faith in Christ as their substitute and surety, might become the elect of God, predestinated unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself according to the good pleasure of His will. God wills that all men should be saved; for ample provision has been made, in giving His only-begotten Son to pay man’s ransom. Those who perish will perish because they refuse to be adopted as children of God through Christ Jesus….
There is no such thing in the Word of God as unconditional election—once in grace, always in grace. In the second chapter of Second Peter the subject is made plain and distinct. After a history of some who followed an evil course, the explanation is given: “Which have forsaken the right way, … following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness.” 2 Peter 2:15…. Here is a class of whom the apostle warns, “For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.” 2 Peter 2:21….
There is truth to be received if souls are saved. The keeping of the commandments of God is life eternal to the receiver. But the Scriptures make it plain that those who once knew the way of life and rejoiced in the truth are in danger of falling through apostasy, and being lost. Therefore there is need of a decided, daily conversion to God.
All who seek to sustain the doctrine of election, once in grace, always in grace, do this against a plain, “Thus saith the Lord.” 106SDA Bible Commentary 6:1114, 1115.
It depends upon your course of action as to whether or not you will secure the benefits bestowed upon those who, as the elect of God, receive an eternal life-insurance policy.107SDA Bible Commentary 7:944.
The Faith I Live By p. 157
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for some things that are going on in my life. We need wisdom from the Lord and the Lord’s help for intervening. Thank you E
—-Please pray for Ernie. He had another stroke yesterday and is in the hospital. Also we are looking for a caregiver for another person. Please pray we will find the right one. Mary
—-Please pray for Jan whose husband has passed.
—-update—Marvin has been moved to rehab. Please pray that he soon will be able to go home.
—-Update—Bob is at home and is doing well.
—-Received this request from a mom asking for prayer for her daughter. “My daughter Keturah fell and hit her head. She has a scull fracture and a bleed. She is at ______ trauma hospital. Please pray. Michael
—-I am having severe back pain. Nothing is helping. But I know God can take it away if He wants it to go away. Asking for prayers, please. Lorraine
—-Please pray for my grandmother Carolyn she has been admitted to the hospital. She has many health issues. Now she has Covid. TC
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Dear Friends,
When we moved to southern Alabama, we found that things were very different than what we were used to. Some things were nicer: some were not. As I was walking around our yard one day shortly after having moved there, I noticed a large ant hill. Since ants are everywhere, I didn’t think too much about it, but the size of the hill surprised me. The ants’ mound was much larger than any I had seen before.
A day or two later, Eileen, who was five at the time, started playing near that anthill. I was not far away. Instantly, that anthill looked like it was boiling with ants. Quickly, I got Eileen away from their nest, but still a few ants bit her. She began to cry in pain and shock.
A man and lady in a car that was driving by at that moment, stopped instantly. The lady got out of the car to see if she could help. She could tell by our reaction and by my accent that I was not from the area. She gave me some medicine that takes away much of the pain of fire ant bites and explained to me about those miserable creatures. Then she left the medicine with me, and they drove away.
How thankful I was that God had sent someone to help us at the very moment we had need. If people in that car had driven by a little earlier or a little later, they would not have seen our dilemma. Our Great Redeemer, Who knows the end from the beginning, had worked out all the details before we even had the need. Moreover, He put it in that woman’s heart to help us. She would not have had to get involved, but she did.
Just as that lady took the time to help us understand about fire ants, so we are to take the needed time and effort to help someone who has been bitten by the fire ants of sin. This effort might cause us to sacrifice, but it is worth it. When we see others hurting spiritually are we just as willing to help? Do we take time to explain the Way of Life to them? Our Dear Saviour tells us, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matt 5:14-16 He has given us the Great Commission, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matt 28:19,20
Often we think of the great work we could have done if we had been sent to a far away mission land, but we do not have to go far away to work for Jesus. There are opportunities all around us. Wherever we are is the mission field where we are to work. We can pray for opportunities to talk about spiritual things to those we meet and He will bring those opportunities often when we least expect it. The promise is ours, “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Ps 126:5,6
May we look away from the things of this world, away from our own convenience, and focus on the great task before us and ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance that we may be an effective witness for Jesus is my prayer.
Rose