The covenant of God is built upon His plan of redemption to save His creation from their own darkened selfish, self exalting hearts so that they might see, feel, experience and enjoy the pleasure of abiding in and with their creator. He pleads with man and patiently tarries the final judgment so that the remnant who would choose Him, might do so. He has endured the evil, the rejection, the foolishness of many that He might save the remnant that would believe. He could have (knowing the choice that Adam would make) have decided to never create man or to have destroyed it all at the instant that Adam sinned; yet, He did not because of the love, joy, and hope He desired to share with all who would believe. It would appear obvious that Adam did not even recognize the magnificent beauty of what was his with the relationship with God until it was gone or he could never have chosen the creation over the creator. Thus, step by step and over all the corridors of history; God has reached out and saved a remnant who would believe so that they might through faith enjoy His fellowship.
Drawing used with written permission of Ronald Barba. © 2011 Ronald Barba and is protected under copyright laws
He was willing to send Christ and to pour out the full wrath that justice demanded upon His very flesh so that His Grace, Mercy and Love could save this wayward bunch. Can I experience the magnitude of Grace if I did not see the depravity and darkness of my own heart?
Yet, in the beauty and grace; I can come boldly before God having been washed by the very blood of Jesus that I might draw near—knowing that I am covered by His Righteousness. The chosen people of the covenant through Abraham as a nation became once more “self righteous” in their thoughts and desired to “work their way toward God”. He allowed this dispensation that He might reach out to all of mankind who would believe in Him through faith. Paul wrote a very detailed discussion of just that fact from Romans 9-11. We have been given the
opportunity to be grafted into the family of God through faith and acceptance of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf. Abraham was not saved because of Circumcision nor as a result of his obedience to God. Abraham was saved by faith. That faith was demonstrated by the outward signs which were merely manifestations of that faith. True faith cannot help but manifest itself. We, though gentile born are grafted into that family of God’s chosen through faith.
Romans 10: 8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
It is difficult for our finite minds to grasp the utter magnificence of the Glory that is God. We want to lower Him to our dark little worlds and try to judge Him for having loved us so deeply as to continue to strive with us despite our foolish rebelliousness. We desire Him in His Sovereignty to snap His finger and make all the evil and sorrow disappear. Do we not realize that such an act would destroy our hope to see and enjoy Him? Instead, He patiently awaits for each and every one who will believe in Him. He gently and patiently teaches each willing heart how to worship Him so that their heart might be filled with His Love, His Joy and His Glory.
It is by faith we are saved and by faith we live. Sing along with Kristyn Getty to this song “By Faith”.
© 2014 Effie Darlene Barba
Drawing used with written permission of Ronald Barba. © 2011 Ronald Barba and is protected under copyright laws. If you desire copies please go to: http://fineartamerica.com/featured/mountaintop-experiences-in-the-valley-ronald-barba.html
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