Romans 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

Happy New Year.

Did you made New Year’s resolutions? I did not. Never have. While it is not the same thing as swearing an oath, it does point to something in one’s life that needs to change. If that is the case, why wait for a New Year to make that turning? Do you think that you will be able to change your behavior just because you turn the page on a calendar?

2 Corinthians 4:15-16 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

When I hear resolutions they appear to be about the external being, that which is seen of others. If the resolve to do what is right comes from the inner man, then would not the condition of the inner man control the actions of the outer? Being renewed day by day is in being instant, not waiting on time to change.

2 Timothy 4:2b …be instant in season, out of season; …

Do not wait to do the right thing.

2 Chronicles 2:14 And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God:

Psalm 139:24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Help me Lord, day by day. Amen

 

Ephesians 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

The Greek word translated here as purposed is potithemi, which means to expose to view. So often I am asked by men of educated means, how I could believe this delusion or illusion. The truth is that I have no answer which will satisfy them, for my answer only confirms their belief, that I am delusional.

I believe because God has revealed Himself to me. He has potithemi Himself to me. They will not ever believe that unless God reveals Himself to them, and even then, I am not sure they will recognize what they are seeing.

My first contact was or exposure to God came in the way of an answer to a prayer. “I don’t want to be like this anymore.” In an instant I was changed, I was not that guy anymore. But what was I know? I honestly had no idea what I had become but I knew things were different. I just didn’t know how different.

How is it that a God that can instantly transform a scared angry kid into a son of peace, take so long to bring about conforming me into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ? It’s a mystery, isn’t it? What I did not know then, I know now, but only in part. Not all is known, even today, so many years later. It can be found in that line in Ephesians 1:9 but so often we overlook the obvious in search for clues to the mystery.

His good pleasure is the key. What pleases God the Father?

Matthew 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Hebrews 13:15-16 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

The four key words to God’s good pleasure are in “in whom” and “by Him”. Nothing done apart from Jesus Christ is pleasing to God. In whom and by Him we have access by faith.

We grow and are conformed by exercise of faith in Christ.