For what reason are you saved? What did Apostle Paul say for the reason he was saved. Just as Apostle Paul, you and I were not doing anything good to be saved. We are all fallen short of God's Glory. We are like sheep who have all gone astray. Yet, God had saved us. Why and for what purpose? Were you a good person? Was I a good person? Were the apostles and the patriarchs of the bible good people that determined their salvation?
Even the Apostle Paul, when he was Saul was killing the Christians. In fact, he was on the road to Damascus to gather and persecute more Christians. Paul was not doing anything right to be saved. God had intervened to save Saul who later became Apostle Paul. God out of His mercy intervened to save you and I as we were like sheep who had gone astray.
1 Tim 1:15 The saying is sure and true and worthy of full and universal acceptance, that Christ Jesus (the Messiah) came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am foremost.16 But I obtained mercy for the reason that in me, as the foremost [of sinners], Jesus Christ might show forth and display all His perfect long-suffering and patience for an example to [encourage] those who would thereafter believe on Him for [the gaining of] eternal life.
We have been saved for His Name Sake and to display His perfect long suffering and patience as an example. Through His long suffering and patience in us, this will lead our families, our friends, our bosses, those who are weak in the faith, and the nations to believe onto HIM for eternal life.
2 Tim 2:10 Therefore I [am ready to] persevere and stand my ground with patience and endure everything for the sake of the elect [God’s chosen], so that they too may obtain [the] salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with [the reward of] eternal glory.
Paul said he must persevere and hold his ground with patience and endurance against anything for the sake of God's elect or God's people so that they too may obtain salvation. Why did Paul say the word "may?" The definition of "may" is an expression of possibility. If it was guaranteed without our obedience, then why must Paul, and now you and I, must we persevere and endure for those who profess to believe but are weak in faith? Yes, although we are saved, we are being saved and the bible says we must endure to the end to be saved. Yes, God had called and chosen many people, you, and I but we must fulfill our part of the covenant through obedience and PROPER believing.
2 Tim 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome (fighting and contending). Instead, he must be kindly to everyone and mild-tempered [preserving the bond of peace]; he must be a skilled and suitable teacher, patient and forbearing and willing to suffer wrong.25 He must correct his opponents with courtesy and gentleness, in the hope that God may grant that they will repent and come to know the Truth [that they will perceive and recognize and become accurately acquainted with and acknowledge it],26 And that they may come to their senses [and] escape out of the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him, [henceforth] to do His [God’s] will.
The meek shall inherit the earth. Only through the fruit of the Spirit and through HIS meekness and kindness in you will you conquer and possess the land. The land are the hearts of our families, friends, weaker brethren, and the nations. Once their hearts are fully surrendered to God, then all they have is now at Kingdom disposal. You cannot force anyone to believe in what you know. You must live the Word in your lives so that HIS Power of Love, His Power of Patience, His Power of Peace, His Power of Gentleness, and His Power of Long Suffering will correct others with courtesy and gentleness. Through this, God may grant others to repent to come to know the Truth freeing them from the snares of the devil. The real Power of God is His Love, Patience, and Long Suffering. All other spiritual gifts will fade away but LOVE will remain and endure.
Scripture says to to pursue Love and desire the gifts. But many pursue and desire the spiritual gifts and end up a gong. The spiritual gifts are not there to gravitate yourself better than others but they are there to help you draw closer to Father God. You must obtain the proper order. You must pursue and know LOVE first and to pursue Love is to pursue God for HE is Love. As you pursue HIM, HE will grant you the spiritual gifts to draw closer to HIM.
Without the Power of His Love in you, there will not be lasting fruit. Without the fruit of the Spirit, you will not be able to conquer and possess the land. Be filled with HIS Love but to be filled with HIS love you must possess a pure heart, clear conscious, and sincere faith. Many worry about getting their families right with God but perhaps, many need to get right with God first.
May you know and come to brokenness so that through your ashes may come beauty. Always be in prayer. You must become less and less to nothing and HE must become everything.
Romans 12:12 Rejoice and exult in hope; be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation; be constant in prayer.
Pastor Steve Yong Kim
Fire of God Church
Fremont, California USA
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