“I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians;
both to the wise and to the unwise.”
Romans 1:14
The love of God, by its nature, feels an indebtedness to His creation. His love ever seeks, ever draws all things to Himself. The love of God draws men; it is their responsibility to respond. He is not a despot forcing humanity into submission.
He must allow evil so that men and women will learn from their choices the consequences of sin and disobedience. In this day of grace, He suffers men’s choices while offering them a salvation that brings freedom from sin’s misery. It is in our receiving HIM that we can touch, taste, and feel a new inherent longing for His fullness within.
“But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name,
He gave the right to become children of God.”
John 1:12 (ESV)
There exist within the scriptures mysteries discovered by those for whom the “upward call” has captured their hearts. While many of His children are content with salvation from the penalty of sin, an amazing act of God’s love, others are in pursuit of a relationship with Him, in which He becomes the very purpose of life itself.
“He gave the right to become…”
The great mystery revealed in John 1:12 is discovered in the literal translation of the word “right”.
Vines’ translation of that word reveals to us the mystery of godliness:
“exousia (G1849) denotes “freedom of action, right to act”…”
The love of God being what it is, gives every one of His children the “freedom of action” and “the right to act.” Discipleship in Christ is the voluntary choice, being the heart’s response to the Love of God.
“Then Jesus told His disciples,
‘IF anyone would come after Me,
let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.”
Matthew 16:24 (ESV)
Joshua spoke to the children of Israel this same truth:
“Choose you this day whom ye will serve…”
Joshua 24:15
This is a daily choice for each of us.
All who receive Him are given the “right”, “the divine ability”, to choose their involvement in His Will. There is a need within those who have been deeply affected by His grace to “become” pure and holy AS He is holy. There is a groaning within to “become” involved with His Will and to apprehend His Call. May we not settle for a mere religious existence resting in promises that preclude our involvement in His Will.
Paul exhorted the believers at Corinth:
“So run, that ye may obtain.”
1 Corinthians 9:24
Our estimation of Him is revealed in the choices we make
and the life we live.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”
Matthew 13:45-46
“Self-denial is the result of a calm, deliberate, invincible attachment to the highest good, flowing forth in the voluntary renunciation of every thing that is inconsistent with the glory of God or the good of our fellow men.”
— Gardiner Spring
Related Post: Ponder Your Path
Brian Troxel
