I received yesterday the “Reformation Bible Study” book, from Ligonier’s Ministries.
Well, the book is actually a Bible but a gigantic one, having all the notes from earlier famous reformers, including the recent ones, such as R. C. Yeap! That is what I am talking about.
You know, I opened it as if it was a gift from God. But in a way, it is. I mean, the message we hear today is crazy, my friends. Unless we are so careful, the message we hear tries to convince us to give our backs to the truth of God. God forbid we do that.
Anyways, yes, I am very happy that one of the two famous Bible study books is now in my hand, praise God. And I am eagerly waiting to receive another one. I am not going to tell you until I receive it.
So, yesterday, I opened the box, I made a joyful noise to the LORD and I sat down with it. As I always do with all the books I put my hands on, I flipped the back page and started to read and guess what I found next to the word dictionary?
The Westminster Larger Catechism!
I mean, you may say, “Well, you can find it online. What is the big deal?”
Well, it is a big deal for me. I want a hard copy of it from ministries like Ligonier’s. Now I feel like, Martin Luther himself is in my house to help me to understand the Bible. I am serious. I love it!
Today I was very busy, busy that I stayed outside almost for the whole day. And while I was driving, I started praising God because from all the points I read from the Westminster Catechism yesterday night, this stayed in my mind: Chapter 10 – Of Free Will. And I want to share it with you.
Even my free will is handed to me by God because of what Jesus did on the cross for me. Yes, I was dead and my free will was dead with me too, the will that loves, adores and seeks God, the will that runs after the Spirit of God.
Because God chose me in Christ before the creation of the world that on His appointed time, He called me and brought me back to life and my free will resurrected with me. (Ephesians 1:4-5; 2:1; Colossians 1:13, 14; 2:13)
Sure, I have free will but I can’t take credit for it, for choosing God using my free will for it is God who gave me my free will back. He chose me first and I chose Him next (John 15:16); He loved me first, then I loved Him next (1 John 4:19).
Wow! Do you see this? ///