“Grace is a provision for men who are so fallen that they cannot lift the axe of justice, so corrupt that they cannot change their own natures, so averse to God that they cannot turn to Him, so blind that they cannot see Him, so deaf that they cannot hear Him, and so dead that He Himself must open their graves and lift them into resurrection.”
~ G. S. Bishop (as quoted in Pink’s book, “The Attributes of God”)
This for me is nothing but breathtaking! Please read it carefully.
These two passages of Scriptures came to mind when I read the above quote:
“They shall be My people, and I will be their God; and I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me always, for their own good and for the good of their children after them. I will make an everlasting covenant with them that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; and I will put the fear of Me in their hearts so that they will not turn away from Me. I will rejoice over them to do them good and will faithfully plant them in this land with all My heart and with all My soul.”
Jeremiah 32:38-41
And,
“I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”
Revelation 3:18-22
My, my, my! Did you see that!?
If you are like me, you may ask, “So how can these two radically, seemingly different things can be in the same Bible? Where on one hand God will call and do all the work while the saints just enjoy the outcomes, but on the other
The saints have “a duty” to come to God, believe in Him, and make sure that they make their walk right with God to the end.
?
Is it only me or do you see these two things going together in a parallel fashion, without overlapping and crossing over one onto the other, throughout the Bible?
The beauty of Scripture!
Sitting in amazement, gazing at these two, the Sovereignty of God and the responsibilities of the saints, in the saving work of the Holy Spirit, I can’t help but be filled with worship. ///