https://esv.literalword.com/?q=eze+30%3B+hebrews+11
Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Thursday, 28 September 2023:
Ezekiel 30:8, 19, 26 – Then they will know that I am the Lord.
God’s ultimate aim is to glorify Himself. Where God is glorified, blessings flow in total abundance – paradise. Where God is not glorified, there is only curses and death. Everyone will eventually know Him as their Lord and Savior through Jesus or as their ultimate Judge.
Hebrews 11:1 — Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Faith trusts in the promises of God and enables and inspires us to live as if we have already received the fullness of our inheritance in Christ, though we haven’t fully experienced it yet.
The Bible tells us, “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us His precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.” (2 Peter 1:3-9)
Faith ‘partakes’ in the “divine nature” which has already been “granted” to us so we can experience and grow in what we already have. “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent…. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.” (John 17:3, 22, 23) If you are a Christian, you have already been saved into eternal life and have been empowered with the Holy Spirit to experience unity with Him and with fellow Christians now, though we have yet to realize the fullness of that unity. So, we are called to take hold of that reality now, to “make every effort” to live out that reality now and experience that reality more fully with each day. If someone gives you a present, but you never open it, you possess it but never really experience and enjoy the fullness of its value. God calls us to use the gift He has bestowed upon us now, to enjoy it, and to share it with others. In faith, we live out our divine nature with the assurance that “he who began a good work in [us] will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6) As we live out the new life we have in Christ, we will powerfully proclaim the truth of the Gospel to others who “will see your good deeds and glorify God.” (1 Peter 2:12)
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 — Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Hebrews 11:6 – And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
From Henry T. Blackaby – “Your relationship with God is largely determined by your faith. When you come to Him, you must believe that He exists and that He is exactly who He has revealed Himself to be in Scriptures. You must also believe that He will respond to you when you earnestly seek Him. Without this kind of faith, you cannot please God. Regardless of the morality of your life, the good works you perform, the words you speak, or the sacrifices you make for His sake, if you do not have faith, you will not please Him. It can be tempting to substitute religious activity for faith in God. Christians may claim they are being ‘good stewards’ of their resources when, in fact, they are wanting to walk by sight rather than by faith (Heb. 11:1). They may refuse to do what God tells them unless they can see all the resources in place first.
You may say, ‘I love God, but I just have difficulty trusting Him.’ Then you are not pleasing to Him. You cannot struggle at the core of your relationship with God and still enjoy a vibrant fellowship with Him! Faith does not eliminate problems. Faith keeps you in a trusting relationship with God in the midst of your problems. Faith has to do with your relationship with God, not your circumstances. Some may say, ‘I’m not much of a person of faith. I am more of a practical person!’ Yet you will never do anything more practical than to place your trust in the Lord! Nothing is more secure or certain than that which you entrust to God.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 28 September 2023: Today, walk in faith and take hold of, live out, experience and enjoy the divine nature you have been granted in Christ.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 