GOD’S PLANS (part-17)

GOD’S SALVATION PLAN IS NOT COMPLICATED

BIBLE PASSAGE:
Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace
and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to
those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of
Abraham. He is the father of us all.
(Romans 4:16)

MEDITATION:
The world has a population of roughly over eight billion people.
But, if you extracted from each one the very best character traits
and put them all into one man, that one man would still have to
bow before God and cry out for mercy to be saved.

We’ve got to quit trying to be saved by doing good things or
being a moral and ethical person; we need to realize that
salvation is through faith. Satan has convinced too many that
faith is a result of our works, but what do the scriptures say?
    For it is by grace you have been saved, through
    faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the
    gift of God— not by works, so that no one can
    boast.
    (Ephesians 2:8-9)

It makes sense, doesn’t it? If salvation is based on what we do,
then we have omitted Jesus from the plan of salvation. Instead
of being grateful for His loving sacrifice for our sins, we live by
a “look what I did” faith.

We exchange our gratefulness for selfish pride, which is not
only the wrong decision, but it includes something that God
hates – pride. It is a selfish, egotistical pride that God hates,
and whatever He hates, should never be a part of our lives.
    There are six things the Lord hates, seven
    that are detestable to Him: haughty eyes,
    a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent
    blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes,
    feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false
    witness who pours out lies and a person who
    stirs up conflict in the community.
    (Proverbs 6:16-19)

Look at the first thing in the list of what is detestable to the Lord
“haughty eyes”.
    “Haughty” means:
         “disdainfully proud; snobbish; scornfully arrogant; supercilious”.
    “Supercilious” means:
         “behaving or looking as though one thinks he or she is superior to others”.

This is the direct opposite of the attitude
God’s Word says we should have, which is,
    Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain
    conceit. Rather, in humility value others
    above yourselves, not looking to your own
    interests but each of you to the interests of
    the others.
    (Philippians 2:3-4)

Before I retired, there was a co-worker who lived superciliously
and instead of concentrating on doing the best job he could do
with his own responsibilities, he spent an inordinate amount of
time pointing out flaws in his co-workers to upper management.

He even went to extremes and kept track of the absences of other
co-workers (including one who was having chronic health problems).
He lacked compassion and understanding and would report his
findings to upper management, apparently to prove he was much
more valuable than others. As a result of his poor management
skills, several on his staff were often trying to transfer to other
groups.

Why was he doing things that were the responsibilities of his upper
management? If they were still performing well in their job, and
even if their work was being affected, he was viciously trying to
cause problems for them. And how did he benefit from assuming
the role and responsibility of his upper management?

Not only was it the antithesis of scriptural instructions, but it created
problems within the workforce. He was forcing upper management to
decide; they either had to address the issues he had reported, or explain
to him that he was infringing on their area of responsibility, rather than
focusing on improving his qualities as a good manager (which is what a
good manager would do). If he had time to monitor other co-workers,
then he obviously needed additional constructive work assigned to him.

His efforts were not only disrupting the work of others, but they
were hurting him as well. He had a burning desire to be promoted
to the next level, but his reputation of monitoring the work habits
of others was a red flag to upper management that he was a trouble
maker who could not perform the duties expected at the next level.

Unfortunately, he didn’t understand that we never lift ourselves
higher by trying to lower the value of those around us (which is a
glaring difference between God’s desires and worldly passions).

Later, he was employed by another company where his reputation
was unknown and he acquired his coveted job title, but missed
out on gaining the respect of many co-workers at the company
he left. The good news for him (and for us) is, God can change an
arrogant, egotistical person into a useful servant for His purposes.

When we receive salvation from God, we should expect dramatic
and effective changes in our lives. Why? Because God infuses us
with new attitudes, habits, actions and focus. We exchange being
controlled by worldly passions for a life influenced by righteousness.
    Do not conform to the pattern of this world,
    but be transformed by the renewing of your
    mind. Then you will be able to test and approve
    what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect
    will.
    (Romans 12:2)

At the point of salvation, God begins a ‘sanctification’ process that
purges us of unrighteousness and fills the void with righteousness.
It’s a lifelong process that culminates when we step into eternity.

We can either be controlled by the ‘law’ or the ‘gospel of the Lord’.
    – The law says ‘if’; but the gospel says ‘therefore’.
    – The law says ‘you must earn salvation’;
       but the gospel says ‘salvation is a gift’.
    – The law ‘demands holiness’; but the gospel ‘provides holiness’.
    – The law says ‘run’, but it ‘doesn’t give us legs’;
       the gospel says ‘fly’, and it ‘gives us wings’ of grace.

ACTION:
We should ask ourselves:
    “Has Satan distorted God’s plan of salvation in my own mind?”

The scriptures make God’s plan clear, and it doesn’t include “works”.
    If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,”
    and believe in your heart that God raised Him
    from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with
    your heart that you believe and are justified, and
    it is with your mouth that you profess your faith
    and are saved.
    (Romans 10:9-10)

“Works” are what we do to prove our salvation, but not to earn it.
    What good is it, my brothers and sisters,
    if someone claims to have faith but has
    no deeds? Can such faith save them?
    (James 2:14)

    But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”
    Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you
    my faith by my deeds.
    (James 2:18)

We need to rebuke Satan’s efforts to change God’s salvation plan.
At the same time, we need to think about how the Lord wants us
to serve Him. What spiritual gift (or gifts) has God given us to use
for showing our faith? Our actions are a greater testimony of our
faith than any number of words we might say.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for the simplicity
of Your salvation plan. Forgive me if I have
allowed Satan to convince me that I should be
earning my salvation instead of accepting Your
gift as You intended it to be. Teach me how to
use the spiritual gift You have given me for
showing others and proving to myself that my
faith is genuine and sincere. Help me to point
others to Your Son, Jesus, using what You gave
to me as part of Your salvation plan.”

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