"What if God, willing to show His wrath, and to make His power known, endured with much long suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: [so] that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had afore prepared unto glory, even us, whom He hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?" (Romans 9:22-24)
This is an interesting question. What if the purpose of salvation through the shed holy blood of Jesus the Christ on the cross was the full intent of the Lord God creating the earth in the first place -- so that He could gain unto Himself a family? What if His purpose for enduring His own long-suffering was to invite us -- His beloved creation -- into everlasting life with Him? This is most certainly what the scriptures saith. And yes, it is because of His mercy toward us, that He has sustained this world until now -- so that He could make His power known, and the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy -- you and I.
Indeed, as our Lord God and Saviour saith also, "I will call them My people, which were not My people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, "Ye are not My people; there shall they be called the children of the living God." Esaias [Isaiah] also crieth concerning Israel, "Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved; for He will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth."
And as Esaias said before, "Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha. What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore?
Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone. As it is written, "Behold, I lay in Sion a stumbling stone and rock of offence: and whosoever believes on Him shall not be ashamed." (Romans 9:22-33)
The Rock which is the stumbling block is JESUS. The name that is offensive to so many is JESUS.
Nevertheless, for believers, JESUS is the ONLY Name whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12) We also know that the Name of JESUS is above every other Name -- because He has elevated His Word -- JESUS -- above all things. (Philippians 2:9) " ... for Thou hast magnified Thy Word above all thy name." (Psalm 138:2)
The Great I AM that was manifest in the flesh for you and I -- His Name in this current dispensation of grace is JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins. And all this -- including the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward us appearing -- is so that you and I might experience His abundant love in Him. (Titus 3:4-7)
"As for God, His way is perfect: the Word of the Lord is tried: He is a buckler to all those that trust in Him." (Psalm 18:30)
This is why Thy Word -- JESUS -- the Word made flesh and dwelling among us should be daily a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our path. (John 1:1-14; Psalm 119:105) The reason why "Thou art my hiding place and my shield" because we "hope in Thy Word." (Psalm 119:14 )
Thus, our prayer should be for the Lord to uphold us according unto Thy Word! (Psalm 119:116)
Again, the Word being JESUS who was in the beginning with God and was God. The Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. Meditate on these things this very day, knowing that not one thing will happen to you this day that He has not already prepared us for.
His Name? JESUS -- the Way, the Truth and the Life! (John 14:6) JESUS -- the Rock of ages! JESUS -- the everlasting Father whose love and mercy and kindness motivated Him to become just like us -- God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16)
Stand in the offering plate.
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