For Of Him, And Through Him, And To Him, Are All Things: To Whom Be Glory Forever, Amen.- Part 2293

Peter was not alone in speaking the salvation message on the day of Pentecost. Indeed, his message to those of every nation was made in the presence of the eleven, wherein, as the scripture saith, they were all in one accord. It was herein that the first 3,000 souls were saved, and water baptized in the precious, holy Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and received the gift of the Holy Ghost -- ultimately, as we know, becoming world changers!

Why? Because these knew from whence came their salvation. As apostle Paul writes -- for of Him and through Him and to Him are all things: to whom be glory forever, amen. (Romans 11:36)

Like Peter, apostle Paul did not want professing believers to be ignorant of this mystery, lest, as he says, we should become wise in our own conceits. Indeed, as we know, Paul (educated as the Pharisee of Pharisees, having the best education possible) knew of the historic blindness in part that happened to Israel. That is, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in. (Romans 11:25)

"And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, "There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: for this is My covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. As concerning the gospel, [they are] enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, [they are] beloved for the father's sakes.

For the gifts and calling of God [are] without repentance. For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that He might have mercy upon all." (Romans 11:26-32)

Sometimes, when we look around and see certain people, we see God's grace upon grace upon grace extended in their day to day, and wonder. I believe that this is what Paul is saying here. That the Lord has never forgotten His covenant unto us -- when He shall take away their sins. Other commentators read much more into this -- but what intrigues me the most is the following scriptures. That is,

"O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable [are] His judgments, and His ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? Or who hath been His counsellor? Or who hath first given to Him, and it shall be recompensed unto Him again?

These are all good questions! But at the end of the day, we too know from whence comes our salvation, and that we are borne out of His mercy and kindness for His beloved creation. He paid the ultimate price -- shedding His own holy, precious blood so that we might have abundant life in Him. 

This is His promise to His people. 

For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

Stand in the offering plate.