God’s Hope for Your Heart from Romans 9
SALVATION IS GOD’S FREE GIFT TO YOU
What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. (Romans 9:30-32a)
At the core of the Gospel is this simple truth: you did not pursue God, He pursued you.
You did not “do the right thing” and decide to follow Christ on your own. Your decision was a response to a regeneration God did in your heart.
Why is this important? Because it means God loves you even more than you imagined! It means you are off the hook to maintain your status of salvation, because it was all God’s doing in the first place.
Because it was God’s initiation that brought you into a saving knowledge of Christ, He’s the one who is responsible for keeping you in His grace, and He is always, always faithful to His responsibilities.
Do you want to have deep peace, full confidence and lasting joy in your salvation? Then let your heart be filled with hope as you dwell on this truth: Salvation is God’s free gift to you.
-Pastor Phillip
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