Speak not thou in thine heart, after that the LORD thy God hath cast them out from before thee, saying, For my righteousness the LORD hath brought me in to possess this land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD doth drive them out from before thee. Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that He may perform the Word which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Understand therefore, that the LORD thy God giveth thee not this good land to possess it for thy righteousness; for thou art a stiffnecked people. Remember, and forget not, how thou provokedst the LORD thy God to wrath in the wilderness: from the day that thou didst depart out of the land of Egypt, until ye came unto this place, ye have been rebellious against the LORD. (Deut. 9:4-7)
God is faithful and keeps His promises. No matter how rebellious Israel was or would be, God kept His Word. He has given the land to the descendants of Abraham, He has chosen the descendants of Isaac and Israel, not because of their righteousness or their works, but because of Abraham’s faith. He has chosen all people that put their trust in Him to possess that which He has promised unto them. People often rebel, and Israel rebelled quite often, even to the point of being removed from the land and in captivity for a time, but God has not forsaken them and they will possess all that God has given unto them. Israel often disobeyed and was chastised because of God’s faithfulness and they did come into the land and they will possess it just as God has promised.
For the Christian today, we are to remember that once saved we have a new life in Christ and His righteousness not our own. We are no longer the person we once were, but are a new creature in Christ, not to sin all we want but to live a life which glorifies God. God has promised salvation to whosoever will come to Him on His terms and repent by faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. He has and will keep His Word to save to the uttermost all those who have received Christ, not by their own works or their righteousness, for we have none, but by faith through grace, grounded in the established and perfect Word of God, which cannot fail and will never pass away. God calls all to receive His righteousness without which no one can be saved.
While we are here God has sent those of us that know Him out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our God has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of God so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God might have life in His Name.
God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. God calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with God, forgiveness from God, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet