Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ our Lord,
On Sunday we will continue our study of the calling and life of Abraham, our “father” in the faith (Romans 4:12, James 2:21) as we again consider the words ofGenesis 12:1-4. As his amazing story develops there are four significant Biblical themes that are surfaced: 1) Election, 2) God’s Effectual Word of Promise, 3) The Response of Faith and Obedience, and 4) Faith Tested by Trial. This Lord’s Day we will focus our attention on the first theme of Election.
Perhaps that’s a rather scary word for you. To be perfectly frank, this Biblical term has suffered much abuse at the hands of those who would approach it from extreme angles, or from defective assumptions about what it means (or can’t mean). This grand and glorious theme is often ignored, marginalized, or made the focus of unholy speculation and debate. But if we carefully (and humbly!) follow this thread through the Word of God, it takes on a beauty and grandeur that prompted the Apostle Paul to exclaim, “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!” (Romans 11:33).
Here in the story of Abraham we see how God, in wisdom and incalculable mercy, selects one man, one family, and one nation through which to bring the Savior into the world! Through this one man, whodeserves nothing from God, all of the blessings of heaven come to the world–a world hopelessly locked in the chains of sin and death!
I look forward to exploring this great passage with you on Sunday, and I know the Lord will richly feed us from the treasures of His blessed Word.
All my love and prayers, always,
Mike