According To Who?

1 Corinthians 1:26-29 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: (27) But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; (28) And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: (29) That no flesh should glory in his presence. (KJV)  

God has chosen the foolish things of this world; which I consider myself one of those, having walked according to my own lusts and desires for so many years which always left me lacking and going backward instead of forward. The more one realizes just how weak they truly are, the more they will find how strong God truly is, and how to operate in that strength and confidence for themselves. There truly is strength in weakness. The more we realize this the more we can see the way of escape God has provided for us from this present evil world and its ungodly backwards thinking.  

Titus 3:1-6 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, (2) To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. (3) For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. (4) But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, (5) Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (6) Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; (KJV)  

What is your calling and who is it based upon? Is it according to your works and abilities, or is it according to the working of the Lord and what you are allowing Him to do through you? Is your calling based on large numbers, thinking that the only way you can be effective for the Lord is to teach to large audiences, or has the Lord asked you to be more hands on, one on one, not concerned with head counts? And would you be content with working behind the scenes, not in the spotlight so to speak, but rather doing all things heartily as unto the Lord without concern for what man thinks or how others operate? So many have missed the Lord’s calling because they had preconceived ideas of how a ministry should operate, and anything less than what they perceive as being effective will not work for them. Others forget how they were saved, and how they were called of God, which was not based on their works or abilities but rather by the kindness, mercy, and love of God. This same kindness and mercy which gave you access into the kingdom of God is the same that we should be showing and demonstrating to others as well. Sometimes those that are in the position of ministry work forget that they too were once foolish and deceived; rather than show that same compassion with others that was shown toward them they expect changes in others right away, changes that they themselves were not willing to make right away, as they too needed some time to get past their own shortcomings and infirmities of the flesh.  

2 Timothy 1:9-11 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, (10) But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: (11) Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. (KJV)  

Grace; God’s unmerited favor toward mankind which definitely eliminates boasting on our part. Each and every believer has had a spiritual blueprint drawn up for them before the foundation of the world, not based on our works and abilities but according to the Lord’s own purpose for us, and the path He has chosen for us to walk. Many people will begin their walk in the Spirit, on His path, but then they come to the conclusion that they will perfect it in the flesh. Instead of man being made in the image and likeness of God, many manmade religions try to make God in their image and likeness, of how they think the Lord should operate based on their own purpose and not the Lord’s. Once a person steps out of the realm of grace through faith they can no longer be used of God, but rather have gone about to establish their own righteousness which is based on works and is not of grace.  

Romans 11:5-6 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. (6) And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. (KJV)  

These verses remind me of the term awful good, an expression used by many. You are either one or the other; when you try to combine the two they don’t work. The same holds true with grace and works. Anytime someone tries to combine the works of the law with grace they end up with the awful, and not the good. They that are in the flesh and its realm of thinking cannot please God, it’s that simple. Anytime you base your walk with the Lord according to your works and your way of thinking you limit the Lord; you will eventually replace His plan of salvation that He had drawn up and intended for you before the foundation of the world with your own plan, which is a dead end.  

Lamentations 3:22-24 It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. (23) They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. (24) The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. (KJV)  

Every day should be a new experience with the Lord, another step closer to Him on the path of life that He is willing to illuminate for all those that seek Him. Are you waiting on the Lord today to hear His answer and instruction for where He would have you on this path, the one He chose before the foundation of the world, or are you to busy running in circles chasing your tail on some dead end path you chose? The arm of the Lord is never too short to save; so if you have fallen down reach up and let Him pull you back up, get back to the place you belong, the one He chose for you and knew where you would be best suited.  

Ephesians 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: (4) According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: (KJV)  

Do you wish to be strong? Then become weak to your own thoughts and ways, let the Lord have His way, which according to Him was drawn up and planned long before any of us were around. Believe it or not, God was able to draw up this perfect plan of salvation for mankind without our input or opinions; and quite frankly for myself I have found out that He still doesn’t need my input. So who is your salvation based on, who is it according to, God’s perfect will or your own limited thinking?

God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord.