Praise His Name for b-u-t!!! part 2

From: Ben Kelley
Subject: Praise His Name for b-u-t!!!, part 2

(If you haven't read part 1 of this series, you need to read at least the first 2 paragraphs of it before proceeding with this message, so you will understand its premise.)

What then shall we say to these things? If (more literally, "since") God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things. (Romans 8:31-32). This b-u-t comes in the middle of a set of verses (Romans 8:26-39) that knock my socks off with its picture of how God has set things up to make sure we make it through this life and on to Heaven. When we give, we almost always hold back something, lest we not "have any left for ourselves." This b-u-t, though, shows us the totally the open hand HE used in giving to us. HE fully gave His very best, His eternally beloved Son! We can rest assured, then, HE has provided all the necessities for our salvation stated in the passage I mentioned, because we know HE didn't even hold back in giving His beloved Son for our salvation. If (since) HE did that, how could HE hold back in making sure we "make it?" The answer is, "HE couldn't and wouldn't." Praise His Name for b-u-t!!!

That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. (Romans 9:8) We are blessed in knowing that, although God's promises are to the "seed of Abraham through Isaac", we don't have to miss out because we are not born into that physical family. Paul here reiterates what Scripture has stated many times; it is not a physical birth, which no one could control, but a spiritual "rebirth", something anyone (whosoever) can do, that brings us into the family (makes us children) of God. We are not kept out, but we all can be saved, if we believe His promise! Praise His Name for b-u-t!!!

I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy (Romans 11:11) Without this b-u-t, one might believe all the promises God made to the nation of Israel were false, or, as some try to teach today, the "church" has taken its place. We also would believe that we could lose those blessings if we slipped and sinned (which we all do). Paul tells us that our omnipotent, omniscient God uses even the "mess up" Israel as a people made in rejecting their promised Messiah to open salvation and all its blessings to us, the Gentiles, and will use even that to draw Israel back to Him through "jealousy" when they see the grace God bestows on us and the difference it makes in our lives. God does not break His promises or take them back. HE fulfills all of them. Israel will return. Many have already and have become ardent followers and witnesses of Yeshua HaMaschiach, Jesus the Messiah. Praise His Name for b-u-t!!!

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord (Romans 12:19) HE promises HE will take care of those who have caused pain and agony in our lives and those we love. God does not ignore when others mistreat or persecute us; HE records it all and will, if they don't repent, take vengeance upon them for their treatment of us. Our enemies might seem too big or powerful, and we may feel helpless, but our God will repay them. Praise His Name for b-u-t!!!

For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God (Romans 13:1b) We often fret over who is "in power", whether it be local, state, or federal positions in our own country, or, in some foreign country. We either don't like the way they operate, or we are fearful of what they will bring about during their reign. This b-u-t in Romans 13:1 tells us we can relax, for our God is in control. HE is still him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. (Ephesians 1:11b) Our God reigns Supreme over all and we can rest assured that nothing has "slipped by Him." HE knows what HE is doing and is working it all according to His perfect will. One day we will see what and why HE was doing when some terrible "ruler" was in the seat of power and privilege. HE is working it all together, and ultimately it will result in our good (Romans 8:28) We cannot comprehend His ways and thoughts; we must remember what HE tells us in Isaiah 55:8-: For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Our God is God, no matter what things may seem to indicate HE is not. Praise His Name for b-u-t!!!