Read today’s texts first: Jeremiah 21, 24, 27; Psalms 118; 1 John 2
God’s Master Plan for the whole world
includes a very personalized plan just for you!
includes a very personalized plan just for you!
Past journal entries have revealed my bias for free choice, that Jesus loves everyone, died for the whole world, and offers His free gift of salvation to anyone who will receive it. I also believe in apostasy, that it’s possible, though extremely difficult, to walk away from a very real faith in Jesus. Reform theology suggests that if God is sovereign then He chooses some to be saved (and by logical extension, some to be damned) and those He saves are eternally secure. In other words, God is the puppet master and we are His puppets, and that simply doesn’t describe a loving God.
I do believe in God’s sovereignty, that the choices we have are a result of His choice. Some who contend against reform theology lean too far toward man’s power to choose, to the point that they think of themselves as the puppet master and of God as their puppet. Word faith teachers can fall into that extreme by reducing faith and prayer into formulas for success. If you name it and claim it then God is obligated to help you attain it. Not so!
Another man-centred concept often found in that doctrinal package is God’s transient anointing. If you can generate enough faith and resulting favour with God, then His anointing will come upon you. This idea creates a demand for celebrity preachers, prophets and faith healers, known for their powerful anointing. Our reading today debunks this spurious doctrine. God’s anointing is the presence of His Spirit. He doesn’t come and go based on how spiritual you are or think you are - the “anointing” abides (2:17).
His abiding presence and power is available to every Spirit-filled believer, all the time, wherever you are. You cannot lose the anointing as long as you remain in Him. “Lord, I am grateful I do not have to chase after your anointing in my life or in someone else. All I need for my life or to help someone else is found in You, and You are right here with me!”
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