GOD IS FAITHFUL TO HIS GIFTING AND CALLING (PART 2).
TEXT:
"For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance." (Romans 11 verse 29, King James Version).
That God does not change His mind as regards His gifts and calling unto us should not be taken for a license to live flippantly or frivolously. It's an abuse of privilege for us to take the Lord's generosity and goodness for granted (see Romans 2 verse 4). That His gifts and calling are irrevocable and unalterable shouldn't mean that we live carelessly and without restraint.
We noted in part 1 of this series that the irrevocableness of the Lord's gifts and calling on us is something to ponder on very seriously. We ought to be careful in this matter because to allow one who's out of order with the Lord to continue to function in His graces apparently gives a false impression of that person's spiritual posture or standing with God. Besides, I'd known for a long time that the manifestation of spiritual gifts in the life of a man is not a true representation of his spiritual prowess or maturity. We know that a baby in the Lord may function wonderfully in spiritual gifts and still be spiritually immature. (Compare 1st Corinthians chapter 1 verses 4 to 7 with chapter 3 verse 1).
The issue of the gifts and the calling of God upon our lives and their irrevocableness is basically a matter of His election of us. Period! It's something amazing that once God has zeroed in on a man, He forges ahead with him, notwithstanding his flaws. We see this in the cases of King Solomon and Aaron the elder brother of Moses. The case of Aaron is particularly striking.
Exodus 24 to 31 records that Moses was on the mountain with God receiving instructions from Him as regards the Tabernacle, the Sacrifices and the Priesthood, with particular reference to Aaron and his sons. God had spoken extensively and beautifully to Moses regarding His choice of Aaron to minister as Israel's High Priest. But while this was going on on Mount Sinai, it's recorded in Exodus 32 verses 1 to 6 that the man Aaron who was with the people in the camp below had capitulated and acquiesced to their request to make them the molten calf; an act which was grossly sacrilegious and irreverent of him. According to Exodus 32 verse 25, by this singular act of Aaron, "Moses saw that the people were naked; (for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies:)"
Yet and in spite of this, God's choice of him to the Priesthood remained inviolable and unassailable. This is what is meant when it's said that the gifts and the calling of God are without repentance. No doubt, this is to the glory of the goodness of God towards His elect.
How often have we gone against God but He remained resolute in His good thoughts towards us! Let's resolve to be careful with what we do. Let this exhortation serve to educate us on the need to conduct ourselves properly before Him "with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." (James 1 verse 17).
PRAYER:
Dear Lord, thank You for Your love and grace upon my life. May You find me always doing things that will bring You glory, in Jesus name.