Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and peoples shall flow to it. Many nations shall come and say, "Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths." For out of Zion the law shall go forth, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He shall judge between many peoples, and rebuke strong nations afar off; They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. (Micah 4:1-3)
GRACE CHANGES US:
God's salvation makes us behave the way that we should! He says, “Neither shall they learn war any more”. We are not bound by cruelty, as if we can't repent. He intervenes by grace, helps us see the light, and we know that His way is BEST: we practice what He preaches.
He doesn't save by changing the rules or lowering the standard, but He bows us to the Lord Jesus on His terms, willingly! He says, “Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and peoples shall flow to it.” This isn't something that we do for ourselves, but it is GRACE in action, so that I love my soul and thereby the Savior, valuing Christ and His way above everything in the world.
I got engaged yesterday at the age of 41, and I'm very happy that she willingly said, “Yes”, to subjecting herself to me in marriage, even as we WILLINGLY follow the doctrine of Christ. He says, “Many nations shall come and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths. For out of Zion the law shall go forth, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.” He turns on the light of knowledge so we see Him glorious, and we see Him so beautiful that EVERYTHING else in the world takes a distant second place - so far in the background that it doesn't compete with the Son for our affection!
I've been single a long time and I love the thought of marriage, but my wife and children (if God gives them) will bear no competition to Christ. I willingly love Him more than anything else, and I can only say, “Thanks” for what He gives by honoring Him with it. He says, “giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph 5:20). This thankful obedience is God's gift. It isn't against my will obedience; it is obedience with my full consent. I say, “Teach me, Lord. Change me. Make me to walk in your way, and teach me to behave, Oh merciful God”, and He DOES it freely and continually, ““For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age” (Titus 2:11-12). You and I are sinners, today, tomorrow, and every day, and yet He will not condemn us for Christ's sake, and He DELIGHTS to give us more grace in our need. This is the fruit of Christ - not that we continue in sin and say, “Saved by grace”, but that grace teaches us to honor the Lord in godliness.
What do you believe about Christ? Is He worthy of your absolute devotion? If you're taught by Him, then He is!
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