From That Day Forward – Conclusion

For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

What happens to Christians who choose to go against GOD’s will for their lives after salvation and never take their rightful position in His Kingdom? 1 Corinthians 12: 4-7

When we opt out GOD simply moves on.

Choosing to live outside of GOD’s will does not derail His plan for His Creation which revolves entirely around Himself, His glory and His renown. It never was or is about us so when we fail to produce someone else gets more grace to do what we refuse to.

Matthew 25:14-28 recounts JESUS' parable of the talents: A wealthy employer is going away for an extended period and before he leaves he delegates three employees to be stewards of his wealth giving to each specific amounts of money (talents).

Upon his return the employer gets a 100% profit from two employees who invested well the talents he gave them. He praises and rewards them with increased responsibilities and invites them to share even more of their “master’s joy.”

The third employee gives back only the original amount he received. This employee’s explanation for his lack of productivity is that he is afraid of and mistrusts his employer (“You’re a difficult man, reaping where you haven’t sown and gathering where you haven’t scattered seed.” Matthew 25:24); so he hid his talent in the ground. The employer scolds him severely for being evil and lazy, throws him out and gives his talent to the employee who initially had the largest sum of money.

“For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have more than enough. But from the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.” Matthew 25:25

JESUS uses the analogy of Himself as a “Vine” and we as “branches” that bear spiritual fruit and He tells us the fate of “branches” that do not comply with the Father's plan: “Every branch in Me that does not produce fruit He (GOD) removes, and He (GOD) prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit.” John 15:2

These accounts have application to our Christian lives – GOD our Father who owns everything is both the wealthy employer and the Divine Gardener:

• As the Divine Gardener He removes fruitless branches from the Vine and prunes fruitful branches so they are divinely helped to produce more fruit  
• As the wealthy employer He rejects the steward who buried his talents (money.) and rewards the stewards for using His talents (money) wisely with additional responsibilities and more of his joy.

We learn three valuable lessons from the accounts of the wealthy employer and the Divine Gardner:

1. Our talents and gifts come from GOD and belong to Him and He expects us to be good stewards of all.
2. GOD will ensure that His Kingdom is fully supplied with what He needs to carry out His divine plan. 
3. Obedience to GOD’s will blesses others and the Kingdom so that the value of what we do is multiplied beyond our natural ability.

  “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)

This verse from JESUS’ model prayer is not something our LORD threw into this prayer at random.

As the sole Creator and Sovereign Ruler of the Universe, that His will be done on earth as it is in Heaven is unchanging and eternally the Father’s expectation and purpose for all Creation.

The earth and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants, belong to GOD and He does whatever pleases him, in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths. Psalm 24:1; Psalm 135:6; Psalm 115:3

(GOD) is unchangeable; who can oppose Him? He does what He desires. Job 28:13

…no purpose of (GOD’s) can be thwarted. Job 42:2

Power and might are in (GOD’s) hand so that no one can stand against (Him). 2 Chronicles 20:6

“…from ancient days I am (GOD)…When I act, who can reverse it?” Isaiah 43:13

Our salvation pleases GOD (1 Timothy 2:3-4) but He gets even greater pleasure when we are complete and fulfilled in it. He wants us to trust Him fully by faith in every aspect of salvation and He would then equip us with everything good for doing his will and Himself work in us what is pleasing to him, through JESUS CHRIST. Hebrews 13:21.

To fall short of GOD’s expectation for us in salvation does not get us thrown out of the family of GOD but it prevents us from experiencing all of its benefits.

• We miss out on knowing a deeper intimacy with both Father and SON, a relationship that is incomparable to anything the world has to offer!
• We trade in a lifestyle that is both exhilarating and peaceful for one that is mundane and joyless – divine joy for continuing unease and dissatisfaction!

We all will one day stand before the judgement seat of CHRIST and give an account for the choices we make here on earth, good or bad, and be judged accordingly. (2 Corinthians 5:10)

While we still have life why not make the more rewarding choice – good works over worthless? It is never too late to get back on track with honest repentance (1 John 1:9).

From this day forward in the Father’s will could be today and the best decision you could ever make!

 Trust GOD and believe His WORD!

“God is too good to be unkind and He is too wise to be mistaken. And when we cannot trace His hand, we must trust His heart.” Charles H. Spurgeon

Prayer and Thanksgiving:  Holy Father and GOD, May we seek always the divine path that YOU have planned for each of us in our salvation and never turn aside from it. Remind us that YOU are the unchangeable and Sovereign GOD who does what pleases YOU and that YOU are most glorified in us only when we are most satisfied in all that YOU are and with no compromise.  Teach us to obey YOUR commands and to treasure the WORDS of YOUR mouth more than our daily food. We give YOU all the praise and honor and glory for ever and ever; YOU are worthy of no less. We pray and ask all things in the precious Name of CHRIST JESUS our LORD. Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile