1ST MARCH, 2023
PASTOR OLUBI JOHNSON
MAKING YOUR CALLING AND ELECTION SURE
Romans 8:29-30 KJV
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
Just as you can make your calling to heaven sure, you can also make sure your election to destiny: the perfection and fullness of Christ.
All Christians are called to be conformed to the image of Christ: to grow into the perfection and fullness of Christ (Eph. 4:13-15).
Although all are called, it is only the few who fulfill the conditions that are chosen, or elected, to enter into this wonderful destiny.
What are the conditions?
Be faithful and gradually perfect obedience to God through (not by), sufferings in the face of afflictions (Is. 48:10).
We are chosen or elected to our destiny in the ‘furnace of affliction.’ How, therefore, do we respond in the midst of affliction?
Do we respond to God in faith, prayer and not loving our lives unto the death like Joseph, Joshua, Caleb, David, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, Esther, Ruth, Job and others who entered their destinies (Job 13:15; Est. 4:16)?
Or do we get offended, murmur, complain and fear for our lives like the rebellious children of Israel at the Red Sea and in the wilderness (Num. 14:1-39)?
If, in the face of afflictions we grow spiritually over time, as we overcome the enemy by using the Blood, Word and the Spirit to gradually perfect obedience through sufferings (Heb. 5:7-9), our destiny, the perfection and fullness of Christ, will become sure (Rev. 12:11).
The destiny of the overcomer is sure because he will never leave the temple. He has the name or character of God, which is love, and Christ’s new name permanently written in his soul. Like Christ, he too ever lives to make intercession (Heb. 7:25), and has watching and praying always (Lk. 21:36) written permanently on his mind, will and emotions so he overcomes every temptation and trial.
Luke 21:36 KJV
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Revelation 3:12 NIV
Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name.
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