PURSUED BY LOVE

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4. God will not be refused

The apostle Paul preached to the Athenians: “…now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead” (Acts 17:30-31).

The call of God to sinners is not an offer to be declined, not an invitation to be refused. It is a summons to be answered, a command to be obeyed. This call goes out from those whom He sends, those give the appropriate gift. They are not men of their own calling, not volunteers, but are ministers of God’s Word. They are royal ambassadors who come in the Name of the king of kings demanding we pay what we owe: our heart, our person, our life. Such preachers will be instruments of the Holy Spirit and the sermons they preach products of the Holy Ghost. God’s call goes out to all men everywhere to repent even though most will not heed the message and die without Christ: “…for many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:14).

Many preachers lack the courage to make clear to their hearers that it is their duty to be converted. It is not something they can refuse. This conversion occurs once, never to be repeated.

 

NEXT RIGHT WITH GOD

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