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Men of Integrity, Sep/Oct 2001
Site Clearance and Security
Theme for the Week: Under Construction—Romans 7-8
Wednesday, September 12
Key Bible Verse: Those. … who have been called according to his purpose. … he also justified (Romans 8:28, 30).
Bonus Reading: Romans 8:31-34
Once all the approvals are obtained, building still can't proceed without site clearing. Before construction of the 18 homes on the former estate began, the builder cleared the land of all barriers and debris. He straightened the twisting drive. He removed excess trees. He even moved the lake.
Spiritual construction requires a similar wiping away of past problems. The apostle describes God's spiritual site-clearing process by saying that those whom God called he also "justified." God clears our lives of the guilt of sin by pardoning our pasts, wiping away the sinful garbage in order to build a new life in the likeness of his Son.
When the construction began on the estate near us, the builder placed a large fence around the property. He allowed nothing through the gate except what aided the development of the new homes. In the process of sanctification, God fences our lives with his purposes and allows nothing to enter except that which develops us more into the image of Christ Jesus. The circle of God's care assures the Christian that nothing enters his life except that which is working for his ultimate good.
—Bryan Chapell in The Promises of Grace
My Response:
How do God's fences frustrate me, and how do they protect me?
Thought to Apply:
God loves us the way we are, but he loves us too much to leave us that way.
—Leighton Ford (evangelist)
Adapted from: The Promises of Grace (Baker, 2001)
Copyright © 2001 by the author or Christianity Today, Inc./Men of Integrity magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.
September/October 2001, Vol. 4, No. 5
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Prayer for the Week |
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Thank You, Father, for working in my life to make Your purpose for me become reality.
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