Theological Commentary: Click Here
Discipleship Focus: Challenge
- Challenge: God does not merely wish us to be in relationship with Him as we are. He challenges us to grow, stretch, and transform as we take on the mantle of being His representatives to this world.
Isaiah 65
makes a very interesting challenge into our lives. The opening of the chapter reminds us that we
are a stench in the nostrils of the Lord.
Our sinfulness displeases Him.
Our rebellion disgusts Him. Our
selfish pursuits confound Him. Our
misuse of His creation saddens Him.
As a
result, we have a choice to make. Please
note that it is not He who chooses. We
are the ones who choose. We can choose
to continue on in our humanity. When we
do that, we choose judgment and wrath and condemnation. Alternatively, we can be a part of a small
remnant that does choose God instead of our human pursuits. When we do that we experience God’s grace,
love and mercy. But in the end, it is
absolutely our choice. We can choose
grace or wrath.
We can be
a part of the people about whom Isaiah speaks in the final third. We can be a part of the people who live in
God’s blessing. We can be a part of the
people who reap in God’s provision. We
can be a people who live according to His ways and who are likewise blessed in
life. But we have to choose that
life. We have to be intentional about
answering His challenge to rise above our human sinful nature and look to Him
for guidance, direction, and meaning.
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