Thoughts from Mark "Hat" Rackley

And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

• Romans 8:30

he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will

• Ephesians 1:5

It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.

• 1 Corinthians 1:30

“Q. 31. What benefits do they who are effectually called partake of in this life?
“A. They that are effectually called do in this life partake of justification (Rom. 8:30), adoption (Eph. 1:5), sanctification, and the several benefits which, in this life, do either accompany or flow from them. (1 Cor. 1:30).”

• Charles H. Spurgeon, Spurgeon’s Catechism (Scripture proofs in bold above)

“Q. 32. What benefits do they that are effectually called partake of in this life?
“A. They that are effectually called do in this life partake of justification, adoption, sanctification, and the several benefits which, in this life, do either accompany or flow from them.”

• The Shorter Catechism (Westminster Assembly)

Again, the Larger Catechism went in a different direction, but this might be the first time that the Shorter Catechism used the same Scripture proofs and no additional ones.

The terms justification, adoption, and sanctification will be defined over the next three questions.  The bottom line is that the Holy Spirit calls us to be one of God the Father’s adopted children.  The calling is effectual because He uses whatever means is necessary to show us the way to God.  And over the course of our lives, we will be made more like Jesus.  And that all occurs in this life.

And now let us sing.

The following song, All the Way my Savior Leads Me is sung by Wintley Phipps.

“All the way my Savior leads me
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His faithful mercies?
Who through life has been my guide
Heavenly peace, divinest comfort
Ere by faith in Him to dwell
For I know whate’er fall me
Jesus doeth all things well

All of the way my Savior leads me
And He cheers each winding path I tread
Gives me strength for every trial
And He feeds me with the living bread
And though my weary steps may falter
And my soul a-thirst may be
Gushing from a rock before me
Though a spirit joy I see

And all the way my Savior leads me
Oh, the fullness of His love
Perfect rest in me is promised
In my Father’s house above
When my spirit clothed immortal
Wings it’s flight through the realms of the day
This my song through endless ages
Jesus led me all the way”

• Fanny Crosby, All the Way my Savior Leads Me

Closing Prayer

Dear Lord,
We need You.  We need Your presence in our lives.  We need You as our Prophet, Priest, King, Savior, Guide, and Family.  Help us more each day to trust You more each day.
In thy Name we pray.
Amen

Soli Deo Gloria.  Only to God be the Glory.