If we are truly faith followers of Jesus, then we understand we are born again, converted, saved, brought into the family of God by faith alone. It is because of God's grace shown to us through the death of Christ that we can believe and be saved. We cannot earn God's salvation; we cannot work our way into heaven; we receive God's mercy and forgiveness as a free gift. Ephesians 2:8, 9
Yet after we have been part of the family of God we can subconsciously forget. When we are see others whose words and actions seem in every way opposed to God, we are grateful that we are not like them. And to easily we can begin to think we are better than those people. We might even begin to think that God made a pretty good choice when He chose people like us. (Of course we think this in all humility.)
There was a danger that Israel might think this way. After all God was about to give them the Promised Land. He promised to drive out before them all of those evil nations who worshipped idols and opposed God by word and action. God must be pleased that there was one nation wise and good enough to worship the Living God. Since this was a danger for Israel, as it is for us, God had some pretty blunt words for them as He spoke through Moses. Notice the 3 fold repetition of one phrase, just in case God's people missed it the first time. These words are a good reminder for us that we were not chosen because of our superior righteousness.
Yet after we have been part of the family of God we can subconsciously forget. When we are see others whose words and actions seem in every way opposed to God, we are grateful that we are not like them. And to easily we can begin to think we are better than those people. We might even begin to think that God made a pretty good choice when He chose people like us. (Of course we think this in all humility.)
There was a danger that Israel might think this way. After all God was about to give them the Promised Land. He promised to drive out before them all of those evil nations who worshipped idols and opposed God by word and action. God must be pleased that there was one nation wise and good enough to worship the Living God. Since this was a danger for Israel, as it is for us, God had some pretty blunt words for them as He spoke through Moses. Notice the 3 fold repetition of one phrase, just in case God's people missed it the first time. These words are a good reminder for us that we were not chosen because of our superior righteousness.
4 After the LORD your God has driven them out before you, do not say to yourself, “The LORD has brought me here to take possession of this land because of my righteousness.” No, it is on account of the wickedness of these nations that the LORD is going to drive them out before you. 5 It is not because of your righteousness or your integrity that you are going in to take possession of their land; but on account of the wickedness of these nations, the LORD your God will drive them out before you, to accomplish what he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. 6Understand, then, that it is not because of your righteousness that the LORD your God is giving you this good land to possess, for you are a stiff-necked people. Deuteronomy 9:4 - 6
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