The Bible talks about people being chosen by God “before the foundation of the world.” It makes a strong declaration that He made a choice that affects the saved of all generations. It does not refer to the Calvinistic doctrine of God choosing who would be saved and who would not.

Before He ever created the world, God decided that those who are going to be saved will be “holy and without blame” in His eyes through His love. He starts the process by putting us into His family (adopting those who believe).

In salvation, because of Christ’s payment for sin, God takes the filthy sinner and forgives them of their sin, makes that person His child, and then makes them holy. Holiness occurs in a two-fold way. First, there is the way God sees us because we are “in Christ” – spotless and without blame. Secondly, God wants us to choose to live holy by being separate from the world and choosing to live pleasing to Him in all we do. It is a lifelong process.

God’s plan of working this way in the believer’s life is “according to the good pleasure of his will.” It is the best way. God never chooses any way less than the best way. It leaves us with a free choice to love Him – or forsake Him – as some have done.

Thank God that all who sincerely come to Christ for salvation are instantly and forever saved. Whether you get saved to not is a choice you must make. Once saved, though, He will work on you to help you fulfill His unchanging plan of making you “holy and without blame before him in love.”

Christian, are you helping Him fulfill His plan for your life? Remember that He came to give you an “abundant life,” and it is a joyful life. The old song says: “Let Him have His way with thee.”

Paul first encourages believers to be a “living sacrifice” to God, and then he tells them why. He calls it a “reasonable service.”

Many reasons could be given as to why it is “reasonable.” They certainly would start with the fact that we do not deserve it; and secondly, God did not have to put His Son on a Cross for us.

God could have let all of us simply go to Hell and pay the price we deserve for our sins. After all, we are told that “the wages of sin is death” (Ro. 6:23).

In love, God sent His Son to redeem us by dying on the Cross for us. Then, He made salvation as a gift through faith (Eph. 2:8,9) and did not make us earn it. In fact, He rejects all attempts to make us pay for it – or even part of it. Once faith is put in Christ for salvation, all our sins are forgiven and erased.

We should also consider being a “living sacrifice” because He put us into His family and made us joint-heirs with His Son, Jesus Christ (“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ,” Ro. 8:17).

God’s redemption of us also includes eternal life with Him, the removal of sin from our natures when we see Him in glory, and a perfect and sinless world in the future. What more could He have done to make His gift of salvation wonderful?

Considering all these things and more – it certainly is reasonable! He will not make you make that decision, but it should also be mentioned that He adds “abundant life” and blessing to those who make that choice!

Joshua was a man of God who loved serving God. He spent much time in the Tabernacle with God. He was single-minded and saw what God could do, when none of the other ten spies did.

At the end of Joshua’s role as the leader of Israel, he knew that Israel would turn away from serving the true God. His last public address was a reminder to Israel that unless you work at remaining faithful to God, there is a natural tendency to drift away from Him.

In the above verse, Joshua wanted the people to know where he stood. He was determined to please God, and he was determined to do so until he died. He also wanted to ensure his children and grandchildren did the same.

All too often people know that they should serve God. They may be saved, but many are rather indifferent to serving God wholeheartedly. They do not go to church or read their Bible daily or pray. They may call themselves a “Christian” but there is little evidence for it. They have become practical atheists – all words – no action for God.

Because of their parents’ seeming indifference to the claims of Christ, it is very doubtful that their children or grandchildren will be saved or go to church. Children will most likely follow their parents’ example rather than their words when they leave home.

The only way to ensure you leave behind a Christian legacy is to set a right example in the first place. Joshua made the right choice – will you?