DIVORCING GOD: HIS LOVE IS IN PURSUIT OF YOU!

DIVORCING GOD: THE PURSUIT

 “…You did not choose… (God, the Holy Spirit]...” (John 15:16 ASV). “... [God, the Holy Spirit] ...chose ...[you] ...” (Ephesians 1:11 NLT). “…That was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show ...[mankind]... his GRACE through Christ Jesus…” (2 Timothy 1:9 NLT). "… I have chosen you….” (John 15:16 KJV).   

 *

When you PURSUE someone it is an ACTIVE endeavor that requires chasing, determination, and working hard at it in order to gain the person’s attention, or win their affections, or capture their hearts.

We learned in the last chapter that God established a PLAN of SALVATION in order to PURSUE mankind and restore them BACK into a covenant relationship with HIM.

God PURSUES mankind with a HEART ready to FULLY COMMIT to THEM and he has ALREADY decided they are WELL WORTH his pursuit. “…God commendeth (demonstrated) his love toward ...[mankind], in that, while,,,[they]...  were yet sinners, ...[he sent]...Christ (his PLAN of SALVATION, who) DIED FOR ...[THEM]…” (Romans 5:8 KJV).

He personally CHOOSE you to be in a covenant relationship with HIM. This is where the PURSUIT begins. "…You did not choose ...[God].... but [god, personally]... chose you….” (John 15:16 ASV).   “... [God, the Holy Spirit] ...chose ...[the REDEEMED] ... in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan...” (Ephesians 1:11 NLT). “... God chose ...[the REDEEMED]... in Christ before the foundation of the world.” (Ephesians 1:4 KJV)

Who did he choose? “...every one that believeth (can be made RIGHT with God)...” (Romans 10:4 KJV). “… AS MANY as received him, to them GAVE HE POWER TO BECOME THE SONS OF GOD, even to them that believe on his name…” (John 1:12 KJV). “…WHOSOEVER shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved...” (Romans 10:13 KJV).

God “CHOSE” EVERYONE. “...every one that believeth (is MADE RIGHT with God)...” (Romans 10:4 KJV). “… "…You did not choose… (God, the Holy Spirit]...” (John 15:16 ASV).  God says, "… I chose you….” (John 15:16 ASV).   “... [God, the Holy Spirit] ...chose ...[you] ...” (Ephesians 1:11 NLT).

However, “...many are called (chosen to come), but few are chosen (to enter into...)..” (Matthew 22:14 KJV).  "… I have chosen you….” (John 15:16 KJV). “… AS MANY as received him, to them GAVE HE POWER TO BECOME THE SONS OF GOD (the REDEEMED)…” (John 1:12 KJV).

“...few are chosen...” (Matthew 22:14 KJV).  This VERSE explains the parable about the king and his invitation to a WEDDING. Many were invited, but FEW choose to come. The invited guest had MANY excuses for not attending.

So the king sent another invitation and invited everyone and anyone and MANY choose to come. They filled the wedding venue to the brim.

However, the king expected his invited guest to have on the proper attire, but one man did not have on wedding attire and was sent away. “...All who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes...” (Galatians 3:27 NLT). “...clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ...” (Roman’s 13:14 NLT).

EVERY guest was CHOSEN twice. They were chosen when they were called to COME to the wedding. "… I chose you….” (John 15:16 ASV).

Second, They were chosen to ENTER into the wedding venue “IF” they were properly clothed. “...Put on Christ, like putting on new clothes...” (Galatians 3:27 NLT).

“...many are called(TO THE KINGDOM), but few are chosen (TO ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM)..” (Matthew 22:14 KJV). “…Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and THE WAY is narrow that LEADS TO LIFE, and there are few who find it…” (Matthew 7:13-14 NASB). Jesus saith…I am THE WAY …and THE LIFE…” (John 14:6 KJV).

Jesus is saying that MANY are called (chosen or invited to the KINGDOM), but only the REDEEMED, who have believed in Christ  or are CLOTHED themselves in Christ Jesus, are chosen.“…The Son of man (God’s PLAN of SALVATION) came to seek (PURSUE) and to save THAT (sinful mankind) WHICH WAS LOST…” (Luke 19:10 KJV). AND “…SALVATION is found in no one else…” (Acts 4:12 NIV). “...Put on Christ, like putting on new clothes...” (Galatians 3:27 NLT).

There was NO other way into the wedding, but to be dressed in proper attire and there will be no other way into the kingdom of God, but to be CLOTHED in Jesus. “...‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how is it that you are here without wedding clothes?’ But the man had no reply. Then the king said to his aides, ‘Bind his hands and feet and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’...”  “For many are called, but few are chosen...” (Matthew 22:12-14 NLT).

 “…SALVATION is found in no one else…” (Acts 4:12 NIV).

Many people with HEAR the CALL, which is God PURSUING them, but ONLY a few will RESPOND to him.“…To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts…” (Hebrews 3:15 KJV).

God, the Holy Spirit, not ONLY chooses the ones he is in PURSUIT of, but he does EVERYTHING to DRAW their hearts toward him. “... I…will draw all men (women) unto me…” (John 12:32 KJV). Draw means to “attract through intentional and purposeful effort.” 

God’s heart of love has chosen you and sets out to PURSUE  you, by DRAWING you to himself. “ ...if I (Jesus, the PLAN of SALVATION) be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men (women) unto me” (John 12:32 KJV).

Jesus Christ, God’s PLAN of SALVATION, is “good news,” with DRAWING power. By listening to the “good news” and learning from it; it HAS the POWER to draw you to God. "It is written in the prophets, 'AND THEY SHALL ALL BE TAUGHT OF GOD.' Every one that hath heard and hath learned of the Father, cometh to me (John 6:45 KJV). “ ...if I (Jesus, the PLAN of SALVATION) be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men (women) unto me” (John 12:32 KJV).

Jesus had another name. “… His name is called The Word of God…” (Revelation 19:12-13 NASB). “ ...if I (Jesus, the PLAN of SALVATION and the WORD) be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men (women) unto me” (John 12:32 KJV).

 “… [The] Good News about Christ (the PLAN of SALVATION and the WORD of GOD)… is the power of God at work (miraculously), saving (redeeming) everyone who believes…” (Romans 1:16 NLT). “…BY THE WORD of the Lord [you are DRAWN to God, the Holy Spirit]…” (Psalms 33:6 NASB).

“ ...if I (Jesus, the PLAN of SALVATION and the WORD) be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men (women) unto me” (John 12:32 KJV).

God, the Holy Spirit, sent his only Son (his PLAN of SALVATION) as a WAY to pursue mankind, choose them, and DRAW them BACK to LOVE (himself). “…God is love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “…God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him, SHOULD NOT PERISH, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV).

Jesus Christ also took your sinful crimes upon himself and satisfied God’s righteous requirements, for breaking his HOLY laws, by willingly dying on the cross and becoming YOUR atoning sacrifice. “... Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (substitute, atonement) for ...[mankind’s ]...sins.” (1 John 4:10 KJV). “…Christ ...suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us [back] to God …” (1 Peter 3:18 KJV). “...the just for the unjust, that he might bring us [back] to [HIMSELF]…” (1 Peter 3:18 KJV). “… I will bring them home again,” says the Lord….” (HOSEA 11 NLT). “… Indeed, He loves the people…” (Deuteronomy 33:3 NASB).

 GOD SENT, HIS SON, his PLAN of SALVATION that he might bring mankind BACK to LOVE and BACK into a COVENANT relationship HIM, God, the Holy Spirit, again. “…God is love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV).

“… I will bring them home again,” says the Lord….” (HOSEA 11 NLT). “…He loves the people (mankind)…” (Deuteronomy 33:3 NASB).

HIS HOLY SON, his PLAN of SALVATION, and the human vessel, in which, God uses to PURSUE mankind is LIKE AN EMULSIFIER. “… [He sent the ] …one … who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus …” (1 Timothy 2:5 NLT). “….Apart from [Jesus, the GIFT and PLAN of SALVATION]…YOU CAN DO NOTHING…” (John 15:5 NIV).

Through Jesus, God “powerfully” enables the covenant reunion between man’s soul and HIS Holy Spirit again. “…He that is joined (REUNITED) unto the Lord (Jesus) is ONE spirit… [AGAIN with God]” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV).

If an emulsifier is added to the oil and water it will miraculously enable them to UNITE together. “…He that is joined (UNITED together) unto the Lord (Jesus) is ONE spirit… [with God again]” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV).“…. Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).

Jesus miraculously enables the HOLY God and SINFUL mankind to REUNITE together as ONE UNIT again. “…There ... [is] … …one … who can [reunite]... God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus…” (1 Timothy 2:5 NLT).

GOD’S plan of salvation was HIS PLAN TO PURSUE MANKIND, deliver them, cleanse them from sin, choose them, and draw them BACK to LOVE and into a covenant relationship with him again. “…God is love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “…God saved [mankind] ...He did this, not because [they]... DESERVED it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show ... his GRACE (UNMERITED FAVOR toward mankind) through Christ Jesus…” (2 Timothy 1:9 NLT). “…[Jesus was SENT because of]... God’s kindness  (UNMERITED FAVOR)…[and] not by mankind’s] good works... [it].. is—free and undeserved…” (Romans 11:5 NLT).

Once God PURSUES you, chooses you, and DRAWS you through the “good news” of the gospel, all you have to do is CHOOSE to “…believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shall be saved” (Acts 16:31KJV). “...every one that believeth (are made RIGHT with God)...” (Romans 10:4 KJV). “… AS MANY as received him, to them GAVE HE POWER TO BECOME THE SONS OF GOD, even to them that believe on his name…” (John 1:12 KJV). “…WHOSOEVER shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved...” (Romans 10:13 KJV).

YOU have already been CHOSEN and invited to the KINGDOM of GOD, but it requires a voluntarily and willful response,

When God, the Holy Spirit, PURSUITS you, he also goes OUT of his way to DRAW you to love (himself) and into a covenant relationship with HIM. “…God is love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV).

When YOU HEAR his voice, you choose, through human will, to respond to the CALL upon your life. You choose, through human will, to accept or receive Jesus Christ.

It is a DECISION of the HUMAN WILL where you CHOOSE. “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve (follow, respond to, etc)….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV). “... choose LIFE…” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV). “… His name (Jesus, LIFE, the PLAN of SALVATION, etd) is called The Word of God…” (Revelation 19:12-13 NASB). “... choose LIFE…” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV).  “... Jesus saith…I am  (the WORD is) ...the life…” (John 14:6 KJV).

“...many are called, but few are chosen...” (Matthew 22:14 KJV). “… SALVATION is found in no one else…” (Acts 4:12 NIV). .“…To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts…” (Hebrews 3:15 KJV).“... choose LIFE…” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV).