The reason God saves has nothing to do with the worthiness or performance of those He saves. So why does He do it?
Today’s reading: Ezekiel 20-21; James 1
“Then I said I would pour out my wrath upon them and spend my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt. 9 But I acted for the sake of my name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations among whom they lived, in whose sight I made myself known to them in bringing them out of the land of Egypt. 10 So I led them out of the land of Egypt and brought them into the wilderness. Ezekiel 20:8b-10
18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. James 1:18
Page after page, Ezekiel lays out the case against Israel and Judah. Their sin and unfaithfulness before a Holy God was an abomination. God would have been just and right to destroy them at the first failure but He extended patience and relented again and again. But why? Three times in chapter 20 He says “I acted for the sake of my name, that it should not be profaned” (vs. 9,14, 22). Another time He says “And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I deal with you for my name’s sake, not according to your evil ways, nor according to your corrupt deeds, O house of Israel, declares the Lord God.” (v.44). God’s purpose in showing them mercy was that His name not be profaned and that Israel should know that He is the Lord.
God shows mercy to His elect people. Why? Two reasons. One, so that the world would not be able to claim that He is unable to save His wayward sheep. Two, so that His people should know Him in truth. James sheds more light on the subject when he writes that “Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” Why did God save His people? Because He wanted to. It was of His own will. God has no constraints. He has no obligations. He is completely free. He can do what He wants consistent with His holiness. What did He want to do? He wanted to save a people for Himself, the beginning of a new creation.
And that is what He did. Are you one of His people? If so, marvel at the greatness of His grace and mercy to you. Remember, you are secure in Him because the reason God saves has nothing to do with you.
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