"You did not choose me..."

At his election as LCMS President, the now sainted, Rev. Dr. A.L. Barry concerning God's word said,  "Get the message straight, Missouri.  Get the message out, Missouri."

 Hmmmm,  What he didn't say was "Get the message bright, Missouri. Get the the message out, Missouri."  Salvation is not ours based on our decision, our action, our efforts.  In fact, our decisions, actions and efforts have severed us from God forever.  There is no comfort in our actions when it comes to our salvation.

Don't agree with my words? Here are God's words:

"None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”  Romans 3: 10-12

"And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses."  Colossians 2:13

"The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned."  I Corinthians 2:14

"For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do."  Galatians 5:17

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."  Ephesians 2:8-9

"For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot."  Romans 8:7

"All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.” Matthew 11:27

"For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."  Philippians 2:13

“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you

 that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide.”

                                                                                       John 15:16

 

Thy works, not mine, O Christ, Speak gladness to this heart;

They tell me all is done, They bid my fear depart.

To whom save thee, Who canst alone for sin atone, Lord, shall I flee?

 

Thy righteousness, O Christ, Alone can cover me;

No righteousness avails Save that which is of Thee.

To whom save thee, Who canst alone for sin atone, Lord, shall I flee?

 

Thy Works, Not Mine, O Christ  LSB 565:1,5