Appointed! Not to Wrath, but to Eternal Life!

                    Brothers and sisters in Christ,

                                
                                 Even though we deserve God's anger and righteous judgment,
          due to our sinfulness and disobedience, because of His love, mercy, and grace,
          through His calling, power, sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, and belief in the
          truth, we instead, have been granted eternal life, according to His purpose and will,
          to the praise of His glory.



                                                                *****


                                "For we know, brothers loved by God,
                                 that He has chosen you, because our
                                 gospel came to you not simply with
                                 words, but also with power, with the
                                 Holy Spirit and with deep conviction."
                                                              1 Thessalonians 1:4-5a


                                "But we ought always to thank God for
                                 you, brothers loved by the Lord, because
                                 from the beginning God chose you to be
                                 saved through the sanctifying work of the
                                 Spirit and through belief in the truth.
                                "He called you to this through our gospel,
                                 that you might share in the glory of our
                                 Lord Jesus Christ."
                                                              2 Thessalonians 2:13-14
                                                              

                               "When the Gentiles heard this (that they too
                                 could share in God's salvation), they were
                                 glad and honored the word of the Lord;
                                 and all who were appointed for eternal life
                                 believed."
                                                              Acts 13:48


                               "For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath
                                but to receive salvation through our Lord
                                Jesus Christ.  He died for us so that, whether
                                we are awake or asleep, we may live together
                                with Him."
                                                              1 Thessalonians 5:9-10