Romans 3:27-28
27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law
Many people want to justify themselves through their works. It feels good to boast when we have accomplished something. We fail to realize that God has allowed us to accomplish those things in our lives.
Satan does the job of stripping away God's glory. He deceives us into thinking that we have the glory.
Many people try to obtain heaven through works. They treat God transactionally. There's truly nothing we can do for God. We can never sacrifice as much as God has sacrificed.
We must realize we are never justified by our works. The work of Jesus and the law of faith justifies us.
God is truly amazing and merciful. We are so undeserving, but he continues to provide for us everyday. We're not thankful for him but he continues to love us
All he asks is for our belief in his son. Jesus, who died and resurrected for us. Amen!
2 Timothy 2:15-16 KJV
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
God wants us to study his word and learn more about the truth (gospel). But sadly, most people focus on things other than the gospel.
The church is supposed to be a place for growing your relationship with God through the servants and community.
Unfortunately, many go to church to gossip, to "teach", to network, and for other vain reasons.
Let us not be distracted with things that are not the gospel. I hope each and every one of us can focus on the gospel. Please welcome newcomers and meditate daily on the word of God.
Let us not close the hearts of others but instead open their hearts through the example we set living in front of God. Remember, we are all pillars in God's building. We all represent the almighty. Let's work together to build for his glory. Amen!
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1 Peter 1:22-25
22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
Many people try to live a pure lifestyle thinking it'll get them closer to God. The purity that God speaks about is different than the purity that humans know.
God wants us to recognize that purifying our souls is most important. That only comes from obeying the word of Truth, the gospel of our salvation. The gospel provides us the love through Jesus and allows us to humble ourselves into submitting to one another.
We can never do these things by ourselves. We must recieve the holy spirit through the gospel which produces these works for us.
Once we receive, we are born again and receive the uncorruptible seed of God. How amazing! God truly gives us the greatest gift of all. Eternal righteousness!
This word abides forever and represents our new holy nature. Amen!
1 Peter 3:16-18
16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
God allows us to suffer in order to show the division between people. Many "Christians" believe they are living for God. They think keeping the commandments and doing good is what God wants.
They don't realize they are being deceived. With that self-righteousness they mistaken it for Godly righteousness and use it to judge others.
God tells us to be aware of this. We shouldn't take it personal only because we preach the true gospel. Ultimately, they will be put to shame because of their accusations.
All we talk about is the gospel and that's why God highlights it as is good conversation. They talk about gifts and things that are in proximity to Jesus, but we only focus on the gospel brought by Jesus.
That is why God highlights that we should suffer for the gospels sake. Being Christ like isn't helping people, feeding the homeless, having compassion or empathy.
It's doing what Jesus did that no man could do. Saving souls from eternal hell fire. We can "help" people by paying their rent, giving them food, and education but what good will that do for the destination of their souls.
Jesus suffered for our souls and raised us up with him. How glorious is our God? Hallelujah Amen!
Mark 1:15
The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Many people think repentance is based off performance or transaction. They come to God as if they must offer or "perform" for him to forgive them.
"I will give up this addiction or I will stop this kind of sin". True repentance however isn't just turning away from a particular or set of sins. It is completely turning away from yourself, which is sinful from head to toe.
It takes two things, turning away/distrusting ourselves completely and believing the gospel. Notice how God doesn't say turn away from X sin or Y sin but he says "repent and believe the gospel".
True repentance is believing in the gospel that Jesus brought to this earth 2000 years ago. He is telling us the good news that we don't have to work anymore! We are made Righteous through him alone! But sadly, many trust their thoughts and works above the word of Jesus.
They cannot understand the fact that Jesus' blood washed us forever. So they continue to "repent" for their sins even though Jesus already took care of the debt.
Sin is an identity, but so many are deceived into thinking it's an action. They also think they can wash away their own sin deep in the core of their hearts. I hope none of us take the blood and name of Jesus in vain. He finished the work on the cross! We do not need to offer but only believe in him and him alone!
Amen!
