Category: salvation

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Sadness and Hope

We pray

Romans 11 Do you have someone you love and pray for, yet they have refused to believe as of this date? As Paul writes to the Roman church, he inserts his heart, which is sad beyond words. Listen to what he penned regarding his Israelite family: “As it is written, God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day.[Deut 29:4 and Is 29:10] Yet, even amidst this sad note, he is encouraged that one day they would turn and believe. To help us understand this, he writes using the illustration of pure dough: “If the dough offered as first fruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches.” [Rom 11:16]

By the branches, he means the Gentiles, and we are proof of that even while the Jewish people remain in darkness, refusing to believe Jesus is the Messiah. Continuing on, Paul reminds us Gentiles that we are not to become arrogant in what we believe but to remain steadfast in our prayers for them to accept Jesus as Messiah. Paul reminds the Romans and us, in turn, that their hardening is only for a while until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.

Precious reader, continue to pray for the softening of hearts, both Jew and Gentile.

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War and Peace

Romans 8-10 “Therefore there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” because you are free from the law of sin and death and are alive in Christ.”]Rom 8:1]

Beloved, remember this truth; as we noted in Rom 7, the unbeliever “does not get it and never will get it” because they are in a battle against God, not against you. Remember, they do not have the Holy Spirit within, so they are unwilling to agree with God. Therefore, they are at war with themselves and God and are hostile to God. This is the truth according to Rom 1 and Gal 5. We need this list before us when unbelievers persecute us, and we are asking why. They don’t know any different because they are governed by their flesh, which is governed by the prince and power of the air, Satan himself. PRAY FOR THEM/ WITNESS TO THEM.

Remember the words of Jesus and Peter, “Do not think it strange when you are reviled and persecuted.” This is the battle of the flesh against the Spirit. It is a spiritual battle [Eph 6], and because it is a spiritual battle, those who do not know Him will lose in the end without the intervention of our witness and the power of the Holy Spirit to bring them to the saving knowledge of Christ and His work of redemption.

So how, then, do we find the peace that passes all understanding? We must have the desire of the heart to pray for their salvation. For whom are you praying today that is under the dominion of the evil one?

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Saved by works or faith?

Romans 4: “What About Him?”
How often are we like Peter, asked the Lord, “What about him , meaning John?” Paul anticipated that question from the Jews regarding salvation for the Gentiles. What about them? Since they did not have the Law, how could they be righteous? “Paul has devoted the first three chapters to prove that the whole world is guilty before God. He has most recently made the point that “by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified” (3:20), that “none are righteous” (3:10) and that “all fall short of the glory of God” (3:23). But God in His graciousness provided justification through Jesus (3:26). Therefore, the only way to be justified in the eyes of God is by faith (3:28).” [H. Keathley IV]

Jews would revere Abraham’s obedience as his way of “earning” salvation. However, Paul noted Abraham was not counted as righteous AFTER the Law was given but BEFORE! Like the Jew, we carry about the false notion that our works count “for something.” But, God is clear; all our works are like filthy rags regardless if we are Jew or Gentile.

So the bottom line question is this: are we still trying to be justified in the eyes of God on our balance scale of works or just trusting God’s way of faith alone? When we stand before God in eternity, we cannot look back at the line behind us and ask, “What about him.”
Trust God today!

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God the Father and His Son

1Cor 15 Our Father God allowed His precious Son to die, be buried and rise according to the scripture. Without each part the gospel message lacks its truthfulness and power. The preaching of it is without merit and is in vain. The resurrection is proof of the efficacy of Christ’s death but that is not what saves us. The cross was that payment, his death was that which saves. 1Co 1:18 For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Now by that resurrection power Christ became a life-giving spirit to all who believe. Because of that death, burial and resurrection we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in the moment, in the blink of an eye, at the last trumpet. This mortality will put on immortality. The Father God’ work of redemption will be revealed as a beautiful tapestry of the image of the one who gave His life.

Beloved, Psalm 139:14 tells us that we are beautifully and wonderfully crafted by Our Father God.  Here’s a question to ponder. Are you, am I, allowing God to fashion his garment upon us so that we may reveal his love and power to those who still walk without the garment of salvation? 

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Lifestyle Application

Telling about what God has done

1 Cor 9-11 Paul’s counsel applies to us today. Some will always scrutinize our walk and work, but we choose to live by the higher law. Why might we choose this when Jesus proclaimed that those who proclaim the gospel should be paid for that work? Just as Paul chose to live and work as a volunteer, so do those who offer their services as a free ministry such as Bible.org’s all volunteer staff. He was unashamed of the gospel message, for it is God’s power to save. Paul asked how he could charge for this miraculous power that God unleashes when one comes to the Savior. Paul saw himself in the role of a servant and steward so that he could offer the gospel free of charge. Is this how we see ourselves? God has given us a gift, and it is this: we are His servants fitted with the gospel of peace to be proclaimed freely.

Paul is teaching some life principles here that come directly out of Psalm 78. “We will tell the next generation about the Lord’s praiseworthy acts so that the next generation, children yet to be born, might know about them. They will grow up and tell their descendants about them.” As we receive the gospel freely, we are to offer it freely.” 

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Acts 15 “The Doctrine of Faith Alone”

Dr. Luke again has brought us full circle from Acts 2 to here, showing us the overwhelming presence of God as the emerging church victoriously overcomes the works of Satan. He has shown us the character qualities of God: “a God of forgiveness, merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and unfailing in your loyal love.” [Nehemiah 9:17] Now, once again, Satan seeks to divide and conquer through a doctrinal controversy that the Judaizers (those religious Jews who followed the Law scrupulously) brought to a head by claiming one must be circumcised first before one can receive salvation. 

We stand on the sidelines through this Jerusalem council, witnessing the debate between the believing Jews, the Apostles, and Paul and Barnabas. But, it is Peter who finally, after hearing all of the back and forth, stands and reminds them all that it is God alone who converts and cleanses the heart. God alone bestows the Holy Spirit on those who bow the knee. It happens regardless if one is a Jew or a Gentile, as witnessed by the conversion of the Samaritans and Cornelius. The key is this: “we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus,” and it is “ by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God;” [Eph 2:8]. What a gift God has bestowed upon us! We are saved not from obeying and following religious rituals but by taking a step of faith. Have you taken the step of faith?

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God Loves All!

Acts 10: Differences exist between being a “God-fearer” and a “God-believer.” Cornelius falls into the first category. He fears God, and in the only way he knows, he seeks this God that he knows about but does not know personally. We meet the Cornelius’ as we wander through our day-to-day activities. If asked, they say, yes, I “believe” in a God, but they do not “know” God in a personal way. Thus, this story about Cornelius is significant for us. It means we must recognize that God has called them, for he is unwilling that any should perish. Then, we step out of our comfort zone to share our faith. Peter, like us, is being nudged by the Spirit to take this step towards a Gentile he does not know and one that he considers to be apart from God’s blessings. God’s ways are mysterious but deliberate when he learns that one is hungering, but they do not know God’s love and salvation.

It is also significant that God calls Cornelius by name, for this is our assurance that God knows us by name whether we are a “God-fearer” or a “God-believer.” God has heard the prayers of Cornelius, and He has the answer through Simon Peter. Cornelius’ hunger to know this God of the Jews is relevant, for this is our world. In addition, Peter is much like us in so many ways. We understand and believe in God but are hesitant to share our faith for many reasons. But God sees and hears the hearts of the lost and uses us to “go and tell the good news” of his love and His forgiveness.

Do you know someone who is a “God-fearer” but not a “God-believer?” Let God move you and use you!

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Climate Change?

Joel 1-3 Climate Change is the buzzword of the day. We hear about it and are reminded that the cause is humans and their thirst for fossil fuels. Yet, in the years 1930-1939, the USA experienced what has been termed the Dust Bowl. It was because the farmers in the Midwest over-plowed and removed the grasslands that had been there for centuries and, in times of extreme weather, could protect the land. It was 6 long years before the drought abated and the land would rest. Joel saw the devastation of the land not by wind or drought but by the invasion of locusts. History tells us that this lasted over three years. In that time, the seed saved from the previous year was eaten, the harvest of the current year and the seed to be used for the next year. Joel used that picture to show the Israelites the ravages of sin in their lives and how God would use the impending judgment of the Babylonians to get their attention.

What does God have to do to get ‘my’ attention? Does He have to use droughts, locusts, or another natural disaster to cause you and me to fall to our knees to repent? Here in Texas, we have gone over 55 days without a drop of rain and extreme temperatures, but are we seeking His face or just complaining like the people in Malachi did? How often do we behave like petulant children when God is seeking our return to Him? Joel reminded the people to wake up and seek His face for restoration. Sadly, they did not, and our nation seems to be on the same wavelength. Today may we seek the Lord and live! Seek the Lord while He may be found! 

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The Sovereign Lord…

Ezekiel 38-39 End of the End

God has spoken, and it will come to pass that all of God’s enemies will be found in their guilt. That was then, but this is today, so how do we take a passage like this and make it relevant? Look about you, Christian, and see the enemies of our souls. They are in our midst in social media and in false teachers and preachers. Peter told his audience to be sober and alert, for the enemy of our souls is not quiet but is like a roaring lion stalking his prey. [1 Peter 5:8] A former pastor said he has a “hit list” of those who need salvation and those who profess but do not possess by their life the living Word of God.

Ezekiel is shown the enemies of His people. Like then, we have today those around our world who say they will “devise an evil plan.” [Ezek 38:10] But, God is sovereign, and His plan will supersede any that the enemy devises. Even in Ezekiel 38, it is the Sovereign Lord who speaks and reminds them He has placed His prophets in the world to proclaim His zeal and His fury to ‘make my holy name known in the midst of my people, Israel.” [Ezek 38:7] God gave Israel His prophets, but the greatest prophet came in the Living Word of God: Christ!

Be alert beloved! Be on your guard! Jesus said, stay awake and pray that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. [Matt 26:41]

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Choices and Destiny 

Ezekiel 19 Yes, you are free to make choices, but you are not free from those consequences. As noted, the rich man in Luke 16:19-31 will live through eternity with the choice he made here on earth. He can’t blame God, for God has provided all the evidence one needs to accept or reject Him. The apostle Paul wrote: “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.” [Rom 1:20] 

Richard Dawkins is in the news again as he seeks to undermine the beliefs of Christians and those seeking. Yet, one day, he may find himself as the rich man with no avenue of redemption. Yet, on the other side is the author Sarah Young of “Jesus Calling,” who is now seeing Jesus face to face as she passed away today. 

Choose ye this day whom you will serve. Wisdom is found in hearing from God about your destiny. 

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