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Oh So Gracious

9/16/2015

Romans 4:1-5 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? (2) For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. (3) For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. (4) Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. (5) But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. (KJV)

Williams New Testament Romans 4:1-5: 1. Then what are we to say about our forefather Abraham? 2. For if he was considered in right standing with God on the condition of what he did, he has something to boast of, but not before God. 3. For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham put his faith in God, and it was credited to him as right standing with God." 4. Now when a workman gets his pay, it is not considered from the point of view of a favor but of an obligation; 5. but the man who does no work, but simply puts his faith in Him who brings the ungodly into right standing with Himself, has his faith credited to him as right standing.

When you really stop and think about God’s plan of salvation aren’t you glad it is not based on works? Or how about our reward of inheritance, that too is something that I wouldn’t want to be based on a debt, something I had to earn. If we all got what was coming to us or what we truly deserved based on works, then we would be back under the old grueling law, a place our Lord doesn’t desire for anyone anymore. Actually if we all got what was coming to us we would still be under a death sentence, separated from God, thus why He sent His Son to bring reconciliation to mankind. So what work did Abraham do to be in right standing with God, which is what the word righteousness means? If you said nothing (however, he was willing to believe in someone greater than himself), then you too would be headed in the right direction to be in right standing with God as well. Personally I am relieved, glad that salvation isn’t left up to me or my way of thinking, and certainly not according to my strength or abilities, but rather I can cast all my cares upon the Lord and let Him do the caring for me. In fact long before it ever occurred to me to cast my cares His way, even before the foundation of the world, God made a plan for my life, a path He chose for me as well as anyone else who was willing to simply believe in Him. Yet with that in mind, the simplicity of this plan by a God whose ways and thoughts are so much higher than mine, why at times do we still doubt or think we need to be doing something other than putting our faith in God and trusting in what He is able to do if only we will let Him?

1 Corinthians 3:18-21 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. (19) For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. (20) And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. (21) Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; (KJV)

Strong’s definition for fool:
3474 moros (mo-ros'); probably from the base of 3466; dull or stupid (as if shut up), i.e. heedless, (morally) blockhead, (apparently) absurd: KJV-- fool (-ish, X -ishness).

Now before you go out and start acting like one of the above definitions because you just read where Paul said ‘let him become a fool, that he may be wise’ keep in mind that many think they can instruct God on how His plan of salvation works which they base more on works than on believing. I mean, if mankind is so smart and intelligent then why when the word of God specifically tells us there is one Lord and one faith, that in this country alone we have thousands of different so called faiths; now talk about blockheads. What man calls wisdom! Especially the wisdom of this world and its worldly preachers who base their salvation on works and not a simple belief in the completed work Jesus Christ has done on our behalf. While many profess themselves to be wise, they are in essence fools when teaching any other doctrine than the doctrine of Christ and the work He has begun and desires to do within the believer. So when someone tries to tell you that you have to do something in order to be in right standing with God, which most of the time means giving more money to their organizations, simple truth is that it is your ability to believe in the message being delivered by Christ to His people on a daily basis is what will keep one strong in the Lord and the power of His might. How can two walk together unless they be in agreement? It would be to your advantage to build a relationship with the Father through Jesus Christ so that you can hear His message of faith firsthand and no longer seek the glory of mankind. Nothing is more foolish, absurd, heedless and stupid than to see a bunch of people patting themselves on the back and boasting about all the things they are doing for God, and not the other way around.

John 14:8-11 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. (9) Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? (10) Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. (11) Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake. (KJV)

Here is a different take on salvation, did you ever stop and think that this man Jesus of Nazareth had to rely on hearing and obeying in order to attain salvation for himself? While some claim he was God, the simple fact is that he was a man just like us believers seeking to please our Father; and that in order for him to inherit eternal life he too had to be willing and obedient to what God had planned for his life. Jesus was a man who was anointed with the Holy Ghost and with power so that he could manifest God’s plan of salvation and be an example of how to live a life that is pleasing to Him. The same Spirit that worked in Him is in us as well. Now it is a matter of hearing the words of God and learning to speak not of ourselves but what the Spirit within is speaking. Jesus of Nazareth was the first born, or the first born again man into the realm of the Spirit, to demonstrate a life based on the grace of God through faith and not that of himself; willing to lay down His life for us. Are you in the Father this day and is His word working mightily in you? Are you believing in Him because of what He is doing or are you trying to base your salvation on your own works? In order to operate in the wisdom of God one needs to realize how futile and foolish their own thinking is.

Matthew 6:31-34 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (32) (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. (33) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (34) Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. (KJV)

Once you come into agreement with God’s plan of salvation, and the more you remain in that realm, the more you see it contradicts the way of the world. First and foremost one needs to seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness then all that is needed is added after we hear His take on it. While many seek to take care of the outward man first which is foolish, few are willing to enter into the realm of God, cease from their own works, and allow Him to be their source. The Spirit is willing, it is the flesh and its carnal thinking that is weak and futile. God’s gift is of grace not based on our works; which is so simple and yet so hard for many to let go and trust in the Lord with all their heart and no longer lean unto their own understanding.

God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Boast

9/15/2015

Ephesians 2:7-10 That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. (8) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast. (10) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (KJV)

Here is a fool proof plan of salvation that eliminates our works and gives credit where the credit is truly due. Some today boast of their works they claim to be doing for God; in fact now I see where they use the infomercial approach, hand picking people to do interviews that say what they want said concerning their ministries, which by the way is just that, their ministries and not the Lord’s. If the Lord is not leading you this day, if you are not walking in the Spirit in the work He had ordained for you to do, then you are none of His.

Are you letting the peace of God rule in all your decisions and the path you are walking this day or are you following one that is more people pleasing? Now if you really wish to boast about something then why not boast about the work that the Lord is doing and has done for His people, and the joy and peace you are experiencing because of His good work. A true minister of God is one that will point the people to the Lord and teach them all that is available in Christ, while many pretenders are just patting themselves on the back and diverting the attention toward their own works and what they think they are accomplishing for the Lord, like He really needs our help. Last time I looked, we being all mankind, were like helpless sheep headed for the slaughter until God so graciously sent His Son on our behalf to redeem us from our destructions. Remember a guy named Job, who when he kept his mouth shut long enough was able to hear his answer from the Lord when God basically asked him if he knew better than He did. Job chapter 38 on gives a good account of what happens when man thinks he can now instruct God and give Him counsel and advice.

1 Corinthians 1:27-31 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; (28) And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: (29) That no flesh should glory in his presence. (30) But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (31) That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. (KJV)

Strong’s definition for glory & glorieth:
2744 kauchaomai (kow-khah'-om-ahee); from some (obsolete) base akin to that of aucheo (to boast) and 2172; to vaunt (in a good or a bad sense):
KJV-- (make) boast, glory, joy, rejoice.

God chose the foolish things, things that are nought or nothing, to work through and manifest Himself in. God didn’t choose you because you were so smart or because you had your life so together, but rather just the opposite was true. Many people don’t think they need God in their life and consider it a sign of weakness when others seek the Lord for strength. The wisdom of God is foolish to mankind because their carnal mind is enmity with God and unable to see or comprehend the things of His realm, many times because it is just so simple.

If you are looking for something to glory in, or even boast about, then why not boast about what the Lord is doing and give Him the credit not only for the good work He has begun in you, but is willing to perform in you unto the end. I am wearied with all these religious organizations and their larger than life performances, which remind me of the movies that come out these days with all the special effects, and portray their imaginary account and views of salvation that are not based on reality.

Psalms 34:1-4 I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. (2) My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. (3) O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. (4) I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. (KJV)

God so graciously gave us access into His kingdom which is based on His love and mercy and certainly not by our own merit. Pride always proceeds a fall; so rather than being humble and keeping that mindset many decide to take back control of their lives again and end up worse than they were in the beginning. God has a perfect plan for each and every person who is willing and obedient to walk a narrow and straight path that leads to eternal life. Many think they can help God and make His plan more effective by their works. While God’s word is quite specific to point out throughout the Bible that His word has gone forth throughout the whole world, mankind thinks it is their duty to deliver His message through satellites and TV, and that God is waiting for them to deliver it before the Lord returns. Didn’t we have an example of this back at the tower of Babel when man thought they could get closer to God through their own devices? God is not waiting on or relying on mankind to deliver His message, or carry out His plan of salvation, however, He is able to speak through those that are humble enough and realize their salvation is based on grace and certainly not of their works. God knew the one man He could send and rely on to deliver His message and lay down His life for the perfect sacrifice, that being Jesus Christ. So when God chooses to use man to speak or manifest His plan of salvation, He does it through Jesus Christ and those that hear His message and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.

Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, (12) Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; (13) Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; (14) Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (KJV)

I know, I know, someone you saw on TV or heard on the radio said you need to give money to their organization so that they could go to a place where no one has heard or had to opportunity to hear the word of God. And yes I know we have been given the great commission to go into all the world. Now it is a matter of hearing the Lord of where our place in the body of Christ is, what office He is calling us to, and then learning how and where to deliver His message so it will prosper in the thing where He sent it. The good works we should be zealous of is the good work that He has begun within and desires to perform and perfect in all the believers. The teaching and the message we need to be delivering should be pointing the people to God the Father through His Son Jesus Christ and not toward mankind and its fallen nature and ideas.

2 Corinthians 10:17-18 But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. (18) For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth. (KJV)

Many are called and seek their approval and praise from mankind, while few are left that God has chosen to work in and through to deliver His message of love. It wasn’t mankind that got you into the kingdom of God, and it is certainly not mankind that will keep you in that realm, but rather a love for the Lord based on what He has done and not what others try to take credit for. So let’s give credit where the credit truly is due; I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me because truly He that is within me is so much greater than those that are still stuck in the realm of the world and its fallen ways.

God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2 John 9

Oh So Gracious

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