StrawberryQueen
Well-Known Member
I'm subscribed to a "sermon" a day email service and I recieved two excellent emails on salvation today.
Just though I'd share, I know they're very long.
When I read these I felt so uplifted my eyes filled with tears.
His Amazing Grace
In the message "Strong In His Grace" we considered God's grace in the
process of Salvation and saw we can do nothing to earn a right standing
in His eyes. Our Heavenly Father poured out His love when He gave us
Jesus; "But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were
still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).
God, through His amazing grace, gave us His Son and said, "Whoever
believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John
3:16). We are allowed into an eternal relationship with God because of
His grace and are strongly exhorted to live each day knowing our
relationship is maintained by the same grace in which it began, not by
anything we do or accomplish.
There are many things we are called to do as a Child of God, many ways
to serve and honor our Heavenly Father, many ways to be obedient and
seek after holiness; but we can NEVER fall into the trap of thinking,
even for a moment, that what we do adds to our Salvation by grace. As
much as faith in Jesus Christ is absolutely necessary for our
Salvation, faith in Jesus Christ is also absolutely sufficient.
Paul delivered this message in many of his letters, but nowhere as
strong as in his letter to the Galatian churches. He had preached the
message of Salvation by grace, but they had been led into a false
teaching which said they must earn their Salvation by first submitting
to the Old Testament Law. Paul warned that if we fall into this same
trap, "Christ will be of no value to you at all" (Galatians 5:2). The
things we do have value, but the value is not in the religious activity
or product we produce; rather, the only thing God will recognize is the
faith in our heart which ought to motivate ALL we seek to accomplish.
Galatians 5:6
"The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love."
We show our love for God through worship, thanksgiving, prayer, study,
obedience, and faithful service; and we acknowledge His saving grace
with a humble spirit which does not allow us to become puffed up or
feel deserving of our Salvation. We demonstrate our love for others as
we refuse to cause harm, in word or deed, refuse to harbor
unforgiveness, and actively look for opportunities to serve. And we
show an understanding of God's grace as we express our love without
requiring others to earn our love or even love us in return.
Let's receive His grace with a thankful heart, knowing we bring nothing
to the cross besides our sin which He then takes away. Let's trust
only in His grace, given to us through faith, and express our faith
with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength as we love Him and love
one another. Let's begin to live this life like we truly understand
His amazing grace.
Have a Great Day!
Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries
Strong In His Grace
When we are brought to the point of belief - the point where we see our
sin, desire to change, and acknowledge God's Son as our only way to
Heaven - we ask, in faith, for Jesus to forgive our sins and be our
Savior. At that very moment, the grace of God abounds, His Spirit
transforms our heart and He picks us up as His child: "For it is by
grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from
yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can
boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).
The moment of true Salvation is without question the most significant
event in our Christian life. In that moment, we are "born again" (John
3:7) and become a "new creation" in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17) through
the power of the Holy Spirit; "Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the
Spirit gives birth to spirit" (John 3:6). In fact, the moment of
Salvation is so significant that even if we seem to stumble through
every step past that point, we still have reason to rejoice with every
breath - we are children of the King and will spend all eternity in His
glorious Kingdom.
As we continue on this sometimes rocky journey, we are to strive for
holiness and purposeful worship in our life. We are to diligently seek
Him and "learn the secret of being content in any and every situation"
(Philippians 4:12). We must learn to "trust in the Lord with all our
heart" (Proverbs 3:5), but we must also remember that "apart from Me
{Jesus}, you can do NOTHING" (John 15:5). If we strive for anything in
our own strength, we are all destined to fall.
2 Timothy 2:1
"You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus."
This means we must continue to trust in His grace and in His grace
alone. We did nothing to earn our Salvation, and we can do nothing to
maintain our right standing before God besides believing in His Son;
"Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now
trying to attain your goal by human effort?" (Galatians 3:3).
We are saved by the grace of God and we must continue to live by this
same grace: "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord,
continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in
the faith as you were taught" (Colossians 2:6). Our Heavenly Father
will determine our path to holiness, purpose, contentment, and trust -
and His grace will equip us with all we need for the journey.
Let's completely trust in the saving grace of Jesus! Let's apply the
strength of His grace today in every trial and temptation. Let's live
a life of pure and holy devotion by always remaining strong in His grace.
Have a Great Day!
Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries
Just though I'd share, I know they're very long.
When I read these I felt so uplifted my eyes filled with tears.
