"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." Romans 1:16-17
How are we to respond to the promises of God? His promises are not automatically at work in every life that hears them. Some respond correctly, while others respond improperly. Some enjoy the benefits of God's promises, whereas others do not. In these two verses, we are given the fundamental response to all that pertains to the gospel of grace. That response is faith. This would certainly include living by the promises of God.
Paul was unashamed of the gospel due to its effective character. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation." The good news about Jesus Christ is essentially the grace of God proclaimed to man: "the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24). This grace is God's power poured out unto the saving of souls. This power is experienced by all who place their faith in the gospel, whether Jew or Gentile: "for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek." The gospel is effective, because it holds forth God's righteousness to sinful man, if he is willing to trust in the Lord. "For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith."
The gospel is referred to in the scriptures as a promise. "And this is the promise that He has promised us - - eternal life" (1 John 2:25). The gospel is often stated in the form of promises: "But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved . . . whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Acts 15:11 and Romans 10:13). These gospel promises are partaken of by faith. "The just shall live by faith."
In addition to initial salvation, the good news of God's grace includes many other promises from God. "I will build My church . . . You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free . . . When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth" (Matthew 16:18; John 8:32; and 16:13). All of these promises are experienced by faith as well, because "the just shall live by faith" - - continually, as well as initially.
O Lord God, I want to respond to Your promises properly. How gracious that You only ask me to trust in what You have promised to do. I do not want to ignore Your promises or doubt them. I want to live by relying upon every promise You have ever made. In Your faithful name I pray, Amen.
Day-By-Day By Grace by Bob Hoekstra
American Tract Society -- Devotions
www.atstracts.org
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Claims With Proof
As we continue with our thoughts about Jesus and the Path Of Life we are to emulate; many people and books claim to guide us to a better life. Many claim to speak for, or about, God. Making loud claims is easy. The hard part is proving those claims to be true. Most books by great thinkers do not try to offer real proof for what they say about God. The Bible not only offers good evidence, it is itself the proof! Remember that the Bible was written over a long period of history. Because of this, the Bible stands alone in being able to combine two things: It could foretell coming events. And, much later, it could then report their fulfillment.
Earlier Bible writers told of things yet to come. Then, even centuries later, other Bible writers saw and recorded those things coming true. These are not 'guesses' about small, hidden happenings. Many of these prophecies deal with entire nations, and world-changing events. Many of the prophecies are about the Christ.
Prophecies showed the line of parents through whom He would be born (Genesis 22:18; 49:10; Psalm 89; Jeremiah 23:5). They predicted the exact place of His birth (Micah 5:2). They described His nature and work (Psalm 2; 110; Isaiah 9:6-7; 11:1-10). They foretold His death, and even His victory over death (Isaiah 53).
This picture of the Christ was drawn hundreds of years before the coming of Jesus. Yet Jesus fit every part of this prophetic picture so well that He is now called Jesus, the Christ. The evidences about Christ are so strong that the world has never been the same since His arrival.
As the school systems debate over the use of "BC" & "AD" and "BCE" & "ACE", let us remember that Christ alone affected the world so profoundly that even the calendar bears the evidence of His time on earth.
God bless you!
Earlier Bible writers told of things yet to come. Then, even centuries later, other Bible writers saw and recorded those things coming true. These are not 'guesses' about small, hidden happenings. Many of these prophecies deal with entire nations, and world-changing events. Many of the prophecies are about the Christ.
Prophecies showed the line of parents through whom He would be born (Genesis 22:18; 49:10; Psalm 89; Jeremiah 23:5). They predicted the exact place of His birth (Micah 5:2). They described His nature and work (Psalm 2; 110; Isaiah 9:6-7; 11:1-10). They foretold His death, and even His victory over death (Isaiah 53).
This picture of the Christ was drawn hundreds of years before the coming of Jesus. Yet Jesus fit every part of this prophetic picture so well that He is now called Jesus, the Christ. The evidences about Christ are so strong that the world has never been the same since His arrival.
As the school systems debate over the use of "BC" & "AD" and "BCE" & "ACE", let us remember that Christ alone affected the world so profoundly that even the calendar bears the evidence of His time on earth.
God bless you!
Friday, July 07, 2006
The Way
I haven't been here for some time now. I have been doing a lot of studying and work around the house. I read a bible lesson today that really touched on the ministry God has placed on my heart.
As stated in my ministry focus statement, we are trying to help men get on and stay on the "Path Of Life" which is Jesus' way. The Bible often pictures life as a journey, in which we must choose the road we will travel. We should be careful because, "There is a way that seems right to a man but in the end it leads to death (Proverbs 16:25)."
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it (Matthew 7:13-14)."
Although there may seem to be many roads (paths,) in reality they come down to two choices. How can we see which way to take?
"I am the light of the world," Jesus said, "Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness" (John 8:12). As for the gate which leads to life, He is that Gate (John 10:9). He is also the Way (John 14:6; Hebrews 10:20). All who enter by this Gate, and follow this Way, come to the City prepared by God Himself. In this City God meets all our needs (Hebrews 11:16; 12:22; Revelation 21:22).
It is not surprising, then, that early Christianity was called "the Way" (Acts 24:14,22). This "Way" is not just one more idea, among many ideas, about life. The Way of the Bible brings us to a Person, a Guide who says of Himself, "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life" 14:6).
Please let this be a reminder to us all that The Way (Path) is Jesus and his sacrifice for our sin.
Don't forget to share the love of Christ with someone today!
Bless you all.
As stated in my ministry focus statement, we are trying to help men get on and stay on the "Path Of Life" which is Jesus' way. The Bible often pictures life as a journey, in which we must choose the road we will travel. We should be careful because, "There is a way that seems right to a man but in the end it leads to death (Proverbs 16:25)."
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it (Matthew 7:13-14)."
Although there may seem to be many roads (paths,) in reality they come down to two choices. How can we see which way to take?
"I am the light of the world," Jesus said, "Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness" (John 8:12). As for the gate which leads to life, He is that Gate (John 10:9). He is also the Way (John 14:6; Hebrews 10:20). All who enter by this Gate, and follow this Way, come to the City prepared by God Himself. In this City God meets all our needs (Hebrews 11:16; 12:22; Revelation 21:22).
It is not surprising, then, that early Christianity was called "the Way" (Acts 24:14,22). This "Way" is not just one more idea, among many ideas, about life. The Way of the Bible brings us to a Person, a Guide who says of Himself, "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life" 14:6).
Please let this be a reminder to us all that The Way (Path) is Jesus and his sacrifice for our sin.
Don't forget to share the love of Christ with someone today!
Bless you all.
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