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].
The gospel of Christ is good news!
It’s good news because righteousness comes by faith alone. We do not have to earn it. In fact, we can’t. Jesus already earned it for us. He took our place on the cross so we could start fresh (spiritually born again with a new heart) just as if we had never sinned.
[To make sure we understand what sin is, God gave us His law and a conscience that bothers us when we knowingly disregard His commands. The Ten Commandments tell us very clearly what God expects of us. He commands that we have no other gods, make no images to worship and don’t take His Name in vain. He commanded Israel to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy. He requires that we honor our parents. He forbids murdering, adultery, stealing, lying and coveting. And when these commands are publicly displayed people live better. That’s why Satan wants them hidden away.]
When our hearts are renewed we are able to live a righteous life by following His example. We are not instantly perfect in thought and action, but our spirit is perfected in relationship with the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, because we have the become the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. We are free to choose to do the right thing! And, as we walk in love and spend time in the Word and prayer, we grow in the knowledge of the truth and mature in the likeness of Christ.
In sharing the gospel we will see the power of God to salvation. The Word of God spread abroad like good seeds will not fail to produce a crop, by the grace of God. And, those who sow the Word into the lives of others will reap blessings, as Isaiah tells us. Blessed are those who sow beside all waters, who send out freely the feet of the ox and the donkey [Isaiah 32:20].
The righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, as it is written, the just shall live by faith. Living by faith is not only an ultimate promise of eternal life, but also the way to live our daily lives in this present world. We also live by faith now. The Holy Spirit brings the Word of God from our hearts into our minds and leads us in the paths of righteousness. As we follow His scripture based promptings by faith and do what is right our Heavenly Father takes care of us and our faith grows. Faith leads to more faith like walking on stepping stones till we safely reach the other side.
The enemy of our souls is busy trying to keep us away from the Holy Bible. He wants us weak. He wants us deceived. He wants us discouraged. He wants us ignorant. He wants us faithless. Frankly, he wants us to go to Hell. And it is not because he wants to spend time with us. It is because he hates God! We are made in God’s image so he hates us too! He covets our relationship with God.
Contrary to some popular Christian videos, Hell is not Satan’s throne room, his party house, or his headquarters. He doesn’t live there now and will not be the ruler of Hell later. He will receive the greatest torment possible because he is the father of sin. He was the first rebel! The first sinner. The first liar. The first murderer. He is the lawless one. Since the beginning of creation he has been the father of all who follow him in rebellion against Yehovah God. And the Word of God tells us how to escape from his destructive influence.
Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up [James 4:7-10].
This is a good word. Please respond to it. God promises to lift up (exalt) all those who will humble themselves and turn from their wicked (like the devil) ways. Wherever you are, whatever you have done, Jesus is with you and will respond if you call on Him. But time is getting short. The end of the Church Age is near. The signs of the times abound. The world is being shaken as a warning siren. Please pay attention and turn to Jesus while you have the chance. Today is the day of salvation. Jesus loves you.
There is no charge for this great salvation. It is offered freely to all mankind because Jesus paid for it in full on the cross of Calvary. Please put your trust in Him.
And this brings us back to where we started.
The just shall LIVE (now and forever) by faith.
May the Lord add His blessing to His Word and draw you to Himself today.
[ALL SCRIPTURES NKJV]
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