YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH FOR GOD’S USE

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SUNDAY OCTOBER 6, 2019.

SUBJECT : YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH FOR GOD’S USE!

Memory verse: 

“

And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the LORD: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent.

" 

(Joshua 6 vs 17.)

READ: : Acts 9 vs 1 - 7:

9:1: Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,

9:2: and asked letters from him to to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
9:3: As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven.
9:4: Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying unto him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
9:5: And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. It is hard for thee to kick against the goads.”

9:6: So he trembling and astonished said, “Lord, what do you want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

INTIMATION:

God works through people. He created us in His image and after His likeness. God obviously did not create us exactly like Himself because God has no physical body. Instead, we are reflections of God’s glory. We have the ability to His character in our love, patience, forgiveness, kindness, and faithfulness. Knowing that we are made in God’s image and thus share many of His characteristics provides a solid basis for self worth. Human worth is not based on possessions, achievements, physical attractiveness, or public acclaim. Instead, it is based on being made in God’s image. Because we bear God’s image, we can feel positive about ourselves. Criticizing or downgrading ourselves is criticizing what God has made and the abilities He has given us. 

All the people God created are useful to Him. He can use anybody, our sin nature not withstanding. For instance, in bringing our Messiah—Jesus Christ—into the world, God used all kinds of people. The study of genealogy of Christ in the first 17 verses of the gospel of Matthew (1 vs 1 - 17), we meet 46 people whose lifetimes span over 2000 years. All were ancestors of Jesus, but they varied considerably in personality, spirituality, and experience. Some were heroes of faith—like Abraham, Isaac, Ruth, and David. Some had shady republicans—like Rahab and Tamar. Many were very ordinary—like Hezron, Ram, Nahshon, and Achim. And others were evil—like Manasseh and Abijah. God’s works in history is not limited by human failures or sins, and He works through ordinary people. Just as God used all kinds of people to bring His Son into the world, He uses all kinds today to accomplish His will. And God wants to use you.

Some of the women mentioned in the genealogy (Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba—here called “her who had been the wife of Uriah”) raise both ethnic and ethical questions. At least two of them were not Israelites by birth and all four of them had reputations that could have made them unmentionable in an ancestral tree. Yet this was the line into which God’s Son was born. Jesus’ genealogy makes it clear, not that there were a few disreputable people in His family, but that all of them were sinners. God sent His Son as Savior of all people. No matter what the sins of the people, God’s plan was never thwarted. It continues to unfold. That plan includes you. 

Another example is the apostle Paul. No person, apart from Jesus Himself, shaped the history of Christianity like the apostle Paul. Even before he was a believer, his actions were significant. His frenzied persecution of Christians following Stephen’s death got the church started in obeying Christ’s final command to take the gospel worldwide. Paul’s encounter with Jesus changed his life. He never lost his fierce intensity, but from then on it was channeled for the gospel. 

Paul was very religious. His training under Gamaliel was the finest available. His intentions and efforts were sincere. He was a good Pharisee who knew the Bible and sincerely believed that this Christian movement was dangerous for Judaism. Paul hated the Christian faith and persecuted Christians without mercy. When he personally met Jesus on the road to Damascus, his life was never the same anymore. God did not waste any part of Paul—his background, his training, his citizenship, his mind, or even his weaknesses. Are you willing to let God do the same for you? You will never know All He can do with you until you allow Him to have all that you are!

Another example in Scripture is Rahab. She was a prostitute in the city of Jericho. As a prostitute, she lived on the edge of society, one stop short of rejection. God used her her and gave her the courage to hide the spies and lie to the authorities. God works through people—like Rahab—whom we are inclined to reject. God remembers her because of her faith, not her profession. If at times you feel like a failure, remember that Rahab rose above her situation through her trust in God. You are good enough for God’s use. Make yourself available today!

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You for my self-worth; for I am made in Your image and after Your likeness. O Lord, I am available for service to You. Here I am use me, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

INSPIRING GOSPEL SONG TO WATCH

New Video - Nwata Nna (translated Father's Child) by ClaudyGOD. Premiered September 28th, 2019
https://youtu.be/isSQrz6_Hlw
youtube.com

WORSHIP GOD ONLY!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SATURDAY OCTOBER 5, 2019.

SUBJECT : WORSHIP GOD ONLY!

Memory verse: 

“

And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who  have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

" 

(Revelation 19 vs 10.)

READ: : Acts 14 vs 8 - 15:

14:8: And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother's womb, who had never walked.
14:9: This man heard Paul speaking. Paul observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed,
14:10: said with a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet!” And he leaped and walked.
14:11: Now, when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!”
14:12: And Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermès, because he was the chief speaker.
14:13: Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, intending and to sacrifice with the multitude.
14:14: But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes, and ran in among the multitude, crying out
14:15: and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them,

INTIMATION:

Worship is to make obeisance, do reverence to. It is used as an act of homage or reverence. Regarding God Almighty, it is the appropriate response to God’s self-revelation. The worship of God is nowhere defined in the Scripture. Broadly it may be regarded as the direct acknowledgement to God; of His nature, attributes, ways and claims, whether by the outgoing of the heart in praise or thanksgiving or by deed done in such acknowledgement. 

God is Supreme, and there is none like Him (Exodus 9 vs 14; Isaiah 46 vs 9). In recognition of God’s supremacy and unique attributes, the Scripture says we should worship Him alone. In our memory verse, this truth is reiterated; the angel instructs John to “worship God,” and worship is a major emphasis in the book of Revelation. The Scripture says, “Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I had heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book: worship God.” (Revelation 22 vs 8 - 9.) 

In the passage we read today, the apostle Paul, after performing a miracle of raising the crippled man in Lystra, observed that the people wanted to honor and sacrifice to them as gods. Paul and Barnabas refusing to allow such, tore their clothes, and ran in among the multitude, cried out in a loud voice and said to the people, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you...” 

In the same manner, the apostle Peter corrected Cornelius when he visited him at Caesarea as instructed by the Spirit of the Lord: “As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshipped him. But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I am also a man.” (Acts 10 vs 25 - 26.)

However, this wrong practice of not worshiping God alone is common among believers. They put aside worshiping the Creator in order to worship the creation. Their reverence and worship of their spiritual leaders are far more pronounced than what the angel and apostles admonished their followers not to do. It is a common site in our churches and fellowships where the congregants fall on their knees before the spiritual leaders to acknowledge them, even in ordinary greetings. While the name of Jesus is often called in vain and without reverence by many; a small occurrence in their lives, like something falling off their hands, occasions the shout of the name ‘Jesus.’ Where is the reverence of the name in such circumstance? The Lord says in Malachi 1 vs 6, says, “A son honors his father, and a servant his master, If then I am the Father, where is My honor? And if I am a Master, where is My reverence?”  

God should be worshipped alone. That we do not see Him, is not an excuse not to honor and worship Him appropriately. Reverence to His name should be at all times, and in all situations. Never use His name in vain: “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.” (Exodus 20 vs 7.) God’s name is special because it carries His personal identity. Using it frivolously or in a curse is so common today that we may fail to realize how serious it is. The way to use God’s name conveys how we really feel about Him. We should respect His name and use it appropriately, speaking it in praise or worship rather than in curse or jest. We should not take lightly the abuse or dishonor of His name.

Prayer: Abba Father, You are the only God, there is no other. You alone will I worship. Give me the grace to acknowledge You always for who You are, in all my ways, and to thank You for all You do, in Jesus’ Name I Have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

MIRACLES CAN DECEIVE!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

FRIDAY OCTOBER 4, 2019.

SUBJECT : MIRACLES CAN DECEIVE!

Memory verse: 

“

And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which He was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived.

" 

(Revelation 13 vs 14.)

READ: Exodus 7 vs 10 - 12; 19 - 22:

7:10: So Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh, and they did so, just as the LORD had commanded. And Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh and before his servants, and it became a serpent.

7:11: But Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers; so the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.

7:12: For every man threw down his rod, and they became serpents. But Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods.

7:19:Then the LORD spoke to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Take your rod and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt, over their streams, over their rivers, and over their ponds, and over all their pools of water, that they may become blood. And there shall be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in buckets of wood, and in pitchers of stone.’”
7:20: And Moses and Aaron did so, just as the LORD commanded. So he lifted up the rod and struck the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants. And all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood.
7:21: The fish that was in the river died, the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink the water of the river. So there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt.
7:22: Then the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments: and Pharaoh's heart grew hard, and he did not heed them; as the LORD had said.

INTIMATION:

Miracles can deceive. In this era of hardship in the world, many are using magic and sorcery to deceive many that are desperate for a solution or feebleminded. Although miracles can help us believe, and shows proofs of God’s power, it is dangerous to rely on them alone. Satan can imitate some parts of God’s work and lead people astray. True signs and miracles point us to Jesus Christ, but miracles alone can be deceptive. That is why we must ask with respect to each miracle we see: is this consistent with what God says in the Bible? 

Throughout the Bible we see miracles performed as proofs of God’s power, love, and authority. But in the Book Revelation chapter 13, we see counterfeit miracles performed to deceive. The second beast here gains influence through the signs and wonders that he can perform on behalf of the first beast. The second beast orders the people to worship a statue in honor of the first beast—a direct flouting of the second commandment (Exodus 20 vs 4 - 6). Allowing the Bible to guide our faith and practice will keep us from being deceived by false signs, however convincing they appear to be. Any teaching that contradicts God’s Word is false. 

In our contemporary society today, many are being deceived by these false prophets with their satanic manipulations of performing miracles. Their targets are the money of such people, and they often succeed in making fortunes from them, while drawing them farther away from Christ. According to Scripture in aRevelation, the beast that comes from the earth is identified as the false prophet: “And I saw three unclean frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of The whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.” (Revelation 16 vs 13 - 14.) He is a counterfeit of the Holy Spirit. He seems to do good, but the purpose of his miracles is to deceive.

Because the beast, the Antichrist, is a false messiah, he will be a counterfeit of Christ and will even stage a false resurrection (Revelation 13 vs 14). People will follow and worship him because they will be awed by his power and miracles (Revelation 13 vs 3 - 4). He will unite the world under his leadership (Revelation 13 vs 7 - 8), and He will control the world economy (Revelation 13 vs 16 - 17). 

People are impressed by power and will follow those who display it forcefully or offer it to their followers. But those who follow the beast will only be fooling themselves: He will use his power to manipulate others, to point to himself, and promote evil plans. God, by contrast, uses His infinitely greater power to love and build up. Don’t be misled by claims of great miracles or reports about a resurrection or reincarnation of someone claiming to be Christ. When Jesus returns, he will reveal Himself to everyone (Matthew 24 vs 23 - 28).

In the passage we read today, we saw Pharaoh’s magicians, who duplicated Moses’ signs in Egypt. God performed a miracle by turning Aaron’s rod into a serpent, and Pharaoh’s magicians did the same through trickery and sorcery. Their feats involved trickery or illusion, and they used satanic power, since worshiping gods of the underworld was part of their religion. Ironically, whenever they duplicated one of Moses’s plagues, it only made matters worse. If the magicians had been as powerful as God, they would have reversed the plagues, not added to them. 

Although miracles can help us believe, it is dangerous to rely on them alone. Satan can imitate some parts of God’s work and lead people astray. Pharaoh focused on the miracle rather than the message. We can avoid this error by letting the Word of God be the basis of our faith. No miracle from God would endorse any message that is contrary to the teachings of His Word.

The Scripture in Second Thessalonians 2 vs 9- 10 says, “The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” The lawless one will use “power, signs, and lying wonders” to deceive and draw a following. Miracles from God can help strengthen our faith and lead people to Christ, but all miracles are not necessarily from God. Christ’s miracles were significant, not just because of their power, but because of their purpose—to help, to heal, and to point us to God. 

The man of sin will have power to do amazing things, but his power will be from Satan. He will use this power to destroy and to lead people away from God and toward himself. If any so-called religious personality draws attention only to himself or herself, his or her work is not from God. Be careful and wise!

Prayer: Abba Father, open my eyes of understanding to differentiate between the true prophets and the false prophets, that I may not be led away from You by their false miracles, signs, and wonders, In Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

GOD’S CONCEPT OF PROSPERITY!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY OCTOBER 3, 2019.

SUBJECT : GOD’S CONCEPT OF PROSPERITY!

Memory verse: 

“

This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth; but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

" 

(Joshua 1 vs 8.)

READ: Genesis 39 vs 1 - 6:

39:1: Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. And Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him down there.

39:2: The LORD was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.
39:3: And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all he did to prosper in his hand.
39:4: So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Them he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put under his authority.
39:5: So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the LORD was on all that he had in the house and in the field.

39:6: Thus he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he did not know he had, except the bread which he ate. Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance.

INTIMATION:

Prosperity is described as the state of economic well-being and success. But God's concept of prosperity is quite distinct from the definition of economic well-being, though prosperity may include economic well-being. The major imports from our anchor Scripture in our memory verse is that God's concept of prosperity comes from obedience to God's Law, being strong and courageous to follow God's leading, and constantly reading, studying and meditating on God's Word—the Law, to ensure you observe them.

For many prosperity is controlling wealth and others through your possessions, with the inherent power and influence. Many think that prosperity and success come from having power, influential personal contacts, and a relentless desire to get ahead. But for God, it means being controlled by Him; being obedient to His instructions and laws. Therefore, to be prosperous and have good success, you must obey the rules of living found in God's Book of the Law. How strange to equate prosperity and success with obedience. God taught Joshua the following strategies he must follow to prosperous and successful; (1) be strong and courageous because the task ahead would not be easy, (2) obey God’s law, and (3) constantly read and study the Book of the Law—God’s Word. To be successful, follow God’s words to Joshua. You may not succeed by the world’s standard, but you will be a success in God’s eyes—and His opinion is most important.

Instances abound in the Scriptures of those that were prosperous and had good success by obeying God and following His leading. Our father in the faith, Abraham, through obedience became a friend to God, and was richly blessed by God: “And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the Lord blessed Abraham in all things."......"And the Scripture was fulfilled which says "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." And he was called the Friend of God."(Genesis 24 vs 1; James 2 vs 23.)

In the passage we read today, Joseph was a slave, but he was successful and prosperous in his master's house. It is inappropriate in our contemporary world (that views and acknowledges prosperity and success as the state of economic well-being - having money, possessions, and wealth) for a slave boy to be prosperous and successful in his master's house. 

Often we can’t see what the results or future benefits of following God will be. When we are not certain what to do, obedience to what God has revealed in the Scriptures is the only sure step we can take. Resolve to set aside time each day to read and think about God’s Word. Remind yourself of God’s words day and night. Act today on what you know God has said, and God will assure your success in carrying out His purposes. We accomplish so much when we obey God, but so little when we don’t. 

Prayer: Abba Father, in You all things consist. Endue me with the spirit of raw obedience to Your laws that I may be prosperous and have good success, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

WHERE ARE YOUR TREASURES?

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 2, 2019.

SUBJECT : WHERE ARE YOUR TREASURES?

Memory verse: 

“So When Jesus heard these things, He said to Him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven, and come, follow Me.”

 

(Luke 18 vs 22.)

READ: Matthew 6 vs 19 - 21: 

6:19: Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;

6:20: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

6:21: For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

INTIMATION:

A “treasure” is anything considered to be valuable. Such things are, by natural instinct, adequately cared for, and stored in safe places in order not to lose them. What are your treasures? And where are you laying them up for safety? Jesus made it clear that having your treasures wrongly laid up, leads to our hearts being in the wrong place. But when they are properly laid in safety, you are sure of not losing the stored value in them. Laying up your treasures on earth and earthly things is considered unsuitable because such earthly treasures are temporal; they can perish, stolen, become obsolete, and eventually be destroyed when the earth passes away (Mark 13 vs 31; Second Peter 3 vs 10.) 

Heavenly treasures are not in physical or material substances. They are values stored up in good deeds, and are the only thing you take along with you to eternity. God is not interested in your possessions, money, and wealth. He is only interested in what you use them to do while it lasted here on earth. He is interested on how you used your wealth to build up your relationship with Him and your neighbors. It is noteworthy that all the “Ten Commandments” of God are relationship based, none is materialistic. Therefore, having riches carries great responsibility. If you have been blessed with wealth, then thank the Lord. Don’t be proud and don’t trust your wealth. Use your wealth to do good. Be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share. Consequently, building for yourself lasting treasures in heaven due to the value God attaches to your good deeds. 

No matter how mush money you have, your life should demonstrate that God controls the wealth that He has placed under your care. When your treasures are heavenly bound, definitely your heart will be heavenly bound also. What we treasure most controls us and our thought, whether we admit it or not. If possessions or money become too important to us, we must re-establish control or get rid of them. Hence, Jesus calls for a decision that allows us to live contentedly with whatever we have because we have chosen eternal values over temporary, earthly treasures.

In our memory verse, Jesus said to the rich young man; “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” This man’s wealth made his life comfortable and gave him prestige and power. By telling him to sell everything he owned, Jesus was touching the very basis of his security, trust, and identity, which is in earthly temporal treasures, instead in God. The man did not understand that he would be more secure if he followed Jesus than he was with all his wealth. 

When Jesus told this young man that he would “be perfect” if he gave everything he had to the poor, Jesus wasn’t speaking in the temporal, human sense. He was explaining how to be justified and made whole or complete in God’s sight. He was explaining to the young man God’s value system—what you used your possessions to build up your relationship with Him and others which God place great value on. Jesus does not ask believers to sell all they have. He did not ask most of His followers to sell everything, but rather use their possessions to serve God and others. Although this may be His Will for some who are controlled by their possessions. He does ask us all, however, to get rid of anything that has become more important in life than God. If your possessions take first place in your life, it would be better for you to get rid of them. We must remove all barriers to serving Him fully. 

Don’t spend your time chasing fleeting earthly treasures. Instead store up treasures in heaven, for such treasures will never be lost. The key to using money wisely is to see how much we can use for God’s purposes, not how much we can accumulate for ourselves. Does God’s love touch your wallet? Does your money free you to help others? If so, You are storing up lasting treasures in heaven. If your financial goals and possessions hinder you from giving generously, loving others, or serving God, sell what you must to bring your life into line with His purposes. Laying up treasures in heaven is accomplished by all acts of obedience and service to God. We should also, seek to please God not only in giving, but also in fulfilling His purposes in all we do. 

If Jesus would asked, ‘Could you give your house? Your car? Your level of income? Your position in the society? Your position on the ladder of promotion?’ Your reaction may show your attitude toward earthly treasures—whether it is your servant or your master, and would reveal who you serve—whether God or mammon. Where do you put your time, money, and energy? What do you think about most? How should you change the way you use your resources in order to reflect kingdom values more accurately? The sincere answers to these questions will reveal your real self!

Prayer: Abba Father, all things are Yours. You have only entrusted to our care things that are Yours. Give me the grace to manage all that You have put in my care adequately,p as is pleasing to You, that I may lay up lasting treasures for myself in heaven, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

GOD SAVES THROUGH FAITH ALONE!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY OCTOBER 1, 2019.

SUBJECT : GOD SAVES THROUGH FAITH ALONE!

Memory verse: 

“

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.

" 

(Ephesians 2 vs 8.)

READ: Ephesians 2 vs 4 - 10:

2:4: But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,

2:5: even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved),
2:6: and raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
2:7: that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
2:8: For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
2:9: not of works, lest anyone should boast.

2:10: For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God 

prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

INTIMATION:

God saves us through faith alone. And faith is primarily a firm persuasion, a conviction based upon hearing. The Bible, in Hebrews 11 vs 1, defines faith thus, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” The beginning point of faith is believing in God’s character: He is who He says. The end point is believing in God’s promises: He will do what He says. When we believe that God will fulfill His promises even though we don’t see those promises materializing yet, we demonstrate true faith.

Therefore, the main elements in faith as it relates to the invisible God, as distinct from faith in man, are (1) a firm conviction, producing a full acknowledgement of God’s revelation or truth; (2) a personal surrender to Him, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His Name” (John 1 vs 12); (3) a conduct inspired by such surrender; “For we walk by faith not by sight” (Second Corinthians 5 vs 7). All this stands in contrast to belief in its purely natural exercise, which consists of an opinion held in good faith without necessary reference to its proof.

Why does God save us by faith alone? (1) Faith eliminates the pride of human effort, because faith is not a deed that we do, but a gift from God. (2) Faith exalts what God has done, not what we do. (3) Faith admits that we can’t keep the law or measure up to God’s standards—we need help. (4) Faith is based on our relationship with God, not our performance for God. In all these man has no contributions, and therefore, is wholly dependent on God. 

Because our salvation and even our faith are gifts, we should respond with gratitude, praise, and joy. We become Christians through God’s unmerited grace, not as a result of any effort, ability, intelligent choice, or acts of service on our part. However, out of gratitude for this free gift, we will seek to help and serve others with kindness, love, and gentleness, and not merely to please ourselves. While no action or work we do can help us obtain salvation, God’s intention is that our salvation will result in acts of service. We are not saved merely for our own benefit but to serve Christ and build up the church. 

God did not save us because of, rather in spite of, what He saw in us. In addition to thanking Him for what He has done for us, we should also show humble patience and tolerance for others who seem unworthy or undeserving of our love and compassion. They may be spiritually dull, rebellious, and even antagonistic toward God. So were we: but God loved us anyway. Can we do less for fellow sinners?

The penalty of sin and its power over us were miraculously destroyed by Christ on the cross. Through faith in Christ we stand acquitted, or not guilty, before God (Romans 3 vs 21 - 22). God does not take us out of the world or make us robots—we will still feel like sinning and sometimes we will sin. The difference is that before we became Christians, we were dead in sin and were slaves to our sinful nature. But now we are alive with Christ: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God; who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2 vs 20). 

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You for the gift of faith, and for what Christ wrought for us in redemption. Give me the grace to live for You the rest of my life, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!