Faith. Hope. Salvation.
All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions -- it is by grace you have been saved. -- Ephesians 2:3-5
Hope. It’s the foundation for so much of what we believe as Christians. We understand that by our own actions we are condemned. Our human nature assures us of that. But we have hope in Christ Jesus, who died that we might live.
…he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. -- Titus 3:5-7
There is nothing we can do to earn salvation. Nothing. It’s not about doing right or living a good life. It’s not about attending church every Sunday or tithing just the right amount. It’s not about Baptism by water or going through the motions of Christianity.
We are saved by grace. That’s it. Pure and simple. Jesus’ blood poured out for us, washing over us, making us clean. So we reach out and believe, grabbing hold of the hand that saves us from certain destruction.
For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace. -- Romans 6:14
The rules are overwhelming at times. We want to do right but sometimes it seems as though we can’t help ourselves. We sin despite ourselves. We repent. And, then, there we go again.
We are powerless on our own, controlled by a sin nature we cannot seem to shed. But He is there, giving us strength, picking us up, forgiving us and cleansing us and sending us on our way again.
The laws are there to guide us, even as the Holy Spirit fills us up and reminds us of the path we should take. Jesus is there to save us when we sin despite the best of intentions.
He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are. -- Acts 15:9-11
There is no one Christian above the others. There is no denomination -- be they Methodist, Baptist, Catholic or other -- who rise to the top and always know best. We are one in the faith, in the blood, in our salvation. We all cling to grace.
Do not let yourselves be misled by the Pharisees of our day. Jesus Christ died so that we might live. We are saved by grace, not by rules or anything else. Jesus secured your salvation, promising that all who believe in Him will have eternal life. Hold on to that and never, ever let someone else shake the foundation of your faith.
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