Amazing Grace!

Right now I'm taking an apologetics class, and we are studying other religions. One common denominator with other religions or cults is the fact that they have to earn their salvation. In order to please their god, they have to do something. It could be dressing a certain way, eating a particular diet, saying a certain number of prayers, visiting a specific city... the list is endless! But, they all have to work to gain their god's favor.

What I love about the true and living God is that He realized that there was nothing that man could do to earn His favor... and He chose to create a way for man to be close to Him anyway. God knew no matter how hard we tried to be free from sin on our own, we would always fail. God knew that only a pure sacrifice would cleanse us, and He knew the only One who would be worthy to take on the task.

God sent His Son Jesus to die in our place. He sent His Son to bear our sins on the cross. His Son received our punishment of death and separation from God. All so that we could have the chance to be with Him for all eternity.

Jesus' atoning sacrifice gave us grace. We have God's grace! We don't have to work, we don't have to earn it, we don't have to try to prove our worthiness. All we have to do is accept Jesus as Lord. All we have to do is receive His gift of eternal life. Simple acceptance of Jesus' precious gift grants us the grace to be in right relationship with the true and living God.

That's it.

That's amazing grace!

Verse of the Day: For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God... Ephesians 2:8

Living for Eternity

Right now in my class we are studying on living on earth with a constant view of heaven. We are getting a better understanding that this earthly life is temporal, and only what we do in light of eternity really matters. I find it ironic with all that's been going on in my life lately.

One thing has stuck out: Only two things on this earth will last forever: God's Word and His people. Everything else falls away and means nothing in the long run.

God's Word never fails. We can hold on to it because we know that it will always fulfill it's purpose. We can have faith in it because it never returns void. It will accomplish all God sent it forth to do.

So, why do we pay so much attention to what other people say? Why do we spend our lives sitting being entertained by all these other voices, opinions, and views that are contrary to God's Word?

In the end, those words will fall short. They will let us down. They will tell us lies. They will fail. Yet, God's Word stands forever.

God's people last forever too. Because of the resurrection life we received from Jesus Christ, we no longer have to fear death. We are owners of life everlasting in Paradise with our King. We don't have to live in fear. We don't have to be afraid of an earthly passing. Yes, our earthly beings will pass away, but our spirits will live on forever.

Knowing this truth, it is so important that we bring other people over into the eternal life of Christ. Those who don't know Him are doomed to the horrors of hell for eternity. In light of this short life, we should be doing all we can to save those who need to be redeemed.

So, why are we fearful to tell others about Christ? Why don't we speak up when we see people hurting who don't know the Lord? What makes us apprehensive about evangelizing?

Just some nuggets to think about as you go about your day. Time is flying!

Verse of the Day: For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23