I felt impressed this week to share a couple of verses that tie together some of the points that I have discussed in the last number of weeks. I think it would be helpful for me to explain why it is that I’ve chosen to live in a manner that is right in the eyes of God. For the sake of keeping this short, I will mention a few different topics, but I will be happy to expound upon them further in the comment section, as well as in future blogs.
The primary difference between Christianity and any other religion is that you are not required to earn your salvation. Ephesians 2: 8-10 says:
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
It is not that we aren’t required to do what God asks of us, but it is why we were originally created. God has a very specific plan and purpose for every single one of us.
I’ve had some conversations recently that have touched on the question, “How to live without fear?” Some people would simply prefer not to believe that there are consequences associated with moral compromises. It is quite commonly misunderstood that a Christian must never make a mistake, because if they do they will go to hell.
Natural fear is the opposite of faith, so if you refer back to the verse that I’ve cited from Ephesians, it becomes clear that salvation itself would be made impossible. Fear of God, is explained in Psalm 130:3-4 If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared.
Basically the verse is saying that when we realize that God is so amazingly gracious, our response should be one of reverence and devotion in acknowledgement of our indebtedness.
More often than not people tend to believe that once they become a Christian they won’t be allowed to have a free-will. I don’t think that anything is more contentious, even within the Christian community. I will show you how it really doesn’t impede on your liberties, but rather allows for the experience of true freedom.
Paul is a man in the Bible who oversees the church in Thessalonica. He wrote two letters of encouragement to them. In 2 Thessalonians 1:10-12 he writes: Because we know that this extraordinary day (the day when Jesus will return) is just ahead, we pray for you all the time. We pray that our God may count you worthy of His calling, and that by His power He may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
It is so interesting how it says that God will “fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.” That verse speaks of the goodness of God, and how he has created each individual person with dreams and desires. He’s a good Father, and he wants nothing more than to show his love. His heart is for you to find purpose in life and live life as it was originally designed to be lived.
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