Eph.2:8 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” There is a very dangerous deception which has been increasing within the Body of Christ, teaching ‘we are saved by grace’. Many well intentioned Christians have become so fixated upon ‘grace’ that they fail to share ‘the rest of the story’! Do NOT misunderstand me, I do NOT discount or make light of ‘grace’! But we must not speak in half-truths! Salvation is NOT some gift that that is thrown around like beads at Mardi-Gras, or candy at some parade. We are NOT saved just by ‘wanting to’ make a decision for Christ or repeating some pat prayer. If that spiritual transaction has not taken place within our hearts, TO CHANGE US, then I can honestly say, by the Word of God that you are NOT saved. We cannot be shy, embarrassed or ashamed to ACCEPT Jesus Christ not only as Savior but also as LORD, Mk.8:38, Lk.9:26! BUT, HONESTLY how many ‘are’ when the initially raise their hands? How many throughout their lives ‘are’ intimidated to share their faith with others? Grace is that awesome part of God’s character which made it all possible for all of us. The plan of salvation was born within the love and grace of God’s heart. But grace ‘in and of itself’ did not save us! Jesus Christ dying upon that cross and the shedding His blood as a sacrifice for sin actually redeemed us from the curse of sin! Heb.9:22 “…, and without shedding of blood is no remission.” Acknowledging our sin nature, 1John1:9 and REPENT turning away from sin! Lk.13:3 and 5 “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Mk.1:15 “And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” Believing in Christ, that He IS real, that He IS the Son of God, that He DID die on that cross for me and you, believing He will forgive us of our sins, IF we ASK Him to. John1:12 “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” Johh8:24 “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.” Asking Him to forgive us of our sin, Mat. 6:12 “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” Lk.11:4 “And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one… indebted to us.” Mat.7:11, Lk.11:13 “…, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” Denying ourselves, taking up our own cross, MAKING Him LORD and Master, Mat.16:24 “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Mk.8:34 “…, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Lk.9:23 “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” Lk.14:27 “And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, CANNOT BE my disciple.” Lk.14:33 “…, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he CANNOT BE my disciple.” Hear my heart! This is NOT about legalism or works! It’s NOT just about confronting greasy grace. But TOO OFTEN we want to make it ‘easy’ and ‘un-offensive’ for people to get saved, AND IT’S NOT!!! It is the most humiliating thing for our carnal minds to do and the most offensive thing for our flesh to submit to! To utterly depend upon what Jesus has done for us. While true salvation is the most liberating thing that can ever happen to us! We CANNOT separate faith, confessing, repentance, asking forgiveness, denying self, and being changed, OR the ‘blood of Jesus’ from our salvation, anymore than we can separate God from His love! ALL of these things are BOUND up within our acceptance and commitment to Him! Lk.14:28 “For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?” Mat.20:22 “But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.” Do we ‘count the cost’ before or after something is built? Have we TRULY counted the cost of BEING saved, BEING a disciple? For The Harvest,
Posted on: Sat, 03 Jan 2015 17:14:02 +0000
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