What are we to Pursue?

 "...pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace, with all who are calling upon the Lord from a clean heart." (2 Timothy 2:22-23)

Righteousness: Pursue things that are right for yourself and those around you.

Faith: Expect things God has promised to come to pass even if you cannot see how they could happen.

Love: Do for others what they cannot do for themselves, and do it without requiring anything in return.

Peace: Attempt to get along with others, and get away from those you cannot.

What Is Faith?

“Now faith is an assumption of what is being expected, a conviction concerning matters which are not being observed” (Hebrews 11:1 CLNT)

The faith that the Bible speaks of is not some blind leap into the dark, but it is believing that what God says is true even though we are not now observing it, or able to prove it.  For example, God has promised to resurrect the dead when Jesus returns. We assume and expect it to happen even though we have never observed anyone dying and coming back to life. But we have chosen to believe the Bible.

Some say there is no God and when we die that is it…that is their faith.  They have no hope beyond this world.  Choosing to have faith in God gives me peace and hope in this chaotic world. I agree with Paul when he said…

“If in this life only we have hope…we are of all men most miserable.” (1 Corinthians 15:19)

Everlasting Mercy

“Now Thomas, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him, we have seen the Lord. So he said to them…I will not believe." (John 20:24-25)

Thomas is called "doubting Thomas" because he refused to believe until he saw Jesus himself. Actually, that was true of all of the disciples. None of them believed until they saw him after his resurrection. Such is the case for the majority of people who live in this world. They will not believe until they see him.

"And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came… and said be not be unbelieving, but believing. And Thomas answered…My Lord and my God!" (John 20:26-28)

When Jesus returns to raise the dead, all will see him and all will confess him as Lord, just as Thomas did...

"...every knee shall bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-11)

Those who believe in this life are "blessed" with the hope of their salvation. They are the few who are given faith to believe in Jesus in this life even though we have not seen him.

"Jesus said to him, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” (John 20:29)

People are saved by the grace of God.  They are blessed when they believe. But all will "confess" him, "give thanks", and be "blessed" when they see Jesus and enter the Kingdom, not punished forever in the hell of religions.

"For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all....O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever." (Romans 11:32; Psalm 136:1)

God is love and although He has determined that all are to be disobedient in one way or another in this life, He does so to demonstrate His "mercy", which will endure "forever".

What is the Truth?

“You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” “What is truth?” retorted Pilate. With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him." (John 18:37-38)

That mankind cannot be trusted to deal with this truth is quite obvious. Pilate found no fault with Jesus but had him crucified anyway. 

What truth did Jesus come into the world to testify to?

“Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins…Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord….” (Matthew 120-21; Luke 2:10-11)

The truth is that Jesus came into the world to save sinners, all of them, including Pilot.

"Trustworthy is the saying and worthy of all welcome, Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners..." (1 Timothy 1:15)

He will either do so, or that saying is not trustworthy.  In my life I have encountered two negative responses to this truth.  One comes from those who consider themselves saved by their free will choice of Christ.  Some of these wish it were true but many are indignant that God would save sinners who have not made the same choice and perceived sacrifices for him.  The others are those like Pilate who are indignant that someone would think they needed to be saved at all.

I suppose it remains to be seen whether the Truth that Jesus testified to actually happens. But if all sinners are not saved, his testimony was false.  He has promised to deliver all sinners from death and I trust and find comfort that He can and will do so. Love motivates me to share my faith and my hope in the Truth, in spite of those who ignore or oppose it.

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 13:3)

It's About Jesus Christ's Faith - not yours

"…a righteousness of God through Jesus Christ's faith, FOR all, and ON all who are believing, for there is no distinction...
” (Romans 3:21-22, CLNT)

Some versions change "Jesus Christ's faith" to read “through faith in Christ Jesus” thus robbing us of the truth that righteousness, just like eternal life, is freely given sinners by the "GRACE" of God as the result of "JESUS CHRIST'S FAITH". All will acknowledge Jesus at some point in time, and confess that he is Lord.

"Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-11)

For most this comes after they have been resurrected.  Many say it is too late for justification at that time, but there is no Scripture to back that up, only the false opinion of religious men. The Scripture says all "sinned" and the same all will be "justified gratuitously in His grace"...as a "gracious gift".

“…for all sinned and are wanting of the glory of God.
 Being justified gratuitously in His GRACE, through the deliverance which is in Christ Jesus…For the ration of Sin is death, yet the gracious gift of God is life eonian, in Christ Jesus, our Lord.” (Romans 3:23-24; 6:23 CLNT)

Good Works Follow Faith

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you... I will save you from all your uncleanness... I want you to know that I am NOT doing this for your sake... I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it." (Ezekiel 36:26-36)

The above was written to Israel who was promised a New Covenant where God would save them by his GRACE after they learned they could not save themselves by doing the WORKS required in the Old Covenant. 

God saves ALL people the same way…by His Grace. When he gives us the FAITH to realize we have been saved, our hearts are "established" by His grace, and we experience the peace and joy of the salvation freely given us by GOD through CHRIST JESUS. 

"…it is good that the heart be established by GRACE." (Hebrews 13:9)

Salvation does not follow good works…but what tends to follow the realization of our Salvation is good works done in appreciation to God.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves,it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." (Ephesians 2:8-10)

Enemies of the Cross - Righteous Men

"The wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord...For it is by GRACE you have been SAVED through FAITH, and that not of yourselves, it is a gift from God..." (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8)

Being "SAVED" refers to what happens to people after they die.  Jesus, the Son of God, became a mortal man to SAVE the world.  So Jesus died as the "wages" for our sins (since he had none of his own) and was buried.  Yet three days and nights later God raised him to immortal life. This salvation from death was a "gift from God" his Father, God's righteous reward for one sinless life sacrificed to save "all" sinners, not just a few.

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are JUSTIFIED FREELY by His GRACE through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:23-24)

The Greek word for "JUSTIFIED" is "dikaioo" and literally means "I regard as righteous". By the Grace of God, sinners are regarded as righteous (pronounced not guilty) by God as a result of "the redemption that is in Christ Jesus".  

The salvation from death because of our justification, granted freely to all sinners, is also a "gift", but "not of yourselves".  It is only by the "GRACE" of God and "the redemption that is in Christ Jesus". We deserve to stay dead but God is going to save us anyway. This is the gospel, the good news we are to teach and place our "FAITH".

"Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep...For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all be made alive...so that God may be all in all." (1 Corinthians 15:20-28)

We should believe what God says.  The cross of Christ was sufficient.  Those requiring sinners to become righteous men in order to be saved are "enemies of the cross".  

"For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weaping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on early things." (Philippians 3:18-19)

Those "enemies" think the cross was insufficient, teaching that sinners must DO something righteous, by their own free will, and should join in the activities of the local congregation of righteous people.  They should beware that their genuflection does not identify them as an enemy of that cross...

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven...Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full." (Matthew 6:1-5)

The righteousness of men is not a bad thing.  We need good people doing unselfish things, both inside and outside of church.  But the praise of men for such righteousness will be "their reward in full". 

In seeking God with all our heart we find "the righteousness of God" only in what the sinless Jesus has done, not in our own righteous acts. 

"God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them...He made him who know no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him." (2 Corinthians 5:18-21)

Believers in this age are "justified freely" in His righteousness, not in what they do, and...

"...He is a rewarder of those who seek HIM..."  (Hebrews 11:6)

God has a plan for sinful mankind, all of us.  Our only "hope" is in His plan, rather than any of the noble plans conceived by political or religious men...

"For I know the plans that I have for you declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart..." (Jeremiah 29:11-13) 

Few seek him in this present evil age, but after the resurrection, all mankind will seek and find God, and when found they will glorify Him as they realize they are saved and reconciled to God, not by any righteous decision or acts that they have done, but by God's unmerited favor - "GRACE" - and they will joyfully confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and give the glory to God our Father.  

"...at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:10-11).

Trust God and "beware" of Righteous Men.

Faith in the Grace of God

The Bible says this about Jesus Christ…

“For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.” (Colossians 1:19-23)

“Before the creation of the world” God chose to RECONCILE sinners to God “through the blood of his cross”, “if” we “continue in” our faith. NOTE: He is talking about the gospel (good news) of “reconciliation” (being at peace with God).

It is said in the Bible that mankind was predestined before creation to be adopted as sons of God..

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious GRACE, which He has freely given us in the one He loves.” (Ephesians 1:3-6)

Note that mankind was “predestined” to become Sons of God “in accordance with His pleasure and will – to the praise of his glorious grace”. That too is the gospel (good news) which gives joy to those in this life if we have “faith”. 

But we do not choose God, or Christ, God chooses us. And God has “predestined” mankind to be “holy and blameless in his sight”. Obviously that has not happened yet, but awaits our resurrection from death, not some decision we make. The final salvation, reconciliation, and glorification of all mankind is a promise we have now to be finished in the future when all will be “blessed in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ”. 

What we have available to us now is our “faith” that God will do what He says.

There is precious little of this faith in our world it seems to me, even among Christianity. Nevertheless, the eventual salvation, reconciliation and glorification of all is guaranteed by God’s “glorious GRACE”.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God…For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men...For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all...” (Ephesians 2:8; Titus 2:11; 1 Timothy 2:5-6)

Faith In God - Or Maybe Not

“We walk by faith, not by sight…” (2 Corinthians 5:7)

Biblical faith is a term which most people struggle with. Faith is not a blind leap into the dark, nor is it just saying we trust God or Jesus. Faith is believing something God or Jesus has SAID he has done or will do for us. Salvation by faith is not “inviting Jesus into your heart”, or joining the church, or confessing your sin, or “calling upon the name of the Lord”, or getting baptized. If those things are of any value at all, they are just a way to express that we believe what God says he will do. Those things are NOT a condition to God being faithful to save mankind, they are a response to the realization that they have been saved by the GRACE of God “not of works lest any man should boast”. (Ephesians 2:8-10)

“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…” (1 Timothy 1:15)

All of our evangelistic efforts will not add to what Christ Jesus came into the world to do. Evangelism should be simply introducing the world to their Savior. Salvation is what God and Jesus will do for mankind…save them. Not try to save them or offer to save them, but actually save them. For Christianity to imply he will not do so without our help or acceptance of an invitation is evidence of a LACK OF FAITH it seems to me.

“This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe. Command and teach these things.” (1 Timothy 4:9-11)

Sometimes I wonder if institutional Christianity as a group are included in the “especially of those who believe”. When Christianity returns to faith in what God through Christ Jesus has DONE, and returns to teaching and preaching that gospel, our churches might again be filled with joyful men and women.

The Joel Osteen church has tapped into that joyous message, but he makes his money from promising his listeners that if they have faith in themselves, God will pour out His “abundant life” now in various forms of success. But that abundant life in the Kingdom that Jesus promised will not be ours until after Jesus returns and we have been resurrected and our natural bodies replaced with a new spiritual body...

“...it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body …flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 15:44, 50)

From about the 4th Century AD Christianity has made salvation a matter of man DOING SOMETHING for God to get saved and blessed.  Not so, salvation is a DONE deal, and eternal blessing will follow our resurrection as the free gift of God's grace.  God through Christ Jesus has reconciled mankind to Himself and Jesus will return someday to literally save us from death and give us a new spiritual body created to live an abundant eternal life.

FAITH that God is the savior of the world and has reconciled it too himself is what it means to “walk by faith, not by sight”. We just don't SEE it now, it is just a promise from God, and we have faith in what He says - or not.

The Better Hope

“…the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God." (Hebrews 7:18-19)

The "better hope" that we have for becoming perfect is the Gospel of God. The Gospel is the good news that in Christ Jesus all will be “made alive”, all will be “changed in a moment in the twinkling of an eye” and all will become a “new creation in Christ Jesus” where God is “All in all”.

“As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive…we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet…that God may be All in all…a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come…” (1 Corinthians 15:22, 51-52, 28; 2 Corinthians 5:17)

Perfection is a promise from God which occurs for us when in His GRACE our salvation is complete. And that salvation does not occur as a result of any works or good decisions we make, but is the result of a decision God has made to save sinners. And it does not occur in this life, but in the next. 

For now what we have is “faith, hope and love”. We believe that God will do what Jesus says ("faith") and we expect with assurance that he will do so ("hope") because of His "love" for us.

One day our faith will become sight, and our hope will become our reality for the love that Jesus Christ has for us is perfect - it is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. We are "strengthened" by this "Grace"...

“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love…Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by GRACE” (1 Corinthians 13:12-13; Hebrews 13:7-9)

Is Your Faith Pleasing God?

“…Now apart from faith it is impossible to be well pleasing (to God)” (Hebrews 11:6)

That sounds great and Christian’s quote it a lot. Next time you hear someone quote that ask the question…Faith in what?

The writer of Hebrews had just defined faith in verse 1 as follows…

“Now faith is an assumption of what is being expected, a conviction concerning matters which are not being observed”

In order to "expect" something, promises must have been made, in this case promises from God. And when we know what God has promised we are to assume that those promises will come to pass if we are to please God. 

We are not to get concerned if we are not now observing what God has promised but are to have the assurance they will come to pass later in this age, or in the ages to come, because God made the promises.

And remember, failure to have faith does not prevent the promises from happening...they will happen because God has promised.  Having faith does not make the promises happen, it simply pleases God when we believe what He says.

Religion makes a lot of promises, but faith in the promises contained in the creeds and church covenants of religious men do not please God.

So, what are the promises of God? Here is the most important to me...

"Yet now Christ has been roused from among the dead, the Firstfruit of those who are reposing. For since, in fact, through a man came death, through a Man, also, comes the resurrection of the dead. For even as, in Adam, all are dying, thus also, in Christ, shall all be vivified...we all shall be changed,in an instant, in the twinkle of an eye, at the last trump. For He will be trumpeting, and the dead will be roused incorruptible and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal put on immortality. Now, whenever this corruptible should be putting on incorruption and this mortal should be putting on immortality, then shall come to pass the word which is written, Swallowed up was Death by Victory." (1 Corinthians 15:20-54)

So...is your faith pleasing to God?

Believing God

The Reconciliation of all:

"God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their sins against them" (2 Corinthians 5:19)

"and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven." (Colossians 1:20)

Faith and Justification:

“Abraham believed God (had Faith), and it was credited to him as righteousness.” (Genesis 15:6;Romans 4:3;Galatians 3:6)

"...having been justified by faith (believing God), we have peace with God" (Romans 5:1)

Rewards:

“And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” (Revelation 22:12)

"For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ...and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; BUT HE HIMSELF WILL BE SAVED, yet so as through fire." (1 Corinthians 3:11-15)

Either we believe God or we make up some argument that He does not really mean what He says. What He says is that ALL will be reconciled to God and we are JUSTIFIED and have PEACE when we believe God will RECONCILE all things to Himself.  We will be REWARDED (or not) based on our FAITH in what God says.

Saved by Grace - Rewarded for Faith

“…join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day. What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.” (2 Timothy 1:8-14)

Paul was suffering for teaching the good news that…

1. God has saved us, not because of anything we have done, but because of his own "purpose and grace".

2. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus "before the beginning of time".

3. The truth of this salvation was hidden until Jesus came, died and then destroyed death by his resurrection.

4. Paul was appointed to tell this previously hidden good news.

5. Paul encouraged Timothy to "guard" this sound teaching, with faith and love.

In Chapter 2 Paul admonishes Timothy that those who do not “guard” this good news and "endure" any suffering for doing so will have some negative consequences if he were to “disown" what God and the Lord Jesus have done…

“You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus...I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.” (2 Timothy 2:1-13)

Paul has assured us that salvation is a result of the grace of God alone and does not depend on our faithfulness, but on the faithfulness of Christ Jesus. However, our faithfulness will be rewarded and will determine what we do in the ages following our death and resurrection. It seems to me that the faithful will REIGN with Christ and all others will be reigned over in the two ages which follow this present age. Paul tells Timothy…

1. Be Strong in the GRACE that is ours in Christ Jesus.

2. Entrust the gospel to those who also will be strong to teach the truth about God's Grace.

3. Suffer for this truth if necessary.

4. He who endures the suffering and "remains faithful" will REIGN with Christ.  

5. Disowning him by being "faithless" with regard to the truth, will result in being denied the reward of REIGNING with Christ. (during the next two ages).  Note that it is a loss of REWARD, not a loss of salvation..

Adolph E. Knoch said it better than I in his Concordant Commentary on 2 Timothy…

“This faithful (trustworthy) saying shows that our life and all that comes to us by His grace is immutable (salvation)—it depends on His faithfulness. Service, however, has two sides, reward and loss. Endurance will be recognized by a place of authority in His celestial realm. If we disown Him we cannot expect Him to give us a public place of power in the future. This does not infringe in the least degree on our salvation or life or anything which is ours by His grace.”

Paul makes it clear that it is loss of REWARD, not SALVATION, when he wrote to those in Corinth...

"By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a REWARD. If it is burned up, the builder will SUFFER LOSS BUT YET WILL BE SAVED..." (1 Corinthians 3:10-15)

To most secular Philosophers, faith in God is opposed to reason. He or she apparently knows nothing of biblical faith. Biblical faith rests on the sure foundation of perfect reason...reasoning with the Creator of all things.

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18)

When I observe the wonder of creation and learn some of the science of how it all works together I cannot help but see the beauty, wisdom and reason of the one behind the creation...like King David says

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.” (Psalm 1:1-4)

The Creator says it is reasonable to believe that when the God who created all is finished with sinners they shall be white as snow and wool.

"And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” (Acts 20:32)

What does “the word of His grace” mean and what is this word? The Greek for “word” is “logo” and simply means that which is communicated to mankind by God. And what is that? His GRACE…unmerited favor among those who are sanctified. 

Mankind is sanctified (deemed Holy by God) through the truth of His Word (what He has communicated to us)…

“Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.” (John 17:17-18)

Christ Jesus came to save the world. He consecrated himself for that purpose and through his shed blood he succeeded.

“…all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness… But he has appeared once FOR ALL at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.” (Hebrews 9:22-26)

So for me, the “WORD OF HIS GRACE” is as follows:

Mankind is SAVED by His GRACE, not of works…

“For by grace you have been saved…not as a result of works” (Ephesians 2:8-10)

Mankind is JUSTIFIED (declared righteous) by His GRACE…

“…so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:7)

Mankind is RECONCILED to God through Christ Jesus by His Grace…

“…God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them” (2 Corinthians 5:19)

So where does FAITH fit in?

The Greek word for FAITH is also translated BELIEVE. So FAITH is simply believing what God says. Mankind can only find true JOY and PEACE in this present evil age by having FAITH in the “Word of His Grace”….in other words by believing it. 

NEVERTHELESS, there will come a day when everyone will come forth from the grave (“hades”) as Jesus said…

“…for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment. I can do nothing on my own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and MY JUDGMENT IS JUST (right), because I do not seek my own will, but THE WILL OF HIM WHO SENT ME.” (John 5:28-30)

It is my view of Scripture that at the resurrection those of us who have BELIEVED the “word of his Grace” in this age will rise to enter immediately into immortal life. Those who, for whatever reason, have NOT believed the “word of his Grace” in this life will rise to be judged JUSTLY, according to the WILL of God who sent Jesus to SAVE the world, not condemn it…

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him...it is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers. Prescribe and teach these things.…” (John 3:17; 1 Timothy 4:8-10)

Without Faith - Part Two

“…without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

Yesterday I pointed out that the Bible clearly says that God is going to save ALL ISRAEL as His unconditional promise. God is no respecter of persons and so the Bible also clearly says that God is going to unconditionally save everyone else. God says it and only those who believe what he says have FAITH that pleases God. Here is His unconditional promise…

“It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires (wills) all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time... it is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance, for it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers. Prescribe and teach these things.” (1 Timothy 1:15; 2:3-6; 4:9-11).

The Bible cannot say it any plainer than this and I have chosen to believe the Bible rather than men. The above is an unconditional promise and one either believes what God says or doesn’t…our choice. But God is going to do what he unconditionally promises whether you believe Him or not. And it is my opinion that any other gospel proclaimed does NOT please God.

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.” (Titus 2:11-14)

Without Faith - Part One

“…without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

Biblical FAITH is an interesting topic to study. The Greek word for faith is “pistis” and a short definition is simply “belief” or “trust”. As related to God in the Scripture it has to do with whether you believe and trust what God says. Of course it is important to actually KNOW what God has said. Simply believing or trusting what another person says about God is NOT the faith that will please God according to the Bible.

I have made the choice to have FAITH (believe and trust) that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God. I cannot prove it and do not spend any time trying to do so. I have also chosen NOT to believe that there are any other writings or teachings which are the inerrant Word of God. What that does for me is to give me a solid foundation upon which to test other people’s opinions about God and life in general. I do not condemn their opinions, I just do not believe them when I find that those teachings do not line up with what the Bible says. I apply this to the teachings of Christianity and well as all other Religions of the world.

"Therefore say to the Israelites, This is what the Sovereign LORD says: It is not for your sake, people of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone.” (Ezekiel 36:22)

In the Bible God sometimes promises to do certain things if the object of the promise is obedient. Other times God tells us things that He is going to do without conditions of obedience attached. The above refers to one of those unconditional promises to Israel as follows…

“For I will take you from the nations, gather you from all the lands and bring you into your own land. Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances. You will live in the land that I gave to your forefathers; so you will be My people, and I will be your God. Moreover, I will save you from all your uncleanness…” (Ezekiel 36:24-28)

This has NOT happened yet, but God has promised to SAVE Israel and change them without any conditions, and in spite of the fact that they have “profaned His name among the nations”. FAITH simply believes and trusts God to do what He says. Here God says He will one day SAVE Israel and make them CLEAN. If you do not believe God is going to do this for Israel, then you do not have the biblical FAITH that pleases God. Paul believed God and wrote to the Romans…

“…and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove ungodliness from Jacob. This is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins…from the standpoint of God’s choice they are beloved…for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” (Romans 11:26-29)

Would you save all your children if you could?

“God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them…The LORD God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there He placed the man whom He had formed.” (Genesis 1:7; 2:8)

There are certain things God does for mankind just because he wants to, creating Adam and putting him in a garden paradise was the first one of those things we are told about in Scripture.

“…seven priests shall carry seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark; then on the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. It shall be that when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city will fall down flat...by faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days.” (Joshua 6:4-7; Hebrews 11:30)

There are certain things that God will do for people only if they have the faith to do the things he says must be done, like blow trumpets and march around the walls of Jericho seven times to get it to fall down.

The critical question in regards to being RECONCILED TO GOD and SAVED from death, the consequences of sin, is simply…Does God reconcile and save people because he wants to, and without them doing anything to get it?

“…Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep…for as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive…the last enemy that will be abolished is death…so that God may be all in all…Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ…God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation…He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (1 Corinthians 15:20-28; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21)

People, it is not what YOU DO, but what God HAS DONE in Christ Jesus that guarantees that mankind, ALL OF THEM, will be reconciled and saved at the close of the ages…Some come to know about it in this life and are full of joy and peace, and others, well you know…they join the various religious groups and do what they are told needs to be done to be saved. Nevertheless, the Scripture says about Christ Jesus…

“He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach.” (Colossians 1:18-22)

That is the Good News Gospel that I have been asked NOT to share by church leaders and self-proclaimed watchman, but anyone who is not sharing the above good news is simply watching over and participating in man-made religious doctrine , which is not the gospel of the “ecclesia” (church) at all – at least that’s my opinion after studying the Bible for 40 years…the gospel really is Good News For ALL, not just a few.

“Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. FOR YET IN A VERY LITTLE WHILE, HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME, AND WILL NOT DELAY. BUT MY RIGHTEOUS ONE SHALL LIVE BY FAITH; AND IF HE SHRINKS BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM. But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.” (Hebrews 10:35-39)

Confidence and Faith in what? The return of Jesus the Messiah of course.

What was the will of God for them? To endure in the faith of the return of Jesus to save them.

“Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven…and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” (Acts 1:11; Hebrews 9:28)

Some were shrinking back from believing Jesus would return and deliver them from the Roman Empire and restore the Kingdom to Israel. That displeased God because they did not believe his promise. Thay needed to keep the faith that God would….

“…send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time..” (Acts 3:20-21)

And Jesus through Paul has told all nations that Jesus will return for we Gentiles as well…

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)

“In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—walk! And seizing him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened. With a leap he stood upright and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.” (Acts 3:6-8)

What exactly caused this man to be healed? Modern day faith healers would say it was the FAITH of Peter, John and the lame man – and/or the collective prayer of the Saints…as if prayer and faith are currency given to God in exchange for the lame man’s healing. However, it clear to me that the lame man was healed BECAUSE IT WAS GOD’S PLAN TO HEAL HIM. It had nothing to do with the purchasing power of PRAYER or FAITH. You cannot can buy stuff from God.

So why did God miraculously heal him? Well the context of Miracles in the Bible is always to confirm the word of God. So in this case it would have been to demonstrate to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. These miracles to confirm the Word of God ceased, it seems to me, when the Word of God was completed and canonized into what we now call the Bible. I do not see men with the gift of miraculous healing today. What I do see is men claiming to have that gift, failing to heal, and blaming it on the lack of Faith of those who need it.

To the extent God reveals something he is going to do, we can be certain it will happen because when it does, it will CONFIRM the Word of God. It does NOT happen because of PRAYER or FAITH that it will happen, but because God has said it is His will to do so.

Men often lie, or are deceived into believing God has spoken a promise to them when it is simply a desire of their heart…or for money in the case of modern day faith healers.

Sooo for me, I do not assume, expect or am I convicted that what men say is a Word from God…I have been disappointed too often by such men, even those with the best intentions. HOWEVER, in my personal study of the Bible I cannot recall anything I have read therein that God promised which has not already happened as promised, OR could happen in the future – like the restoration of Israel the resurrection of the dead and the salvation of all mankind.

“…the God of peace Himself sanctifies you entirely; and your spirit and soul and body are preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)

Just believe the Bible’s own definition of Faith…

“Now faith is an assumption of what is being expected, a conviction concerning matters which are not being observed.” (Hebrews 11:1 CLNT)