We need to be constantly growing in Christ…moving forward, not stuck at the starting point going over basic ideas forever. For once we’ve grasped the meaning of the Gospel, the Lord wants us to be continually developing…ever reaching for that goal of maturity in Jesus Christ.
Tag: jesus christ
Luke 6:9 ” Then Jesus said to them, ‘ I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?’ “
The definition of legalism is – the strict, literal, often excessive adherence to the Law. In this verse, Jesus had just healed a man – on Sunday, in Church, in front of God and everybody! He was attempting to show the crowd that they had taken the Law and turned it into something God had never intended. Legalism will take our focus from God to works…it will change our perspective from doing good, to what we can’t do. In Mark 2:27, Jesus gives a clear answer to this matter when He says, ” The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.”
Romans 16: 25 ” Now to Him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ…”
When someone hears and accepts the Good News of the Kingdom of God and the gift of salvation through Jesus, they are transformed. They are forever changed by the power of the Holy Spirit within, and established by God Himself eternally. But this can’t happen if they never hear the Gospel or the message of redemption…for that is our mission here on earth – to take the name of Jesus to the nations.
Luke 22:32 ” But I have prayed for you, Simon Peter, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
Jesus knew that Peter would betray Him. But He also knew that Peter would later seek forgiveness and restoration of their relationship…and in doing so, become a spiritually stronger man. Each one of us carry around times when we ourselves failed the Lord miserably, only to have Him mercifully forgive and restore us back to that right relationship with Him. Those failings have now become unique teaching opportunities in which we can build up and strengthen others we see wavering.
John 17: 25-26 ” Righteous Father, though the world does not know You, I know You, and they know that You have sent Me. I have made You known to them, and will continue to make You known in order that the love You have for Me may be in them and that I Myself may be in them. “
We will know who God is by learning and experiencing His love through His Son, Jesus Christ. This ” Agape” love reaches far beyond our realm of understanding in that…God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall never perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) God loves you, because you believe in His Son.
Mark 9:23 ” Everything is possible for him who believes.”
To the outside world, trusting in Jesus Christ is just plain crazy. To many people, placing your faith in the Gospel is ludicrous. But to the Believer…hope is forged, one faith-building miracle at a time. The world may shake its head in scorn at your trust…but belief in Jesus will never disappoint.
Revelation 21:6 ” He said to me: ‘ It is done, I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.’ “
The life-giving Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ is totally free. It doesn’t require your money. It doesn’t require your good works. It doesn’t require anything on your part…only turning your heart towards Jesus.
Revelations 11:15 ” The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign for ever and ever.”
Great countries rise and fall…mighty world powers come and go…but some day soon the Anointed One, Jesus Christ, will return and have total predominance over the universe. His kingdom will be firmly established… His power and authority never to be questioned…His dominion to endure through all generations. (Psalm 145:13)
Psalm 52 :3 “…falsehood rather than speaking the truth.”
Masks…we wear them all the time. They hide the pain, fear, and anxiety in all our lives. By putting up this façade of “everything’s just great in my life”, we can cope around friends, family, and the Church. When we put up a good front for others, we hope we won’t be judged as weak, or unspiritual. But this mask of falsehood is not only us lying to others…but us lying to ourselves also. No one is perfect…no one can live a perfect life…no one that is but Jesus. And Jesus Christ came to get rid of the old Covenant of Laws and unattainable regulations…that we might be free. Free to take off those masks.
Luke 2:11 ” Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.”
The Anointed One…Jesus Christ came to deliver you from the guilt and power of sin in your life…and from eternal death. If you had been the only person on Earth, He would have come to save you…for it says in this passage, “…a Savior has been born to YOU.”
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