Not Interested in a Religious Show, God Wants Our Faith

Not Interested in a Religious Show, God Wants Our Faith

by | Mar 23, 2023 | Daily Encouragement | 0 comments

Isaiah 1:11-15 are Bible verses that are really quite terrifying! But these passages demonstrated what can happen when mankind goes off on their own and away from Christ alone by faith alone.

 

These verses are a graphic warning for us today that God is not interested in high-production fluff, tradition, concerts, and the big show that is so common to most churches. What He desires most is our faith. God is not satisfied with empty religious acts and meaningless traditions. He doesn’t care about the burnt offerings of rams, the fat of fed beasts, or the blood of bullocks, lambs, or goats. He is not pleased with incense, new moons, sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies that lack faith. God wants our hearts to be in it. God wants our faith, He wants mankind to believe what He says!

 

‘“To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?” Says the Lord. “I have had enough (Remember this is God speaking and He’s saying “I’ve had it!”) of burnt offerings of rams And the fat of fed cattle. I do not delight in the blood of bulls, Or of lambs or goats. “When you come to appear before Me, Who has required this from your hand, To trample My courts? Bring no more futile sacrifices; Incense is an abomination to Me. The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies— I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting. Your New Moons and your appointed feasts My soul hates; They are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood.’

Isaiah 1:11-15

 

The main point of controversy that God had with the Nation of Israel was not their adherence to the strict instructions of Temple worship, which they followed precisely, but their lack of faith. Despite their meticulous attention to detail, their approach to God had become lifeless and devoid of faith. Similarly, many churches today go through the motions of religious practices without truly embracing the underlying truths, fundamentals, and doctrine with faith. God desires simple faith above all else.

 

God is not interested in a big show; He desires our faith. He wants us to trust Him, to study, to know and have faith in His word, and to rely on His promises. Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6).

 

Let us not get caught up in the show of worship, let us pray that we never just go through the motions of worshipping the One Who shed His blood for us. But let us worship God because of our faith (with all our heart) in what He has done on our behalf at the cross. Let us put all our trust in Christ alone (Christ crucified, bloodshed, death, burial, and resurrection), study His word, and walk in His ways. Let us not merely go through the motions of religion, but let us have a living faith that brings glory to God.

 

‘Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.’

Hebrews 10:19-25

 

 

Knowing What the Bible Doesn’t Say About Salvation

Knowing What the Bible Doesn’t Say About Salvation

by | Mar 22, 2023 | Daily Encouragement | 0 comments

You do not get saved by:

  1. Keeping the Mosaic Law
  2. Being Baptized
  3. Repenting
  4. Joining a Church
  5. Doing good works
  6. Tithing
  7. Going to church

 

Knowing how a person is not saved is just as important as knowing how a person is saved. Rejecting (unbelief) the gospel is the most obvious reason why a person is not saved, but another more insidious way is by adding to the gospel. Many good people are being led astray by philosophy and vain deceit (a works salvation), according to the tradition of men and not after Christ (Colossians 2:8).

 

‘Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. ‘

Colossians 2:8

 

The gospel of the grace of God is simple and clear: Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Anyone who believes this gospel alone is saved. The entire world will be judged by the gospel of grace (Romans 2:16).

 

‘Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, ‘

I Corinthians 15:1-4

 

The apostle Paul warned that when he was taken off the scene, savage wolves would come in not sparing the flock, and from among your selves, men would arise speaking twisted things to draw away the disciples after them (Acts 20:29–30). Many pastors, theologians, and false apostles are Satan’s ministers of light, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ (2 Corinthians 11:13–15).

 

‘For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. ‘

Acts 20:29-30

 

Salvation is by faith alone, and adding anything to the gospel will condemn you (Galatians 1:6–9). Many churches proclaim salvation is by grace through faith alone but require other traditions like baptism, perseverance, producing good works, repenting (we can do nothing to change; God does that), church membership, or anything else the modern-day Judaizer wants to add.

 

‘I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.’

Galatians 1:6-9

 

God’s grace is a free gift, and anyone who works will not receive it as grace but as debt (Romans 4:4-5). Christ’s death was not in vain, and if righteousness comes by the law, then grace is nullified (Galatians 2:20–21).

 

‘I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”’

Galatians 2:20-21

‘Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, ‘

Romans 4:4-5

 

The gospel is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes (Romans 1:16). Anyone who believes by faith alone in Christ crucified, buried, and raised again on the third day will be saved. God knows if you truly believe or not (2 Timothy 2:19).

 

‘Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”’

II Timothy 2:19

 

In conclusion, we must know the true gospel and the doctrines tied to it. The gospel of grace is not a suggested gospel, and pastors should not mold it to fit a denomination, tradition, or theology. Anything added to the gospel is heresy, damnable to those who teach it, and condemnation to those who believe it.

 

What Happens When We Die? Understanding Our Eternal Destination

What Happens When We Die? Understanding Our Eternal Destination

by | Feb 3, 2023 | Bible Doctrine | 0 comments

Ever wondered about the fate of a believer after passing away? Amidst various opinions and theories, II Corinthians 5:1–8 in the Bible delivers a clear and definitive answer.

 

‘For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.’

II Corinthians 5:1-8

 

In this passage, Paul explains that we have a permanent, heavenly home waiting for us that is not made with human hands. Our current physical body is just a temporary tent, and when we die, we will be instantly transferred into God’s presence in soul and spirit. Although the exact state of our being at that moment is not revealed in Scripture, we know that we will eventually receive a new, eternal body. This new body will be fashioned like Jesus’ glorious body (Philippians 3:20–21) and will be changed in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet (I Corinthians 15:51–53).

 

Paul encourages us in Philippians 3:20–21 and I Thessalonians 4:13–18, reminding us that our ultimate destination is heaven and that we will be reunited with our loved ones who have passed away in Christ. He also assures us in I Corinthians 15:51–53 that we will not all sleep, but that we will all be changed.

 

‘For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.’

Philippians 3:20-21

‘Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. ‘

I Corinthians 15:51-53

 

 

The Take Away

As believers, we can take comfort in knowing that our physical death is not the end but rather a transition into the eternal presence of God. So let us walk this life in faith, trusting in His word, and looking forward to the day when we will be changed and live with Him forever.

 

Devotional: “Do Not Fear Death”

Dear friend, as believers, we have the assurance of eternal life with God. Death may seem frightening, but it is only a temporary separation from our physical bodies. Let us not fear death, but rather embrace it as a transition into the presence of our Lord. Take comfort in knowing that one day you will be reunited with your loved ones and will live in eternal glory with God. Keep your focus on Jesus and the hope that is waiting for you. Trust in His love and faithfulness, and know that He will never leave or forsake you.

 

How to get to heaven? Believe the gospel. 

 

The Joy In Justification: “Just as If You Never Sinned”

The Joy In Justification: “Just as If You Never Sinned”

by | Feb 2, 2023 | Bible Doctrine | 0 comments

Romans 5:1 tells us that we have been justified by faith in Jesus Christ. This means that God declares us righteous, just as if we never sinned. This is a remarkable truth that should bring us immense joy and peace.

 

Justification is a judicial act of God in which the righteous and holy God sees our faith in the gospel and declares us justified. It is not based on our feelings, but on the word of God. Our justification is not something that we can understand with our human minds, but it is God’s word that declares it, and we can rest in what God promises and believe Him.

 

The key to experiencing justification is faith. Faith is simply taking God at His word and believing what He says about salvation. We don’t need to try to figure it out in our human understanding, but simply trust in what God has said. When we believe the gospel by faith alone – that Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose from the dead three days later – God steps in and saves us, and does everything on our behalf, including justifying us.

 

The Takeaway

Let us rest in the truth of our justification by faith in the gospel. God has declared us righteous, just as if we have never sinned. Let us experience the joy and peace that comes from this truth and trust in God’s word above all else. God said it believe it.

 

Devotional:

Take a moment to reflect on the joy of your justification by faith in Jesus Christ and your faith in the gospel. Thank God for declaring you righteous and just as if you never sinned. Ask Him to help you rest in this truth and to trust in His word above all else. Let the peace and joy of this truth fill your heart today and always.

 

 

 

Made Alive by the Power of the Gospel – Ephesians 2:1-3

Made Alive by the Power of the Gospel – Ephesians 2:1-3

by | Jan 31, 2023 | Bible Doctrine | 0 comments

‘And you (belivers) He made alive, who were (past tense) dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.’

Ephesians 2:1-3

 

In Ephesians 2:1-3, Paul reminds believers of the spiritual helplessness they faced before they were redeemed by God. The apostle Paul paints a clear picture of the hopeless state all believers were in prior to believing the gospel but by the power of the gospel we have salvation. Let’s read Romans 1:16;

 

‘For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. ‘

Romans 1:16

 

Paul describes the lost person as being “dead in trespasses and sins.” This means that they have no relationship with God, separated from God because of sin (Old Adam or our sin nature). They are also in spiritual bondage to Satan, controlled by the prince of the power of the air. Finally, they are rebellious by nature, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and children of wrath.

 

However, despite their spiritual helplessness, Paul reminds us that God has quickened us, giving us new life and transforming us from the inside out. He has redeemed us from our bondage to sin and Satan (Colossians 1:13), and has made us new creatures in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). We no longer live according to the course of this world, but according to God’s will and plan for our lives.

 

This passage is a powerful reminder of the transformative power of the gospel of grace. It reminds us that even though we were once helpless and hopeless and separated from God, the gospel has the power to transform our lives and give us hope. We can do nothing but praise Him for His matchless grace, now and forever.

 

Devotional for the Day:

Dear God, I am in awe of your grace and the power it has to transform my life. I am grateful for the reminder that I was once dead in trespasses and sins, but that you quickened me and gave me new life in Christ. Help me to live each day in gratitude for your incredible grace, and to share this message of hope “the gospel” with others. Amen.