by Jamie Pantastico | Mar 17, 2024 | Daily Encouragement |
In 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Paul outlines the gospel: Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again. Salvation comes through faith in this message.
Recognizing our sinfulness, we trust in Christ’s sacrifice for salvation (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Romans 10:9). It’s a free gift received by faith, not works (Ephesians 2:8-9). When we believe, we’re sealed with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13) and baptized by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13).
As believers, we await Christ’s return (1 Thessalonians 4:16; Titus 2:13). Let’s share this gospel with others, inviting them to believe in Jesus Christ for salvation.
Full Bible Verses:
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 – “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.”
Romans 10:9 – “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
Ephesians 1:13 – “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,”
1 Corinthians 12:13 – “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.”
1 Thessalonians 4:16 – “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.”
Titus 2:13 – “looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,”
by Jamie Pantastico | Mar 10, 2024 | Daily Encouragement |
In Romans 3:22-24, we encounter a profound truth: “Even the righteousness of God which is by the faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”
Understanding Justification
‘But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.’
Romans 5:8
Being justified is a divine act of God, a judicial declaration where He pronounces the believing sinner “just as if they never sinned.” But how does God justify the ungodly? Through His grace! Despite our sin, He justifies those who believe through the redemptive work of His Son, Jesus Christ, who paid the price for our sins with the finished work of the cross.
Justified Freely – No Strings (works) Attached
Our justification is not earned or deserved. God doesn’t justify us because we ticked off a checklist of righteous deeds. It’s not about baptism, repentance, church membership, financial contributions, or commandment-keeping. We are justified freely, without a cause! It’s all about God’s grace or nothing at all.
‘I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.’
Galatians 2:21
God justifies, or saves, those who recognize their sinfulness and hopelessness. Salvation is free for all mankind, but it is appropriated only to those who, by faith alone, believe that Jesus Christ died for their sins, was buried, and rose from the dead on the third day.”
In essence, our justification is a marvel of God’s grace—a gift freely given to those who trust in, put their faith in, believe the finished work of the cross.
by Jamie Pantastico | Mar 9, 2024 | Daily Encouragement |
In the life of a believer, Jesus stands as the unshakable anchor of our greatest hope. The apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, articulates this profound truth across his letters.
Romans 5:2 reminds us that through faith, we stand in grace, rejoicing in the hope of God’s glory. Our hope is not in fleeting circumstances but in the eternal glory that awaits us.
1 Corinthians 15:19 challenges us to seriously reflect on the significance of our hope. If it were confined to this earthly existence alone, our hope in Christ would be pitiable. Yet, Paul magnifies our hope beyond the temporal, fixing our gaze on the eternal promises found in Jesus.
Colossians 1:27 unveils a mystery—the hope of glory resides within us, and that hope is Christ Himself. It’s a transformative hope that shapes our identity and purpose.
In 1 Timothy 1:1, Paul establishes the authority of his apostleship by emphasizing that it is “by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ” that he writes. Our hope is anchored in God’s grace and the redemptive work of Jesus.
The crescendo of our hope is beautifully articulated in Titus 2:13. We are urged to look with anticipation for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Our supreme hope transcends circumstances and earthly matters. Our hope is firmly anchored in Jesus Christ, His redemptive work, and the promise of His glorious return. As believers, let us steadfastly cling to this hope, finding assurance in the unwavering faithfulness of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Scriptures:
Romans 5:2: “through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
1 Corinthians 15:19: “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.”
Colossians 1:27: “To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
1 Timothy 1:1: “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope.”
Titus 2:13: “looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”
by Jamie Pantastico | Mar 7, 2024 | Daily Encouragement, Israel and Bible Prophecy |
In a world filled unprecedented hatred for the Jewish people and the nation of Israel, there stands an unwavering truth: the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is not finished with His chosen people. The book of Jeremiah verses 32:37-43 declare that Israel, despite its present state of unbelief, remains the “apple of His eye” and an integral part of God’s eternal plan.
The world, and most of Christendom for that matter, may turn their backs on Israel (or not even recognize Israel and God’s chosen people “replacement theology”), but let this serve as a clear warning: those who oppose God’s covenant people tread on perilous ground. The promise of Genesis 12:3 holds true today—those who bless Israel will be blessed, and those who curse Israel will find themselves in the annals of forgotten history.
In Psalm 89:24-37, the unbreakable covenant with David echoes through the ages, proclaiming that God’s promises are not contingent on the present circumstances of His people. Even when Israel falters in unbelief, the Almighty remains steadfast in His commitment.
To the world chanting slogans of upheaval, like “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” beware: the force (Jesus Christ) that holds the universe in its hands stands guard over His chosen people. No cry for the demise of Israel, no matter how loud, can alter the course set by the Creator of all things. The warning is clear—those who defy the divine order and seek the downfall of God’s chosen people, the Jewish people, risk being crushed by a force mightier than any in the universe.
Let Psalm 89:24-37 and Jeremiah 32:37-43 serve as a resolute reminder: God’s promises endure, and the destiny of His chosen people, the Jews, remains under the sovereign protection of the Almighty.
Scripture References:
Jeremiah 32:37-43
Genesis 12:3
Psalm 89:24-37
Jeremiah 32:37-43
“Behold, I will gather them out of all countries where I have driven them in My anger, in My fury, and in great wrath; I will bring them back to this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely. They shall be My people, and I will be their God; then I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me forever, for the good of them and their children after them. And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from doing them good; but I will put My fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from Me. Yes, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will assuredly plant them in this land, with all My heart and with all My soul.”
Genesis 12:3
“I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you, all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Psalm 89:24-37
“But My faithfulness and My mercy shall be with him, and in My name, his horn shall be exalted. Also, I will set his hand over the sea, and his right hand over the rivers. He shall cry to Me, ‘You are my Father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.’ Also, I will make him My firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth. My mercy, I will keep for him forever, and My covenant shall stand firm with him. His seed also, I will make to endure forever, and his throne as the days of heaven.”
by Jamie Pantastico | Mar 5, 2024 | Daily Encouragement |
As we eagerly await the Rapture, our blessed hope, let’s take heed to what the apostle Paul writes on how we as members of the Body of Christ, should represent Him as His ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20). Our daily walk should reflect the godly guidelines and Christlike behavior outlined in Scripture; below is a list of a few.
‘Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. ‘
II Corinthians 5:20
- Galatians 5:22-26 (NKJV): “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”
- 1 Corinthians 1:10 (NKJV): “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”
- 1 Thessalonians 4:8-11 (NKJV): “Therefore, he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit. But concerning brotherly love, you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you.”
- 2 Corinthians 12:20 (NKJV): “For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults.”
- 1 Timothy 5:13 (NKJV): “And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.”
- Ephesians 4:29 (NKJV): “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”
- 1 Corinthians 13:13 (NKJV): “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”
Let’s walk in love through our words and deeds, embodying the virtues that reflect our identity as ambassadors of Christ.