by Jamie Pantastico | Aug 23, 2023 | Daily Encouragement |
Romans 8:37
“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”
IMPORTANT: And how do we know we are more than conquerors? By faith! When we are going through trials and tribulations, and overwhelmed with uncertainty we don’t feel like we’re conquerors. But we are because God said we are! It is our faith in what God has promised that provides us with the comfort and strength we need.
Life brings challenges that may seem overwhelming, yet in Romans 8:37, we find enduring hope: We’re more than conquerors through Christ’s love.
No matter the trials, we’re not alone. Our loving Savior, Jesus Christ, is with us, giving us the strength to rise above pain, grief, stress, and anxiety.
This verse reassures us that our identity isn’t defined by circumstances but by our relationship with the One who overcame the world. Anchoring in His love (the cross) gives us unwavering strength to endure. We strengthen our faith by studying His word, prayer, and fellowship with other believers.
Takeaway
Through Christ’s love (the work of the cross; the death, burial, and resurrection), you’re not just conquerors; you’re more than conquerors. His love empowers you to overcome, reminding you that you’re cherished by the One who conquered all.
by Jamie Pantastico | Aug 20, 2023 | Daily Encouragement |
The principle that, without the shedding of blood, there can be no remission of sins is an enduring truth and absolute in the Scriptures, transcending both the Old and New Testaments. In Exodus 12:13, the Passover lamb’s blood serves as a mark of protection, foreshadowing the redemptive work of Christ on the cross.
Hebrews 9:22 underscores this theme, stating that “without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins.” This biblical absolute highlights the significance of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice on the cross, wherein His blood became the essential propitiation for redemption.
The apostle Paul further expounds this concept in Romans 3:24–25, affirming that believers are “justified by His grace” through Christ, who is the propitiation through His blood.” Romans 5:9 echoes this sentiment, declaring that we are “justified by His blood” and thereby saved from God’s wrath.
In Ephesians 1:7, Paul emphasizes redemption through Christ’s blood, culminating in the forgiveness of sins. The apostle Peter concurs, stating in 1 Peter 1:18–19 that believers were redeemed “with the precious blood of Christ.”
The takeaway is that these passages underscore the indispensable role of Christ’s blood in securing salvation and the remission of sins. Just as the blood on the doorposts marked the Israelites’ deliverance, Christ’s blood serves as the means of forgiveness for our sins and reconciliation for all who believe.
‘being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; ‘
Romans 3:24-25
by Jamie Pantastico | Aug 19, 2023 | Daily Encouragement |
In Galatians 3:1, the apostle Paul passionately addresses a crucial issue that resonates even in modern times – the danger of slipping back into legalistic practices despite having received salvation through grace. Paul’s words echo through the ages, reminding us that our faith is founded not on our works or religious rituals, but solely on the finished work of Christ on the cross.
“O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified?”
Galatians 3:1
Paul’s astonishment and admonition stem from the Galatians’ inclination to add human effort to the equation of salvation. This timeless warning holds relevance today as well. Many still encounter the misconception that faith alone is insufficient for salvation. Many preach and teach that along with faith, additional actions like baptism or specific acts of repentance are necessary to be saved.
However, Paul’s message remains resolute: salvation comes exclusively through faith in Christ’s sacrificial death, burial, and resurrection. This message liberates us from the bondage of legalism, traditionalism, and religious performances.
Today, we, like the Galatians, are reminded to resist any teaching that veers from the central tenet of salvation by grace through faith. Let us stand firm in the truth that Christ’s sacrifice is sufficient, eliminating the need for additional human efforts. As Paul later reiterates in Galatians 5:1, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.”
May we, as believers, treasure and proclaim the freedom of grace and the sufficiency of Christ’s finished work, resisting any doctrine that attempts to diminish the power of His atonement.
BELOVED…
SALVATION IS BY BELIEVING BY FAITH ALONE THAT WE ARE SINNERS WITHOUT HOPE AND INCAPABLE OF DOING ANYTHING TO SAVE OURSELVES. SO GOD SENT HIS ONLY SON JESUS CHRIST TO DIE/SHED HIS BLOOD FOR OUR SINS, WAS BURIED AND ROSE FROM THE DEAD 3 DAYS LATER. NOTHING ELSE. THE MOMENT WE BELIEVE BY FAITH ALONE IT IS GOD WHO COMES INTO OUR LIVES, GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT INDWELLS US AND SEALS US, AND BAPTIZES US INTO THE BODY OF CHRIST, MAKING US A NEW CREATION, AND ONLY THEN ARE WE CAPABLE OF CHANGE, AND EVEN THEN IT ISN’T ANYTHING WE DO, BUT GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT EMPOWERS US TO CHANGE. WE CAN DO NOTHING WITHOUT GOD NO MATTER HOW MUCH WE REPENT OR HOW MANY TIMES WE ARE DUNKED IN WATER! ONLY THE GOSPEL HAS THE POWER UNTO SALVATION.
‘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
Peter vs. Paul: Conclusion: Paul tells Peter How Mankind will Be Saved Going Forward
by Jamie Pantastico | Aug 18, 2023 | Daily Encouragement |
We are no doubt living in uncertain and challenging times, these verses offer a breath of hope. “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” Galatians 6:9. It’s easy to become disheartened by the challenges we face daily, but here we are reminded to stand firm. The harvest of blessings awaits those who persevere (not for salvation, we are already sealed) in doing good, fueled by the promise of our being with the Lord forever (1 Thessalonians 4:17).
In a world filled with turmoil, these words become a lifeline. God’s grace is our anchor in the storm, enabling us to continue on our journey with unwavering determination. As we extend kindness and goodness to others, we radiate the light of Christ in the darkness.
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10). Our time on earth is fleeting, but our actions can have lasting (eternal) impact. Let us seize every moment to extend grace, love, and help to everyone we encounter. Especially to fellow believers, who need support as we journey together through these turbulent times.
Doing Good is Never In Vain
1 Corinthians 15:58 reinforces that our labor for the Lord is never in vain. Every effort, every act of kindness, every display of His love holds eternal worth. As we navigate a world in total despair, our commitment to living godly lives and serving fellow believers is a reflection of His grace working in us.
So, when weariness threatens to engulf us, let’s remember these verses. Persevere (not for our salvation, we have that), for the harvest is assured. Keep doing good, for in our actions, God’s grace shines, overcoming the darkness of this world. Let’s walk this path with faith, studying His word, lifting each other up, and knowing that God’s promises are steadfast (the promise from God that we will be with Him forever), even in the midst of a wicked and evil world.
‘These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”’
John 16:33
by Jamie Pantastico | Aug 17, 2023 | Daily Encouragement |
‘Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. ‘
Galatians 6:1
The teaching in Galatians 6:1 goes against the worldview. But we are not of the world, we are in Christ. We can’t worship God and treat people like garbage because of their failures (especially fellow believers). Don’t Judge but instead pray for restoration, if they are unbelievers pray that God opens their hearts to the gospel.
“Remember, brethren, when you encounter someone overtaken in sin, approach with a spirit of gentleness and humility. Just as this verse instructs, consider your own vulnerabilities, for we all stand in need of grace. Judge not, lest you too face the same temptations.”
In this verse, Paul offers guidance on how to handle a fellow believer who has stumbled into sin. He advises the spiritually mature to extend restoration with gentleness and a humble spirit. It’s a call to show understanding and forgiveness, mindful of our own vulnerabilities. This verse reminds us that our human tendencies must yield to grace, lest we too find ourselves entangled in transgression. It’s a poignant reminder of our shared struggle against our human nature.
Believers are Sealed for Eternity but the Old Nature Remains which is our fleshly body. It is a constant battle between our New Nature v. the Old Adamic Nature: Read Galatians 5:16-17.
‘I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. ‘
Galatians 5:16-17