Saving Grace

“The wicked know no peace and you just can't fake it; there's only one road and it leads to Calvary. It gets discouraging at times, but I know I'll make it, By the saving grace that's over me.” Bob Dylan

I want this song “Saving Grace” sung at my funeral. The wicked know no peace, read the news a billionaire arrested for sex trafficking with minor girls. I hope that all the rich people who were this guys friends go down with him. There is no peace for the wicked says the Lord. Look at so many people who have achieved success and made a ton of money, they have no peace and you just can’t fake it. Listen there is only one road, there are not many roads to God there is one. Jesus said I am the Way, no one comes to the Father except by me. This one road leads to one place the cross of Jesus Christ. Living the Christian life does get discouraging at times, it is not the easy path, or the broad road that leads to destruction. “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. (Matthew 7) One thing I know is that I will make it because of the saving grace that’s over me.

Learning to Laugh More

“You have as much laughter as you have faith.” 
― Martin Luther

As usual Luther has an interesting take on laughter. I believe this is true because you don’t really see people filled with doubt’s laughing very much. To doubt means to be without a way, you simply do not know what to do. People with even less laughter are those in unbelief. Unbelief means you know what to do but you will not do it. This is the sin the Israelites committed in the wilderness, and the sin we are warned against in Hebrews three. Unbelief is also translated disobedience in the New Testament. On the positive side the more faith, the more trust you have in God relieves the pressure of having to trust in yourself and sets your soul free to laugh. You can laugh because you don’t take yourself very seriously, you don’t obsess over minor issues in life. You do not worry because you know God is in control and you’re not. You can laugh at yourself. The more faith I have the more I can laugh even in the face of trials and difficulties because I am trusting in my Heavenly Father to take care of me. I hope this little exhortation helps you and frees up your ability to laugh.

If you have questions about God, about Jesus Christ, or life in general you can contact me at freerblues@gmail.com

Providence

What does God's Providence tell us? Providence tells me that the God who created the world is still personally involved in maintaining it and sustaining it. Jesus Christ is “upholding the universe by His word of power” (Heb.1:3), that He is holding all of creation together (Col.1:17). If Jesus Christ would stop His continuing activity of sustaining all things in the universe, then everything except the triune God would instantly cease to exist. Providence tells me that God “Accomplishes all things according to the counsel of His will” (Eph. 1:11). Chance or fate have nothing to do with what takes place in this world or in my life. God causes the rain to fall, He causes the grass to grow (Psa. 104:14). God feeds all the animals (Psa. 104:27-29), Jesus said “look at the birds of the air. . .your Heavenly Father feeds them” (Matt.10:29). Providence tells me that God “rules over the nations” (Psa. 22:28), “He made from one every nation of men to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their habitation” (Acts 17:26). When King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon repented of his pride he praised the Most High and said, “For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom endures from generation to generation; all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing; and He does according to His will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth, and none can stay His hand or say to Him, what are you doing?” (Daniel 4:34-35).
This is our God, this is my God, this is the God who saves.

Who Can Enter?

Donald Grey Barnhouse was speaking about the cross and the need to believe on the Christ who died upon it said, “Imagine that the cross has a door in it. All you are asked to do is to go through. On the side facing you are the words “Whosoever will, may come”. You stand there with the burden of your sin upon you and wonder if you should enter in or not. Finally, you do and as you do the burden of your sin falls away, you are safe and free. Joyfully you turn around and see written on the other side of the cross through which you just now entered the words, “Chosen in Him before the foundation of the world”.

Jesus said "I am the door if anyone enters by me he will be saved"
Who can enter? Jesus said "anyone" Salvation is pictured as walking through a door. Jesus didn't say he was a wall you had to climb over and if you made it you would be saved he said walk through the door. The door is not locked its open all you do is walk through. Its not an exalted door that only people with money can go through, its not a hidden door that only those with knowledge can find, it's a street level door accessible to anyone. If you want to be saved walk through the door and you will be.

Why People Feel Lost

Many people feel lost today. This is reflected in our culture — art, poetry, books, magazines, music, movies, T. V. Shows. In a time when we think we have more control we are finding most of life is out our control (example - recent disasters, terror attacks). People are doing their best to feel at home in this world. Everything centers around self. The natural inclination of the unsaved heart is to think the universe revolves around us. To think this way is spiritually insane. We refuse to believe we should live for something more than this present life. We treat this world as if it were the only home we will ever have. We concentrate on arranging it for our comfort.
We find ourselves in a age of nuclear threats, torture, oppression, terrorism, brainwashing, and natural disasters. We expected life to be friendly instead it mocks our hopes leaving us frustrated and disillusioned. We thought we were wise instead we’re like children lost in the dark we ask, “Is there a plan?”, “What’s the point of this life?” God’s world is never friendly to those who forget its maker. God alone made life and only God can tell us it’s meaning. If we want to make sense of life in this world we must know God. And if we want to know God we must turn to the Bible.

Preserve Your Sanity

“THE END OF ALL THINGS IS AT HAND; THEREFORE, BE SELF-CONTROLLED AND SOBER-MINDED" 1 Peter 4:7
Peter is saying preserve your sanity. Don't lose your mental or moral balance in view of the nearness of the end times. As the end time approaches we need to keep alert and be aware of conditions in our world but not be thrown off balance or give way to panic. We are to be of sound mind. How many Christians thought the world would end in 1988 & 1989 or Y2K? Or today with the red heifer or the blood moons? The idea of keeping "sane" is that of thinking in a level headed way about yourself.
This sanity will lead to being "clear headed". The opposite of clear headedness is intoxication. So this word meant literally "not drunk" and figuratively that the mind was alert and clear devoid of mental intoxication or fuzzy thinking, or bad doctrine. The nearness of the end times is no excuse for believers to fall apart or drop out. We must be sound, stable, balanced mentality, it's time for clear thinking. Think clearly because the end of all things is near and you need to be fully in control of your thoughts.

God is in Control

Are you facing some trial right now? Something that is overwhelming you? I declare to you the very heart of biblical Christianity, that the God whom you know in Jesus Christ sits upon the throne of the universe and all power, all authority in heaven and earth belongs to him, is controlled by him and is subject to him. The world has not gone mad it’s gone very sinful. But God is in control. The government does not rest upon Satan’s shoulders, it does not rest on some political leaders in Washington, or London, or Moscow or Beijing or the Middle East, the government of this world rests firmly on the shoulders of Jesus Christ so “WHY ARE YOU SO AFRAID, O YOU OF LITTLE FAITH?” This question applies to Christians today as much as it did to those disciple that were in the boat with Jesus. I listen to Christians who have have listened so much to the news media that they do not remember that Jesus is in the boat with them. Christians have no need to live in fear about what is happening to this country or any other country because Our God is in control of every nation.

The Safety Of God being For Us

Paul is not saying that God is on our side in the middle of our struggles but that God is “FOR US” and that has nothing to do with something in us (our merit) or something we do (our works), it is his attitude to all who are in Christ, all who are his children. Our hearts are weak and we are prone to legalism and unbelief and at times we have a hard time receiving the words, “God is for us”. God is for us; we have failed but He is for us. We are ignorant but He is for us. We are struggling but He is for us, we are doubting but He is for us. We are weak but He is for us. We are not as fruitful as we should be but He is for us.

Some Christians wonder if they can put themselves outside of God’s grace by committing some terrible sin that will nullify God’s redemptive work in them. Tragically some churches teach that this is possible. But if we by our own power or effort were not able to save ourselves or to free ourselves from sin or to make ourselves God’s children, how could it be that by our own power and work we could nullify the work of grace that God himself accomplished in us? Let your heart and mind surrender to the fact that God is eternally for those who believe and he has eternally committed himself to you - without conditions and without requirements. Your life does not affect the fact that God is for you. “MY SHEEP HEAR MY VOICE: I KNOW THEM, AND THEY FOLLOW ME. I GIVE THEM ETERNAL LIFE, AND THEY SHALL NEVER PERISH; NO ONE CAN SNATCH THEM OUT OF MY HAND” (John 10:27-28).

What does it mean that God is “FOR US”?

What does it mean that God is “FOR US”?
The goal of grace is to create a love relationship between God and us who believe the kind of relationship we were first made for.
The revelation of the New Testament is that God is our heavenly Father, we are His children and He is “FOR US”. We could say that how well a person understands Christianity is related to how much he makes of the thought of being God’s child, and having God as his Father. If God being your Father doesn’t motivate, and control your worship and prayers and your whole outlook on life. You don’t understand Christianity very well.
God being for me has nothing to do with my ability, my performance, or my obedience. Once you set qualifications for God being for you, you have left grace and have put yourself back under the law. If you don't know or believe that God is for you because of what God decided about you in eternity past and then sent his own son to become a man and take your place, pay for your sins on the cross and rise from the dead to secure your justification and secure your place in the Father's family. Then you don't really know the God of the bible and you will live in fear and insecurity. I get up every day thanking God that he is for me!

The Cross Our Only Hope.

If Christ had not come there would be no forgiveness for sin or victory over sin. “WITHOUT SHEDDING OF BLOOD THERE IS NO FORGIVENESS” (Heb.9:22 NASB). The Bible says that He came to seek and save the lost. He saved us from the guilt of sin. The only thing that can take away the burden of guilt is the blood of Jesus. “SO, BY VIRTUE OF THE BLOOD OF JESUS, YOU AND I, MY BROTHERS, MAY NOW HAVE CONFIDENCE TO ENTER THE HOLY OF HOLIES BY A FRESH AND LIVING WAY” (Heb.10:19 J.B. Phillips). Man has always tried to provide his own atonement but only Christ can wipe the slate clean and blot out the writing which is written against them. Only He can remove the heavy burden of guilt that causes so many people to live under a gray cloud. Only Christ can forgive sin and give victory over sin. The cross is our hope.

Jesus Is In Control Of All Of Life

Jesus calms every storm, every wind, and every wave. This is symbolic that he is in control of all of our life. God never promised his people an easy life, just read church history or biblical history. There are mysteries in his providence that we will never understand in this life. That’s why we’re called to live by faith and not by sight. This scripture teaches us that the mystery of God’s providence is to motivate us to exercise faith not to drive us from faith. The great difference between a Christian and a non-Christian is that all the storms, trials, troubles, difficulties, sorrow in this life, the Christian, even though he doesn’t have an answer for each of them, has an over-reaching answer that God will work all things together for good to those who love God

The Good News Of God

The exclusive claims of Jesus Christ to be “THE WAY AND THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE” are sealed when he adds, “NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH ME” (John 14:6) Since mankind is absolutely dependent on Christ for their knowledge of redemptive truth and also for the spark that causes that truth to live in their souls (and for their souls to become alive to that truth) it follows that no one can come to the Father but through him. When Christ is removed there can be no redemptive truth, so there is no eternal life, resulting in no way to the Father.

This is our human condition— we are alienated from God, ignorant of the truth, and condemned to spiritual and physical death. The wonderful truth of Christ’s claim is that it’s the divine answer to our problems on three levels. Instead of alienation there is a “way” to God. Instead of ignorance and error there is “the truth”. Instead of death there is “the life”. So this scripture is actually the gospel the good news of God.

The Nature Of Sin

Oswald Chambers wrote, "The nature of sin is not immorality and wrongdoing, but the nature of self-realization which leads us to say, "I am my own God." This nature may exhibit itself in proper morality or in improper immorality, but it always has a common basis--my claim to my right to myself." This is our problem we all claim to have a right to our-self. No one can tell us anything because we know what is best for us and God help the person who gets in our way! C.S. Lewis put it this way, "Pride is the ruthless, sleepless, unsmiling concentration on self"

Lord deliver me from myself, and help me to see how much I get in the way of making any spiritual progress.

Saved by grace alone or not saved at all!

“I AM PRAYING FOR. . . THOSE WHOM YOU HAVE GIVEN ME FOR THEY ARE YOURS” John 17:9 Jesus values them simply because they belong to God. Jesus is saying I am praying for these people because they are yours and I am concerned for what is yours. We are God’s personal possession, Jesus is praying for us because we belong to him. How ridiculous for Christians to worry and fear when the shepherd and caretaker of their souls is caring for them. “You are not your own, for you were bought with a price’ (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
Believers are the Father’s love gift to the Son. It is unthinkable that the Father would permit this gift of love to fail by one believer being lost. Salvation is totally of God’s grace. If we could not be saved by our good works why should we be condemned after we are saved by some sin or act of disobedience? If God who knows all things knew that we would fail, why would he have given his son in the first place? Either we are saved by grace alone or we are not saved at all!

Contrasts Between Law And Grace Part 2

Let these contrasts between law and grace really sink into your heart and mind and praise God that you are now under grace:

1. The law stops us from coming to God - Grace invites us to come just as we are. “Just as I am, without one plea”.
2. The law condemns the sinner - Grace redeems him.
3. The law says, “Do this and live” - Grace says, “It is done.”
4. The law says, “Try” - Grace says, “It is finished.”
5. The law curses the sinner - Grace blesses the believer.
6. The law kills the sinner - Grace saves him.
7. The law shuts every mouth before God - Grace opens the mouth in praise to God.
8. The law condemns the best man - Grace saves the worst.
9. The law says, “Pay what you owe” - Grace says, “It is paid.”
10. The law says, “THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH” - Grace says, “THE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE.”
11. The law reveals man's sin - Grace atones for man's sin.
12. The law brings the knowledge of sin - Grace provides redemption from sin.
13. The law was given by Moses - Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
14. The law demands obedience - Grace gives power to obey.
15. The law was written on stone - Grace is written in the heart.
16. The law was done away with in Christ - Grace abides forever.
17. The law puts you under bondage - Grace sets you free.

I want you to know that I will never give up my position under grace to put myself back under the curse of the law. I will never give up my security in Christ to go back to trying to keep myself saved by good works.

The Contrast Between Law And Grace

The Contrast Between Law And Grace (2 Corinthians 3:5-18)
Paul is speaking about the law in its narrowest sense referring to the Ten Commandments. Paul is contrasting the law with grace, by giving this description of the law:

1. The law is “the letter” - not “of the spirit” (v.6).
2. This “letter kills” but “The Spirit gives life” (v.6).
3. The law is “the ministry of death . . . carved in stone” accompanied by a temporary glory (v.7).
4. The “The ministry of the Spirit” has a greater permanent glory (v.8).
5. The law was “The ministry of condemnation” (v.9).
6. Grace is “The ministry of righteousness” (v.9).
7. The law was “being brought to an end” (v.11, 13).
8. Grace is “permanent” (v.11).
9. The law was a “veil” that prevented approach to the presence of God (v.14-15).
10. Under grace “When one turns to the Lord the veil is removed (v.16).

In the light of this why would any Christian want to go back under the law? Why go back under the ministry of condemnation and death? Anyone who wants to go back to the feasts, to observance of days, to dietary laws etc. does not understand the law and does not understand grace.

Legalism Defined

Legalism could be defined as any attempt to rely on self effort to either attain or maintain our justification before God. Legalism denies that Christ is completely sufficient for salvation. It is the belief that some additional element of self-effort, merit or faithfulness on our part is necessary to maintain a just standing before God.

This is the idea that we are saved by faith alone but our ultimate salvation depends on our works. Or we are saved by grace but kept by keeping the law. This is not just ignorance of grace but a greater ignorance of the law.

What It Means To Be Justified

To be justified doesn't mean that our behavior has changed it means that we are treated differently based on a new view of who we are. For someone to be justified means they are no different than they were before but they are counted or viewed differently. A proper understanding of this new view is what will ultimately change our behavior because we are no longer considered enemies of God but friends. A dynamic change has happened inside but it does not clearly appear on the outside. The gospel transforms you from the inside out. Most people assume that what it means to be a christian is to promise to be good or to live a good life and try really hard to follow Jesus. This is not the essence of Christianity. To become a christian is not just to become good. Becoming good is the result of becoming a Christian. 
 
When you are justified it doesn't mean you no longer sin and are now sinless and perfect, it means you're no longer viewed by God in the same way. Even though you still sin your sins can no longer bring you into condemnation, you are accepted by God and are righteous in his sight.

All You Need To Know

All you need to know: "What shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31

The conjunction "If" brings uncertainty to our minds, the dictionary says it is an uncertain possibility. But in the Greek language it means "if as is the case" or we would say "in view of the fact" or "sense" God is for us, it is an affirmation. The gospel tells us that God is really for us in Christ Jesus. Not only that but he will never be against us in this lifetime or the next. On the cross God was against Jesus so that he could be for all those who are united to Christ by faith. Tell yourself God is for me, think about it, rest in it, God is for you.

Gospel Transformation

The gospel transforms us from the inside out. This is completely different than moral reformation which starts on the outside, trying to change you through will power and legalism. Paul’s message is that Jesus “GAVE HIMSELF FOR OUR SINS TO DELIVER US FROM THIS PRESENT EVIL AGE” (Gal.1:5). The gospel is once you have believed in Christ you are justified and no matter what you have done your sins can never bring you into condemnation again. You are children of Abraham, heirs of God and you have been adopted into God’s family and set-free.
The problem religious people have is that they don’t see how in the world it’s possible to tell people that God accepts them in Christ no matter what they do. In Christ they are forgiven and free and the result of knowing that will produce the kind of incentive needed to live a godly life. This is grace plus nothing. I want 200 proof grace straight up with no mixture.