The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in John 14:23-24,
"Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching."
Salvation is an affair of the heart, not of earned recompense. Salvation is something given, not earned. Our love for God is expressed in the faith we embrace him in. He has left only so much evidence of himself that, in order for us to embrace him in faith, we have to want him, desire him. For those who don't want God, any excuse to reject him will do.
Paul used Abraham as an example of how our salvation is not earned but given freely on the basis of faith, "If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. What does Scripture say? 'Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.'" Romans 4:2-3. He went on to say, "Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness." Verses 4-5. Here Paul clearly points out salvation is by faith, and that faith is not a "work." If it were, then God would be in a position of owing us our salvation - no longer a gift but an obligation.
In John 14:23-24, Jesus said that the outcome, the manifestation of our love for him would be evidenced by our obedience to him. The one leads to the next. We read of a question put to Jesus, "'What must we do to do the works God requires?' Jesus answered, 'The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.'" John 6:28-29.
"Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching."
Salvation is an affair of the heart, not of earned recompense. Salvation is something given, not earned. Our love for God is expressed in the faith we embrace him in. He has left only so much evidence of himself that, in order for us to embrace him in faith, we have to want him, desire him. For those who don't want God, any excuse to reject him will do.
Paul used Abraham as an example of how our salvation is not earned but given freely on the basis of faith, "If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. What does Scripture say? 'Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.'" Romans 4:2-3. He went on to say, "Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness." Verses 4-5. Here Paul clearly points out salvation is by faith, and that faith is not a "work." If it were, then God would be in a position of owing us our salvation - no longer a gift but an obligation.
In John 14:23-24, Jesus said that the outcome, the manifestation of our love for him would be evidenced by our obedience to him. The one leads to the next. We read of a question put to Jesus, "'What must we do to do the works God requires?' Jesus answered, 'The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.'" John 6:28-29.
Jesus is the one who did all the work, the heavy lifting, to make our salvation possible. When he died on that cross, he paid the penalty for all of our sins. All he asks of us is to embrace him in faith!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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