Justified by Faith
Acts 15:7 And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: “Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, 9 and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they."
Problems exploded over the gentiles getting saved but wasn't being told to obey the commandments of Moses by the Pharisees in church at Jerusalem. These type of arguments have flared up in the church every since. Nobody told the Pharisee to live by the law! Yet they feel its their job to enforce the law upon others. We should let God determine what He desires from us, after all, its His law. God seemed to approve the gentiles entering the kingdom since He poured out His Spirit upon them, as He did the Jewish believers. God knows the hearts! He sees what man cannot. He knows the motives of man. God Purified their hearts because of their faith in Him. God gave them His Holy Spirit! Now, who are we to refute that action? I didn't always appreciate my brothers who just came to faith but didn't prove themselves. I treated them as highly suspect. Yet, shame on me, for who was I to consider unclean whom God proved He cleansed by His Spirit? Oh, God has long washed me of this stinking thinking.
Im thankful for the leadership of Chuck Smith had over Calvary Chapel. Through the years, many religious men questioned his stance on grace, him giving young people opportunities to serve, holding to the word of grace, and such. He held the coarse even though he would be ridiculed and belittled for them. He didn't waver, for he was a shepherd fighting off dangerous wolves, whom sought to destroy the sheep, He knew the sheep wasn't his, but belonged to the LORD! Those backroom deals were not welcomed or accepted. Through Gods grace, we shall be saved in the same manner as the gentiles.
With every new convert to Christ, it teaches me how gracious my LORD has been to me. I'm amazed He would even call me out. I'm more amazed He would call me the longer Ive been a Christian,
Problems exploded over the gentiles getting saved but wasn't being told to obey the commandments of Moses by the Pharisees in church at Jerusalem. These type of arguments have flared up in the church every since. Nobody told the Pharisee to live by the law! Yet they feel its their job to enforce the law upon others. We should let God determine what He desires from us, after all, its His law. God seemed to approve the gentiles entering the kingdom since He poured out His Spirit upon them, as He did the Jewish believers. God knows the hearts! He sees what man cannot. He knows the motives of man. God Purified their hearts because of their faith in Him. God gave them His Holy Spirit! Now, who are we to refute that action? I didn't always appreciate my brothers who just came to faith but didn't prove themselves. I treated them as highly suspect. Yet, shame on me, for who was I to consider unclean whom God proved He cleansed by His Spirit? Oh, God has long washed me of this stinking thinking.
Im thankful for the leadership of Chuck Smith had over Calvary Chapel. Through the years, many religious men questioned his stance on grace, him giving young people opportunities to serve, holding to the word of grace, and such. He held the coarse even though he would be ridiculed and belittled for them. He didn't waver, for he was a shepherd fighting off dangerous wolves, whom sought to destroy the sheep, He knew the sheep wasn't his, but belonged to the LORD! Those backroom deals were not welcomed or accepted. Through Gods grace, we shall be saved in the same manner as the gentiles.
With every new convert to Christ, it teaches me how gracious my LORD has been to me. I'm amazed He would even call me out. I'm more amazed He would call me the longer Ive been a Christian,
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2024
January
Long winded PreachingDifficult Callings are still CallingsA whole Bible makes a Whole ChristianPurchased by His Blood.Am I a Giver or TakerDirection or Information by the Holy SpiritIm Set to Join My LORDLook, focus on these thingsSame Steps as Jesus' trialThe Power of a Personal TestimonyChosen to Know, See, & Hear GodKeep it Simple, PRAYDon't trust this worlds systemsWisdom among EnemiesLORD stood by meKill Paul or die tryingDon't Put Jesus OffThe Resurrection is Mind blowingCrazy or SoundHow Powerful is Gods WordFight Conventional wisdomGod, why go through this storm?My Pain is Your Gain
February
What Shall I Do In Rome?Our Roots as GentilesStay at Home JobExperiencing Gods WordHow do I become Wise?Simplicity isnt always goodTrust in your LORDGods CommandGenuine FaithTeaching Sound DoctrineEmpowered by the SpiritChrist' MissionFight the Good Fight of FaithAvoiding a Titanic DisasterMen's Spiritual DutyJesus Is GodJesus is LightThe Great Shama
March
God Directs my ordersJesus Came According to the ScripturesFaith the World hearsGiving to God is personalHow to PrayTo Whom do you pray to?Holy is His name.Gods will be done nowReveal Your Word to us todayYou forgive us & we forgive othersDeliver Us From evilForgive because you've been forgivenHow do I Fast?What does your heart treasure?Does Your Eye lead You in Light?You Cant Serve Two MastersTriumphal EntryMonday Passion WeekTuesday Passion WeekWednesday Passion WeekThursday Passion WeekFriday Passion WeekSaturday Passion WeekResurrection Sunday
April
Seek the Kingdom of GodLive dont worry about tomorrowAre We To Judge Or Not?Ask, Seek, KnockThe Golden RuleEnter the narrow gateBe a Fruit InspectorBut Does the LORD Know Me?Is Jesus Your Foundation?Teaching Like I've never HeardIs Jesus willing?A Gentiles Great FaithMom will be just fine with JesusHave you counted the cost of following Jesus?Faith over FearGoTrue Faith Can Be Seen"Follow Me" JesusJesus eats with sinners?Sorrow or Joy?
2023
November
You Are Appointed To Eternal Life? What Say You?Antidote To Poison | God's WordGiving God HIs GloryCounting The Cost To Being Christ's DiscipleOld Habits hard to BreakJustified by FaithHere is the listRevival in the ChurchesWhen not to Preach the WordYour Not InsignificantPraise Him AnywhereRequirement for SalvationWhich Jesus?Quality Time
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1 Comment
One of the most beautiful things in this life is to watch a shepherd who cares for the flock with full knowledge that those noisy, stinky, wandering sheep belong to the Lord and are treasured by Him. Thank you.