What Were You Thinking
In our journey of faith, it's easy to fall into the trap of believing we need to earn our salvation or add to what Christ has already done. But the truth is far more liberating: the crucifixion of Jesus Christ was more than sufficient for our salvation.
This powerful message echoes through the words of Paul to the Galatians. He doesn't mince words, calling them "foolish" for turning away from the truth they had initially embraced. It's a stark reminder that even believers can be swayed by false narratives that diminish the power of the gospel.
The Completed Work of Christ
At the heart of this message is a fundamental truth: there is nothing we need to do to earn our salvation. The completed work of Jesus Christ on the cross is all-encompassing and all-sufficient. When we try to add our own efforts or works to what Christ has done, we unintentionally diminish the magnitude of His sacrifice.
It's a humbling realization - none of us are good enough to earn salvation on our own merit. We are 100% reliant on Jesus. This dependence isn't just for our salvation, but for every breath we take. Each morning we wake up is a testament to God's grace and mercy. If God were to withdraw His hand from this earth for even a moment, we would cease to exist.
The Gift of the Holy Spirit
Our salvation comes by faith alone, and it is through this same faith that we receive the Holy Spirit. This divine gift isn't earned but freely given when we say yes to Jesus. The Holy Spirit's presence in our lives is like the wind - while we can't see it directly, we can observe its effects in our lives and the lives of those around us.
The apostle Paul reminds us that our new life began in faith, and it would be foolish to try and live it in the flesh. How often do we relate to Paul's words, "My spirit is willing, but my flesh is weak"? We may start our day with the best intentions to live for Jesus, only to find ourselves struggling with impatience or anger when faced with life's challenges.
Living by the Spirit, Not the Flesh
Following a set of rules does not lead to spiritual maturity. While there are principles and commandments in Scripture that are beneficial to follow, our motivation should stem from love for the Lord rather than a misguided attempt to earn salvation.
For new and seasoned believers alike, it's crucial to examine whether we're trying to walk according to the flesh or according to the Spirit and the Word of God. Our flesh is weak and prone to wickedness. Popular sayings like "follow your heart" can be misleading, as Scripture clearly states that the heart can be deceitful. Instead, we must ensure our desires align with God's will.
The Example of Abraham
Paul points to Abraham as a powerful example of faith. Without the law or written instructions, Abraham simply believed God and stepped out in faith. His trust in God's promises was credited to him as righteousness. This same blessing of faith is available to us today.
Blessings and Miracles
While doing good things can sometimes lead to positive outcomes, the truly remarkable blessings are those that are clearly from God - the ones that are beyond our own capabilities. These include miracles, answered prayers, and the transformation that occurs when people come to salvation.
God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He still performs miracles, often in ways we least expect. The fact that we wake up each morning and draw breath is itself a miracle. But beyond that, God continues to work in powerful ways, bringing people to salvation and growing spiritual maturity in believers.
It's important to note that simply studying or memorizing Scripture doesn't automatically lead to salvation or spiritual growth. There are those who know the Bible inside and out but miss its true message. True understanding and growth come through the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
A Call to Faith
Where are you in your faith journey? Perhaps you're struggling, trying to earn God's favor through good deeds or religious practices. Maybe you've never said yes to Jesus, thinking you need to clean up your life first. The truth is, the only thing you need to do is put your faith in Christ.
Yes, reading the Bible, praying, and being part of a church community are important for spiritual growth. But these things flow from a relationship with Christ, not as prerequisites for it. The first step is always saying yes to Jesus and accepting His finished work on the cross.
As we reflect on these truths, let's remember that our salvation and spiritual growth are not about our efforts, but about trusting in Christ's completed work. We are called to walk by faith, relying on the Holy Spirit, and resting in the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice.
In a world that often tells us we need to do more, be more, and achieve more, the gospel message is refreshingly simple yet profoundly powerful: trust in Christ alone. His work on the cross is enough. His grace is sufficient. His love is complete.
May we learn to rest in this truth, allowing it to transform our lives from the inside out. As we do, we'll find that our desire to study God's Word, pray, and fellowship with other believers grows naturally out of our love for Him, rather than from a misguided attempt to earn His favor.
Let's embrace the freedom that comes from faith in Christ, walking in the power of the Holy Spirit, and trusting in God's promises. For it is by grace we have been saved, through faith—and this is not from ourselves, it is the gift of God.
This powerful message echoes through the words of Paul to the Galatians. He doesn't mince words, calling them "foolish" for turning away from the truth they had initially embraced. It's a stark reminder that even believers can be swayed by false narratives that diminish the power of the gospel.
The Completed Work of Christ
At the heart of this message is a fundamental truth: there is nothing we need to do to earn our salvation. The completed work of Jesus Christ on the cross is all-encompassing and all-sufficient. When we try to add our own efforts or works to what Christ has done, we unintentionally diminish the magnitude of His sacrifice.
It's a humbling realization - none of us are good enough to earn salvation on our own merit. We are 100% reliant on Jesus. This dependence isn't just for our salvation, but for every breath we take. Each morning we wake up is a testament to God's grace and mercy. If God were to withdraw His hand from this earth for even a moment, we would cease to exist.
The Gift of the Holy Spirit
Our salvation comes by faith alone, and it is through this same faith that we receive the Holy Spirit. This divine gift isn't earned but freely given when we say yes to Jesus. The Holy Spirit's presence in our lives is like the wind - while we can't see it directly, we can observe its effects in our lives and the lives of those around us.
The apostle Paul reminds us that our new life began in faith, and it would be foolish to try and live it in the flesh. How often do we relate to Paul's words, "My spirit is willing, but my flesh is weak"? We may start our day with the best intentions to live for Jesus, only to find ourselves struggling with impatience or anger when faced with life's challenges.
Living by the Spirit, Not the Flesh
Following a set of rules does not lead to spiritual maturity. While there are principles and commandments in Scripture that are beneficial to follow, our motivation should stem from love for the Lord rather than a misguided attempt to earn salvation.
For new and seasoned believers alike, it's crucial to examine whether we're trying to walk according to the flesh or according to the Spirit and the Word of God. Our flesh is weak and prone to wickedness. Popular sayings like "follow your heart" can be misleading, as Scripture clearly states that the heart can be deceitful. Instead, we must ensure our desires align with God's will.
The Example of Abraham
Paul points to Abraham as a powerful example of faith. Without the law or written instructions, Abraham simply believed God and stepped out in faith. His trust in God's promises was credited to him as righteousness. This same blessing of faith is available to us today.
Blessings and Miracles
While doing good things can sometimes lead to positive outcomes, the truly remarkable blessings are those that are clearly from God - the ones that are beyond our own capabilities. These include miracles, answered prayers, and the transformation that occurs when people come to salvation.
God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He still performs miracles, often in ways we least expect. The fact that we wake up each morning and draw breath is itself a miracle. But beyond that, God continues to work in powerful ways, bringing people to salvation and growing spiritual maturity in believers.
It's important to note that simply studying or memorizing Scripture doesn't automatically lead to salvation or spiritual growth. There are those who know the Bible inside and out but miss its true message. True understanding and growth come through the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
A Call to Faith
Where are you in your faith journey? Perhaps you're struggling, trying to earn God's favor through good deeds or religious practices. Maybe you've never said yes to Jesus, thinking you need to clean up your life first. The truth is, the only thing you need to do is put your faith in Christ.
Yes, reading the Bible, praying, and being part of a church community are important for spiritual growth. But these things flow from a relationship with Christ, not as prerequisites for it. The first step is always saying yes to Jesus and accepting His finished work on the cross.
As we reflect on these truths, let's remember that our salvation and spiritual growth are not about our efforts, but about trusting in Christ's completed work. We are called to walk by faith, relying on the Holy Spirit, and resting in the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice.
In a world that often tells us we need to do more, be more, and achieve more, the gospel message is refreshingly simple yet profoundly powerful: trust in Christ alone. His work on the cross is enough. His grace is sufficient. His love is complete.
May we learn to rest in this truth, allowing it to transform our lives from the inside out. As we do, we'll find that our desire to study God's Word, pray, and fellowship with other believers grows naturally out of our love for Him, rather than from a misguided attempt to earn His favor.
Let's embrace the freedom that comes from faith in Christ, walking in the power of the Holy Spirit, and trusting in God's promises. For it is by grace we have been saved, through faith—and this is not from ourselves, it is the gift of God.
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