The Light of Christ

God opens our eyes of understanding, when we see the truth. It comes quickly to dispel darkness, through the light of Christ. The change is sudden and abrupt. Darkness is defeated immediately in the presence of light. That's the way God's Son changes people who have lived in spiritual darkness. Christ is the light of truth, taking away the darkness of unbelief. 

The Holy Spirit opens our eyes of understanding to see the truth of Christ. We see the light by new birth, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is not our achievement. Rather, light comes to us from without, changing us from within. There was darkness, then there is light. That's God's work in us, "the eyes of our understanding being enlightened" (Ephesians 1:18).

Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life" (John 8:12). The light of Christ comes to us by the grace of God through the Holy Spirit. We see Christ dying for our sins. We see Christ as our living Lord (Romans 10:9).

"If we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin"(1 John 1:7). Our eyes of understanding are open to see the light of Christ as the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). We see ourselves cleansed from all sin to walk in the light of Christ.

Do Not Be Deceived

Do not be deceived. We reap what we sow. There is a law of nature that involves sowing and reaping. A farmer sows the seed and expects to reap a harvest. That is also a spiritual principle. We reap what we sow. That's the reason Scripture says, "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap" (Galatians 6:7). 

A person without Christ continues to sow to the flesh, which is the corrupt nature of those who reject the grace of God in Christ. They are deceived by the works of the flesh in their unbelief. While a believer sins from time to time, he cannot continue in sin without the discipline of the Lord (Hebrews 12:5-11). Believers repent and confess their sins to find fresh cleansing in the blood of Christ (1 John 1:7-9).

Do not be deceived. "For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself" (Galatians 6:3). If we think that we are above temptation, we deceive ourselves. Every believer faces temptation from time to time without exception. Yet, we can depend upon God to help us when tempted (1 Corinthians 10:13). 

Do not be deceived by false doctrine. Salvation is not by grace plus our works. To the contrary, salvation is by the grace of God, through the finished work of Christ. It's through Christ crucified for our sins and risen for our justification. It's Christ working in us. We are his workmanship as a new creation in Christ. "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation (Galatians 6:15).

Resisting God's Grace

The TULIP acronym uses the expression irresistible grace. But, is grace irresistible? R. C. Sproul, a Reformed theologian wrote, "The term irresistible grace is misleading." He further wrote, "God's grace is resistible in the sense that we can and do resist it." Dr. Sproul concluded, "Thus I prefer the term effectual grace."

Scripture is clear that people resist the grace of God. "You always resist the Holy Spirit" (Acts 7:51). Scripture also speaks of those who have "insulted the Spirit of grace" (Hebrews 10:29). Until the Holy Spirit comes with conviction and changes our hearts, we resist God's grace. Thereafter, we desire to follow Christ and seek to do God's will.

Dr. Sproul used his preferred term, effectual grace. That is grace which effectively changes the hearts of people through the gospel of Jesus Christ. In the book of Acts, Lydia is an example of effectual grace. "The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul" (Acts 16:14). She heard the gospel, believed and was baptized.

If people resist the grace of God by rejecting the gospel, it's their choice. They are responsible for their own just condemnation. However, if people hear and believe the gospel of Christ, they do so because the Spirit of grace has worked effectively in their hearts.

God's Mercy for You

God our Father is merciful (Luke 6:36). As a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, you have received God's mercy. Justice was served for sinners in Christ crucified, according to His mercy He saved us (Titus 3:5). God's mercy for you is in Christ.

God's mercy for you is at the cross of Jesus. His mercy takes away all of your sins. The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7). God's mercy is for you as a believer in God's Son. Jesus was raised from the dead to prove every believer's justification from all sin. 

God's mercy for you is in Christ crucified. Jesus suffered and died for sinners like you and me. Justice demands eternal judgment for all who have sinned. Justice was served at the cross, when Jesus paid the full price for our sins. 

God's mercy for you is believing in Christ. Justice says, Because you are guilty of breaking God's law, you deserve eternal judgment. Mercy says, You are guilty but Jesus took your judgment at the cross. Justice was served on your behalf, that you may receive mercy by faith in Christ alone. 

God mercy for you is through the gospel of Christ, who died for our sins and risen for our justification (Romans 4:25). Those who reject God's mercy in Christ receive God's justice, which is condemnation. However, there is no condemnation for those who receive God's mercy in Christ (Romans 8:1).

Christ Our Scapegoat

The scapegoat in the Old Testament symbolically took away the sins of the nation of Israel (Leviticus 16). The High Priest laid his hands upon the scapegoat. That symbolized the transfer of the peoples sins to another. Then, the scapegoat was led into the wilderness, symbolizing sins taken away. That Old Testament figure points to our Lord Jesus Christ. As believers in Christ, your sins are gone. 

The scapegoat in the Old Testament foreshadowed Jesus taking your sins away. The Lord Jesus Christ was punished in our place as sinners at the cross. That's the Gospel of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). He who was sinless, was punished for your sins. Through faith in Christ your sins are gone.

Charles Spurgeon preached, "Now, he who believes in Jesus, who puts his hands upon the head of Jesus of Nazareth, the Scapegoat of His people, has lost his sins. His faith is sure evidence that his iniquities were of old laid upon the head of the great Substitute. The Lord Jesus Christ was punished in our place."

Spurgeon taught the truth of the Gospel, when he declared faith is the evidence. By grace through faith in Christ, our sins are gone. The Bible teaches, "the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7). God's Son has taken all your sins away. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is evidence that your sins are gone.

Anyone May Be Saved

J. I. Packer wrote, "Rather, we should live in light of the certainty that anyone may be saved if he or she will but repent and put faith in Christ." 

The gospel is for anyone who will believe and confess Jesus Christ is Lord (John 1:12; Romans 10:9). The promise of God is certain, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13; Joel 2:32). That's who God saves.

The Scripture is clear that we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). Our salvation is receiving the gift of God in Christ. The Spirit of God convicts us of the sin of unbelief, not trusting in Christ alone to save us (John 16:8-9).

The Holy Spirit enables us to put faith in Christ our Lord. Saving faith is an abiding gift of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 13:13). Through faith alone in Christ alone is how God's grace saves us.

What about those who will not repent and put faith in Christ? J. I. Packer wrote, "God gives them over to their sins (i.e., removes restraints on their doing the disobedient things they desire), this is itself the beginning of judgment. It is called 'hardening' (Romans 9:18; 11:25; cf. Ps. 81:12; Romans 1:24, 26, 28), and it inevitably leads to greater guilt."

If You Are Converted

Conversion is repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21). The Holy Spirit enables you to repent and believe the gospel of Christ. God's goodness leads you to repent (Romans 2:4). If you are converted, you have faith in Jesus Christ our Lord.

If you are converted, it's the gospel of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). The Holy Spirit brings conviction as you hear the gospel. Conversion is preceded by the Spirit of grace. The Lord opens your heart to hear the gospel (Acts 16:13-15). The Holy Spirit convicts and convinces you of the need to believe in Christ (John 16:7-11). 

If you are converted, your life is changed through the Holy Spirit. Repentance is a change of mind through the renewing of the Holy Spirit transforming your life (Romans 12:2). Faith is an abiding gift of the Holy Spirit. He enables you to repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 18:27).

Evidence that you are converted is clear. Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him (1 John 5:1). Conversion to Christ is evident, as you love God and others. Love is the greatest gift of the Holy Spirit, because God is love (1 Corinthians 13:13; 1 John 4:8). 

If You Fear God

Godly fear is the highest reverence for God. To the contrary, tormenting fear is not from God. It is never good, and always evil. It doesn't come from God (2 Timothy 1:7). Yet, Godly fear motivates you to have faith in God. "By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark" (Hebrews 11:7).

"And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from doing them good, but I will put My fear in their hearts, so that they will not depart from Me" (Jeremiah 32:40).

If you fear God, you are in the everlasting covenant of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jeremiah prophesied the everlasting covenant. It is confirmation to you as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ (Hebrews 13:20-21). It means God is working in you what pleases Him. He puts His fear in your heart.

If you fear God, you have eternal salvation in Christ. Fearing God is designed for your good and gives you assurance that you will not depart from Him. Godly fear is evidence that God is at work in you. God says, "I will put My fear in their hearts, so that they will not depart from Me" (Jeremiah 32:40).

Do you fear God? Without the fear of God, you are lost without a saving relationship with God. "There is no fear of God before their eyes" (Romans 3:18). Thank God for putting His fear in your heart.

Interpreting the Bible

Frederick Bruce wrote,"Any part of the human body can only be properly explained in reference to the whole body. And any part of the Bible can only be properly explained in reference to the whole Bible." Dr. Bruce understood the danger of taking a verse out of context. It must be explained in the context of the chapter and book where we read it, as well as the context of the whole Bible.

Interpret verses in the Bible within the context. The Bible is given by inspiration of God the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16). When we interpret a verse with other verses, we are being taught by the Spirit of God. He will guide us into all truth (John 16:13).

Interpret verses in the Bible comparing Scripture with Scripture. Look at the other verses in the same chapter, as well as the book and the whole Bible. That is to say, you interpret Scripture with Scripture. A verse in the Bible is not properly interpreted, when taken out of context.

Satan tempted Jesus, quoting a verse taken out of context (Luke 4:3-8). Other Scripture was ignored. Jesus overcame this temptation, quoting another Scripture to interpret Scripture. That's a warning for us today not to take verses in the Bible out of context. Remember to interpret Scripture with Scripture. The Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth.

God Is with You

God is like the very air you breathe. You can't see the air. Yet, you know that without air, you can't live. So it is with God. His very presence sustains your life. "Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?"(Psalm 139:7). Wherever you are now, you can know God is with you.

"God is spirit"(John 4:24). That means God is unseen to your eyes. God is like the air you breathe, you cannot see him. Only faith can recognize his presence. That's the reason you must come to God by faith. 

Our faith is not based upon what our eyes can see."Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen"(Hebrews 11:1). Faith is sure of God's presence everywhere and always.

Only the heart transformed by the Spirit of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, can know God's presence always. "For we walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7). God's Spirit enables us to believe his presence is with us. God says to us,"I will never leave you. I will never forsake you"(Hebrews 13:5).

God is with you. Think of the very air you breathe, in you and all around you. So it is with God. Walk with God by faith and talk with God along the way. He is there for you today and everyday. No matter where you are, recognize God is with you.

Born Again and Sure

Charles H. Spurgeon said, "You are born again if you believe that Jesus is the Christ, if you are relying upon a crucified Savior you are assuredly begotten again unto a lively hope." 

We may not comprehend all the movements of the Holy Spirit in our new birth, but we can be sure of our new birth by faith in Jesus Christ. There is mystery involved in our new birth (John 3:8). Jesus taught that people must be born again to enter the kingdom of God (John 3:5). It is a work of the Holy Spirit changing our hearts to believe in Christ (Romans 10:9).

The Bible confirms what Spurgeon clearly explained. "Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of him" (1 John 5:1). If you are born again, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is sure evidence.

If you are born again, you believe that Jesus is the Christ. You believe the gospel of Jesus Christ. He died for your sins. He is risen from the dead as your Lord (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). The written word of God and your faith in Christ is the evidence. That's certainly true, if you are born again.

If you are born again, the sure evidence is believing in Christ. Jesus is the Christ, the promised Messiah in the Old Testament and the Christ of the New Testament. New birth finds evidence by faith in Christ. That's the reason Spurgeon said, "You are born again if you believe Jesus is the Christ." 

Know God as Father

J.I.Packer wrote, "What is a Christian? The question can be answered in many ways, but the richest answer I know is that a Christian is one who has God as Father." 

Jesus said, "No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and any one to whom the Son chooses to reveal him" (Matthew 11:27). 

Packer taught, "Sonship to God is not, therefore, a universal status into which everyone comes by natural birth, but a supernatural gift which one receives through receiving Jesus."

Dr. Packer was right! Being a Christian is knowing God as your Father. God's grace enables us to repent of our sins and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 17:30; 16:31). The Holy Spirit comes into your life to know God as your Father. 

"You received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, Abba, Father. The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God" (Romans 8:15-16).

Jesus Christ came into this world that all believers may know God as Father. Trusting Christ gives us a relationship with God as our Father. Believers are children of God the Father through faith in the Son of God, Jesus Christ. 

Change Your Mind

God commands all people everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30). Charles Spurgeon explained, "To repent is to change your mind about sin and Christ and all the great things of God." He went on to say, "The person who truly repents is never satisfied with his or her repentance. We can no more repent perfectly than we can live perfectly."

When you repent, there is a change of mind about sin and Christ. You knew that you were a sinner who had fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). You knew that only the Lord Jesus Christ could save you from the curse of sin and the power of sin. Repentance is turning from the sin of unbelief to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31).

Christians are not perfect people in this life. We are still tempted and sin from time to time. Therefore, when you repent, you confess your sins to God. Then, you find fresh cleansing from your sins, through the blood of Jesus Christ (1 John 1:9).

Spurgeon said, "To repent is to change your mind." As you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ through Bible study, your mind is changed by receiving more truth from the word of God. That is one reason Spurgeon taught that "we can no more repent perfectly than we can live perfectly." You receive more understanding in "all the great things of God."

The Gospel Is Christ

The word gospel simply means good news. It's the good news of God to all nations, about the Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). It's good news because Christ died on the cross to save us from the judgment of our sins. It's good news because God gives us eternal life, through believing on the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is risen from the dead to give believers everlasting life (Romans 6:23).

The gospel of Jesus Christ is sufficient for all. Yes, all are sincerely invited to Christ. Most assuredly, the gift of eternal life in Christ is certain for all who repent and believe. Therefore, the gospel must be preached to all nations and people without exception (Matthew 28:18-20).

If the gospel of Christ is for all, why are all not saved? Jesus answered the question. "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil" (John 3:19). All people will simply not come to Christ, but many are certain to come to Him. All who do so will never be turned away (John 6:37).

The gospel for all people certainly doesn't imply that anyone is saved without responding to the gospel. It does mean that the death of Jesus Christ for our sins effectively saves all who believe. Christ risen from the dead saves all who call upon him (Romans 10:9-13). Therefore, the gospel of Jesus Christ must be preached to all nations and people (Mark 16:15). 

Christ the Only Way

John MacArthur said, "Salvation from eternal condemnation is by faith alone (sola fide), and Christ alone (solus Christus) saves. Apart from Christ, there is no hope for anyone."

What MacArthur wrote is based upon clear Bible teaching. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). Jesus is the only way to God the Father.

Jesus Christ is the only true way to God the Father. He said, "I am . . . the truth." He is the truth according to the Scripture. The Holy Spirit bears witness to the truth of Christ in our hearts. The Holy Spirit enables you to believe and confess the truth (1 Corinthians 12:3). 

Jesus Christ is the only living way to God the Father. He said, "I am . . . the life." The resurrection of Jesus from the grave on the third day proves that He is the living way. The power of the Holy Spirit raised Him from the grave (Romans 1:4).

Jesus said, "No one comes to the Father except through me." Others may say, "There are many ways to God." Choose the words of Jesus our risen Lord over other opinions. Jesus is the only one who died for our sins. Jesus claimed that He would rise from the dead. He proved His words true. 

How We See God

Jesus said, "God is Spirit ..." (John 4:24). That means we cannot see God with our eyes, because he is invisible to us. However, we can see God and walk with him by faith. 

Moses was an example of faith that sees God who is invisible. "By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing him who is invisible" (Hebrews 11:27). He fulfilled his destiny, because of faith that endured, seeing him who is invisible. 

We see the invisible God like we see the wind move. We see what the wind is doing and where it is moving. So faith is able to see what God is doing and where he is moving. Faith sees "that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men" (Daniel 4:17). Faith sees the Most High God ruling and reigning in life. Faith enables us to see what God is doing in our lives.

Faith sees not by natural vision through our eyes, but with understanding from the word of God (Romans 10:17). We walk with God daily by faith. We remember that faith is "the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). We are walking by faith, "as seeing him who is invisible."

Those who have faith in God see him ruling over all. "For of him and through him and to him are all things, to whom be glory forever" (Romans 11:36). Faith sees God according to the truth of the word of God. Believers see God at work in all things to his glory forever.

Predestined In Christ

The word "predestination" is a controversial term. However, the important point is that all in Christ are predestined to an inheritance as adopted children of God. Most people probably think it means predestined to heaven or hell. The Bible does not teach that. However, Scripture does teach that God "in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ." 

"He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will" (Ephesians 1:4-5). 

We are predestined in Christ, and in Christ alone. The word predestined means to foreordain or mark off before hand. Christ was chosen by God the Father to be our Savior "before the foundation of the world." God has "predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ."

We are predestined in Christ to be adopted children in God's eternal family. God chose us in union with Christ as His adopted children. Jesus is God the Father's only begotten Son (John 3:16). Through God's Son, we are predestined "to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will." 

Doubts of Salvation

From time to time genuine believers may have disturbing doubts about their salvation. Such doubts are most often because we focus upon ourselves and not on Christ. Trusting in ourselves leaves room for all manner of doubt. Our assurance of salvation is in Christ alone. It's knowing who saved you. 

Faith in Jesus Christ is our assurance, testifying, "I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep what I have committed to him until that Day" (2 Timothy 1:12). It's faith in Christ alone. He alone has the authority and power sure to save and keep us. 

Do not focus on your work for Christ, but his work for you and in you. The grace of Christ initiates your salvation. What he begins, Christ is more than able to finish. "Being confident of this very thing, that he who has begun a good work in you will complete it unto the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6). Your salvation is sure by faith in Jesus Christ our Lord. What he began in you continues even to the final day. That is the day of Christ, when he returns.

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved and sure (Acts 16:31). You are saved by what Christ has done for you at the cross and through his resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). You are saved by what Christ is doing in you and through you (Colossians 1:27; Hebrews 13:20-21). Christ alone saved you and not yourself. Assurance of salvation is by faith in Christ alone.

How to Love God

Love God in a personal relationship. It's all about love. Remember the greatest commandment of all. Jesus tells us, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength" (Mark 12:30). 

Love God by responding to His great love for us. God gave His only begotten Son as eternal proof of His love for us. We can testify with the apostle Paul in these words, "I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2:20). That's our relationship with God. It's all about love so amazing, so divine.

At conversion, the love of God fills your heart through the Holy Spirit. We experience the love of God through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit works in our hearts, that we may know the love of God in a personal way. "For we know how God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love" (Romans 5:5).

Love God through worship. We adore and praise Him for His great love. We surrender to His good will. We desire to please Him in the way you live. More than that, we love others because His love is in us. Jesus said, "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Mark 12:31). God loves them through us. We love God by loving others.

Knowing God Today

There is a difference in knowing God and knowing about God. Most people know about God from things they have observed or heard. Your parents may have talked to you about God. You may attend church and hear a sermon about God. However, knowing about God is not knowing God today.

Know God by faith. He who comes to God must believe (Hebrews 11:6). We cannot come to God any other way. Because God is Spirit, you cannot see Him (John 4:24). Only faith can usher us into the presence of God.

Know God through your heart. The heart is your mind, will, and emotions. God changes our hearts through the gospel of Jesus Christ, enabling our faith to know God the Father through the Son (John 14:6). We know God by looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).

Know God in a personal relationship. We walk with God by faith. For we walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). Faith assures us that God is with us, and all the time. Faith is the assurance that God hears our prayers. Faith is the evidence. When we know God, faith is the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1).

How to Rest In Christ

Works may boast and say to us, I can get you to heaven, if you try hard and labor to do your best. Salvation is the gift of God to be received. We don't work to earn a gift, we simply receive it. "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). It's not by your works, but by resting in the finished work of Christ alone. Rest in Christ through faith alone.

Rest in Christ by God's grace alone. It's about what God has done for us in Christ. It's what God is doing in us and through us. That's called grace, and its fulness is found in Jesus Christ our Lord (John 1:16). 

Jesus says to you,"Come unto Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest"(Matthew 11:28). Jesus invites all who are weary to come to Him and find rest. The word rest refers to our relationship with God in Christ. Faith in Christ means we are completely depending upon Him to do in us what we cannot do for ourselves.

Rest in Christ through faith alone. That means your confidence, trust, and reliance is in Christ alone, to do in your life what you are unable to do by yourself. Only Jesus Christ can save you. That means you rest in Christ. Rest in God's love, mercy, and grace, believing on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:30-31).

Grace Must Save Us

Charles H. Spurgeon said, "Men need to be told that, unless divine grace brings them out of their enmity to God, they will eternally perish." He went on to say "that if they are to be saved, it must be by grace, and by grace alone."

Spurgeon recognized that we are not saved by our works. If salvation is by works, we could boast of what we have done. However, salvation is by grace alone, which means it is the gift of God. Salvation is the finished work of our Lord Jesus Christ, in Christ alone. If you are saved, it's by grace alone to the glory of God alone!

Spurgeon knew that grace alone must save us, not by grace plus our works. Many teach that salvation is initiated by God's grace and must be completed by our works. Not so. If you are saved, it must be by grace alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). God's grace begins and completes our salvation in Christ (Philippians 1:6). 

Grace must save us in Christ as the gift of God. Faith receives the gift of God in Christ. The gift of grace is found in Christ alone. He alone died for our sins. He alone is risen from the dead as our living Lord. Grace is trusting the finished work of Christ for us, and the work of Christ in us. If we are saved, "it must be by grace, and by grace alone."

Faith that Pleases God

"But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6). Your relationship with God is based upon faith. You can never please God without faith. Therefore, you need to understand the faith that pleases God.

Faith that pleases God is more than an intellectual assent to the teaching of the Bible. Faith is a gift of God's grace, an abiding gift of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 13:13). The indwelling Holy Spirit gives faith to God's people as a gift which endures.

Faith that pleases God is trust. All good personal relationships are built upon trust. To know God in a meaningful relationship is to trust God through Jesus Christ (John 14:1; Ephesians 1:13). In the Greek New Testament, the word pisteuo means to believe or trust. The Bible describes God as trustworthy. Those who trust in God and His Son Jesus Christ are not disappointed (Romans 10:9-11).

Faith that pleases God is confidence. The believer's confidence is in God who works in us to please Himself. "For it is God who works in you both to will and do for His good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13). God works in our hearts to trust Him and believe on His Son. Faith that pleases God is "looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2).

How to Experience God

"Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good" (Psalm 34:8). To taste and see is to experience God. The Bible was not written simply to give you academic information about God. It was written that you may experience God today in a personal way. The Bible is your guide to experience God. 

Experience God through the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31). Come to God through faith in Christ. Jesus is the only mediator between God and you (1 Timothy 2:5). Jesus is the true and living way to God (John 14:6). Experience God's assurance of your salvation through faith in the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

Experience God through prayer. The Bible teaches us how to pray. Prayer is our personal conversation with God. It's more than speaking words from memory. Your heart is open to God in true prayer. Talk to God about anything and everything on your heart. Pray in the name of Jesus (John 14:14).

Experience God through worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). Understand that worship is your personal response to God's love and goodness. Worship God daily with your songs of praise and prayers of thanksgiving. Present yourself to God through worship (Romans 12:1-2).

God Will Accept You

God will accept you in His only begotten Son (John 3:16). Our sin is always unacceptable to God. He sent his Son into this world to take away our sins. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). At the cross, Jesus died for our sins. We are accepted by faith in God's beloved Son. "He made us accepted in the Beloved" (Ephesians 1:6).

God will accept you through the righteousness of Christ. God takes away our sins and accounts us righteous in Christ alone (2 Corinthians 5:21). Believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, we receive the righteousness of God. That's why we can sing, "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness."

God will accept you in Christ, though you are not perfect, and never will be in this life. We have failed God in many different ways. The Bible calls it sin. We can never earn our way into God's favor. His unmerited favor is called grace, and it's always a gift received by faith in Christ. Then we may testify, "by the grace of God I am what I am" (1 Corinthians 15:10).

God will accept you with love divine. His love for us is personal. God's love for us is reality seen at the cross of Jesus (Romans 5:8). He died for our sins. His sacrifice takes away all our sins (1 John 1:7). His resurrection gives believers life abundant and everlasting. God accepts us by faith in Christ (Romans 5:1). God's love for us is forever (Romans 8:38-39). 

God's Sure Mercies

"And I will make an everlasting covenant with you, the sure mercies of David" (Isaiah 55:3). Sure mercies are promised to you in a covenant relationship with God. You know from the Bible, that it is God's will to extend mercy, even the sure mercies of David. God made covenant with David concerning the coming of Christ (2 Samuel 7:12-16). It was a sure promise, because it was the promise of God fulfilled in our Lord Jesus Christ.

God's sure mercies are in the everlasting covenant through Christ (Hebrews 13:20-21). God promises to have sure mercies upon us in Christ alone. It's God's sworn promise through the everlasting covenant. Simply stated, it means that God will never change His mind.

God's sure mercies are seen at the cross of Jesus. He died for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). God accepted the sacrifice of Jesus in our place. God declared it to be true by raising Jesus from the dead (Romans 10:9). 

God's sure mercies cleanse us from all sin through Jesus Christ (1 John 1:7-9). Believe the covenant sure mercies of God in the Lord Jesus Christ to save you (Acts 16:31). God's everlasting covenant mercies are sure by faith in Christ. 

Christ Our Salvation

Christ is our salvation (Romans 1:16). The gospel is simple and clear for all to understand. Christ alone died for our sins according to the Scripture. He was buried and raised from the dead on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

Christ is our salvation freely offered to all people everywhere without exception. Christ is offered for all to receive, calling upon the name of the Lord (Romans 10:13). Believers confess Jesus as our Lord risen from the dead (Romans 10:9).

Jesus commanded His disciples to preach the gospel to everyone (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47). Christ offers himself to all people in all nations. Believing in Jesus our Lord is receiving him (John 1:11-12).

Christ is the salvation of every true believer from the condemnation of sin (John 3:17). Believers are saved from everlasting punishment (Matthew 25:46). Believers are delivered from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light (1 Peter 2:9).

Christ is salvation received by faith or rejected by unbelief (John 3:18). Those who reject the gospel of Christ are judged and perish in their own unbelief (John 3:16). That's because they believe not the Son of God (John 3:36).

Receive God's Promises

We end our prayers with the word Amen. That word means "so be it." It's a covenant term from the Old Testament. When Israel entered into the old covenant, known as the law of Moses, they spoke collectively the word Amen to agree with the commandments. Today, we use the same term to end our prayers.

The old covenant law was conditional, based upon the obedience of the people. The new covenant is unconditional, based upon the complete and perfect obedience of Jesus Christ. Therefore, we pray "in the name of Jesus. Amen." That means believers in Jesus Christ our Lord receive all of God's covenant promises.

The Bible teaches that Jesus is our Amen, according to the new covenant, also known as the everlasting covenant (Hebrews 13:20-21). Observe the contrast. Under the old covenant, the people promised with an Amen to obey God. Yet, they disobeyed. However, under the new covenant Jesus is our Amen. Jesus is the "Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation" (Revelation 3:14).

According to the law, we are all covenant breakers. In essence, we have all sinned (Romans 3:23). Jesus came to fulfill the law and bring the promises of the new covenant. Jesus is our Amen of all the promises of God (2 Corinthians 1:20). All of the promises of God are for us through the perfect obedience of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Be Free In Christ

Jesus said, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). You are free in Christ from the condemnation of sin, the curse of the law, and eternal judgment. He purchased freedom for every believer at the cross, in His own blood. Believing the truth of Jesus Christ makes you free indeed.

Be free in Christ from the bondage of sin. Jesus said, "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed" (John 8:36). That's freedom from the bondage of sin, guilt, shame, and fear. All of us have been prisoners to the bondage of sin, until Jesus Christ makes us free. All who call upon the Lord Jesus Christ are free indeed. "For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13).

Be free in Christ from the past. We are free from the past with a new beginning. We are forgiven of everything that we have ever done wrong. We are reconciled to God and renewed in Christ. God is working all things together for our good, according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). 

Be free in Christ from the guilt of sin. Believers are cleansed from all sin (1 John 1:7). God has justified us by faith in Christ. Our sin debt is paid in full at the cross. We have a new life, even everlasting life in Christ (Romans 6:23). Thank God Almighty! Believers are free in Christ, free indeed.

True Faith Saves You

Charles Spurgeon said, "It is not great faith, but true faith that saves you; and salvation does not lie in the faith, but in Christ whom faith trusts. Faith as a grain of mustard seed will bring salvation to you." A mustard seed is a very small seed. So it is with faith. It's not how much faith you have, rather it is the one in whom you have faith.

True faith is focused upon Jesus our Lord. He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). He is the only true way to God the Father. Your faith in Christ is faith in the truth. The power is in the truth, not your faith. It is faith that receives the truth in Christ.

True faith is a gift of the Holy Spirit. He is sent to bear witness of the truth in Christ. He confirms the truth in your heart and life. The Holy Spirit reveals the truth to you through the Holy Scripture. Jesus said, "If you abide in my word, you are my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 14:6). The gift of faith comes from the word of truth, inspired by the Holy Spirit (Romans 10:17). The word of Christ is the word of truth.

True faith abides in Jesus our risen Lord. That means true faith comes from the one who is the truth, "looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2). Your faith is always looking unto Jesus. Look not to yourself, nor any other but Jesus. He who is the author of your faith is also the finisher of your faith.

Who Are Sanctified?

Martin Luther wrote, "There is no justification without sanctification, no forgiveness without renewal of life, no real faith from which the fruits of new obedience do not grow."

In Scripture, all believers are sanctified in Christ. Sanctification is not the "second blessing," coming as a distinctly separate stage in the Christian life. One who believes in Christ is immediately justified and sanctified by the Spirit of God. 

As a true believer you are "elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:2). The blood of Jesus sanctifies every true believer in Christ. We are sanctified, set apart, as God's people in Christ.

Believers are immediately sanctified, or "set apart" as the purchased possession of Christ. We are bought with the price of His blood shed at the cross. The cross work of Christ is applied to our lives in regeneration as well as sanctification.

For the believer, justification happened in the past upon trusting Christ as Lord and Savior. However, sanctification is past and present, leading to glorification at the return of Christ. Until then, believers are sanctified in Christ.

Why God Answers Prayer

Charles Spurgeon said, "God is too good to be unkind and He is too wise to be mistaken. And when we cannot trace His hand, we must trust His heart. When you are so weak that you cannot do much more than cry, you coin diamonds with both your eyes. The sweetest prayers God ever hears are the groans and sighs of those who have no hope in anything but His love." 

Spurgeon prayed, because of the assurance that "God is love" (1 John 4:8). Some may think it's only about saying the right words, so they read a prayer or memorize a prayer. You can say words without considering God is love. Spurgeon understood that prayer is about a relationship focused on God's love. He said, "The sweetest prayers God ever hears are the groans and sighs of those who have no hope in anything but His love." 

Spurgeon knew that God answers prayer for "those who have no hope in anything but His love." If you really believe that God loves you, then you know that He will hear you. If you love your children, you listen to them. He who loves us, listens to our prayers.

Spurgeon understood that prayer is trusting God's love to hear and answer. We may not understand how or when God will answer our prayers. Yet, as Spurgeon said, "The sweetest prayers God ever hears are the groans and sighs of those who have no hope in anything but His love."

Forgiven and Cleansed

God gave us a conscience. It tells us when we have done wrong. God made us that way not to make us feel guilty all the time. Conscience calls us to confession. That's how God forgives us and gives us a clean conscience. Confession of sin is simply agreeing with God that we have done wrong. God wants us to have a clean conscience. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).

Christ died for all of our sins. When you confess sin to God, all of your sins are forgiven. The Bible teaches that God cleanses us upon confession of our sins.  We are made clean before God through Jesus Christ. "The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7). That's how God forgives us.

Why do some people refuse to confess their sin to God and receive cleansing through Christ? There are at least two reasons. First, they don't know the good news in Christ. Secondly, they don't really believe the good news. The believer's confession of sin brings immediate cleansing through Christ. We can have a clean conscience today.

Do you have a sin from the past that makes you feel guilty? Confess it to God. Believe the promise of His word. God will forgive you. That's how God forgives us. That's the reason Jesus died for all our sins. Thank God for cleansing you through Jesus Christ. God will forgive your sins and cleanse your conscience.

God Changes Your Heart

God changes your heart, which is the mind, will, and emotions. It is a work of grace performed by the Holy Spirit within you. Then, God does in you what you could never do for yourself. You are born again (John 3:6-8). You are a new creation in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17). Therefore, all the praise and glory is to God alone. 

God changes your mind by the Holy Spirit (Romans 12:1-2). Then you understood the power of the gospel (Romans 1:16). You repented and received Jesus as your Lord (1 Corinthians 12:3). Repentance means a change of mind. That change was enabled by the Holy Spirit changing your heart (Romans 2:28-29).

God changes your will with new desires. Before, you had no desire for Christ. You were unwilling to receive Christ. Now, God has worked in your heart with a desire for Christ (Philippians 2:13). That's the work of God in your heart through the Holy Spirit (Philippians 1:6).

God changes your emotions. Before, you had no tender emotions toward Christ nor remorse for your sins. Now, you have godly sorrow for your sins, and emotions of love and gratitude toward Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 16:22; 2 Corinthians 7:9-10). That's how God will change your heart.

Christ Our Salvation

John MacArthur wrote that "real salvation is not only justification. Salvation cannot be isolated from regeneration, sanctification, and ultimately glorification. Salvation is the work of God through which we are 'conformed to the image of His Son" (Romans 8:29).

Salvation is not what you have done for God, but what He has done for you, and what He is doing in you through Christ Jesus our Lord. MacArthur summarized it in these words: "Salvation is the work of God." That's why we gladly proclaim that it's by grace alone. It's by God's grace in our Lord Jesus Christ.

As sinners, we could never justify ourselves. However, in Christ we are freely justified from all sin.  We could never regenerate nor sanctify ourselves. Yet, we are certainly regenerated by the Spirit of God, unto faith in Christ.  God's work of salvation is completed when He glorifies us in that day unto the image of Christ.

Salvation is God's work in Christ and you gladly give Him all the glory! Let us give God all the glory today, tomorrow, and forever! Glory to God the Father, who chose us with love in Christ (Ephesians 1:4-6). Glory to God the Son, who loved us and gave Himself for us at the cross. His blood saves us from sin and condemnation. His blood sets us apart as God's people, which is our sanctification. Glory to God the Holy Spirit who regenerated us unto new birth, and He shall glorify us into the image of Christ.

God Revealed In Christ

God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself (2 Corinthians 5:19). The full revelation of God to us is in Christ. What is God like? Jesus is the express image or likeness of God the Father (Hebrews 1:1-3). We know the Father through the Son of God, Jesus our Lord.

God is revealed in Christ as the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. All should agree that the Bible is a book about God. How can we understand who God is? Christ is perfect and complete theology. No wonder Jesus said, "He who has seen Me has seen the Father" (John 14:9). Christ is the total and full revelation of God. The Bible reveals God in Christ.

Both the Old and New Testaments reveal Christ. In the Old Testament, Christ is revealed in prophecy and typology. The first prophecy of Christ coming is found in Genesis 3:15. He is the Seed of the woman. In typology Christ is revealed in signs and symbols, such as the Lamb of God. In the New Testament, Christ is revealed as fulfilling the prophecy and typology of the Old Testament.

Christ is our Lord and Savior. Christ is the author and finisher of our faith. He is the sacrifice for all our sins. He is our risen Lord. Christ is our assurance of salvation. He is the focus of our faith, the hope of our future, and the love of our lives. Christ is our all and all, now and forever!

Experience God's Love

Experience God's love in his only begotten Son. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). Whoever includes every nation, all races, and every ethnic group. Whoever includes you.

Experience God's love at the cross of Jesus. God sent His Son to die for sinners like you and me (Romans 5:8). He died for our sins at the cross (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Look at God's love in Christ crucified. This is the greatest love story the world has ever known. Yes, God the Father's love for you is forever proven.

Experience God's love through the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). The Holy Spirit makes God's love real to believers. Upon confessing Jesus as Lord, the Holy Spirit does something beyond your ability to completely understand. He pours out the Father's love into your heart. Your life is changed by love divine.

Experience God's love forever. As a believer in Jesus Christ, nothing can separate you from the infinite love of God. That includes trouble, persecution, suffering, and even death. God loves you now and forever. Everlasting life in Christ is the Father's everlasting love (Romans 8:37-38).

How God Is for Us

As a believer in Jesus Christ, rest assured that God is for you. "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31). The answer to that question is obvious. If God is for you, it matters not who else should be against you. God, who rules over all, is for you in Christ. He has forever proven it at the cross, where Jesus died for your sins (Romans 8:33).

God is for us during all the trials, temptations, and problems of life. No matter what you face in life, God is always for you. Therefore, you can depend upon His grace sufficient for every need (2 Corinthians 12:9). Even when you have failed God, you confess and repent of your sins, knowing that He will forgive you (1 John 1:9).

God is for us in any and every problem of life. "In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us" (Romans 8:37). As a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, you are more than a conqueror. Nothing can separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39).

God is for us, so we can pray with confidence. That should relieve our reluctance to ask God for help. Come with confidence to God's throne of grace, because God is for us. "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16). 

How Christ Is In You

If Christ is in you now, and you can know for sure. Three simple questions will tell you the truth. First, do you have faith in our Lord Jesus Christ? Secondly, do you have the hope of eternal life in Christ? Most importantly, do you know the love of Christ in your heart, causing you to love the Lord and others?

The abiding gifts of the Holy Spirit are working in all who have a personal relationship with God in Christ. That's how you know the Holy Spirit is in you now. "And now abide faith, hope, and love, these three; but the greatest of these is love" (1 Corinthians 13:13).

Christ is in you now through the Holy Spirit. You can know for sure through the abiding gifts of the Spirit in you. God's Spirit enables your faith in Christ. He gives you hope in Christ for the future. He fills you with the love of Christ. His love works in your heart, that is your mind, will, and emotions.

Faith, hope, and love in Jesus Christ is sure evidence that the abiding gifts of the Spirit are in your life. Abiding faith is your bond with Christ. Hope in Christ is your assurance of eternal life. The love of Christ in you is the greatest evidence of all, because "God is love" (1 John 4:8, 16). 

Christ is in every believer through the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9). You can know for sure that the abiding gifts of the Spirit are in you. The Holy Spirit enables your faith in Christ. He gives you hope in Christ for the future. He fills you with the love of Christ. His love works in your heart, that is your mind, will, and emotions.

Those Who Will Perish

Jesus said, "Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish" (Luke 13:5). He made it clear. There are no exceptions, repent or perish. Those who are saved have come to repentance. Those who will perish are all who refuse to repent.

God's command to all people everywhere is to repent. "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent" (Acts 17:30). Those who will perish disobey God's command to repent. That includes all who do not repent.

The word repent (metanoeo) means to have a change of mind that leads to a change of direction in a person's life. It's a change of mind toward God about our sin, and a change of direction in life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

God's command for all people to repent is clear. He saves all who repent. Let us always remember that our responsibility is to repent and believe in Christ (Acts 17:30; John 1:12). God's will "that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9) is His will of command to all people everywhere (Acts 17:30).

What God commands, God gives to us in Christ. That includes our repentance, "if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth" (2 Timothy 2:25). God's goodness in our Lord Jesus Christ leads us to repentance (Acts 2:38; Romans 2:4). Those who will perish reject God's goodness in Christ.

God Revealed to All

God is revealed to all through creation and conscience. Reason concludes from creation, there must be a Creator. Conscience convicts us when we have done wrong. Even though God is revealed to all, still we may resist and refuse to believe. Therefore, we are without excuse before God.

Let no reasonable person say there is no God. Creation declares the glory and wisdom of God in the created order (Romans 1:19-21). If there is no God, then the irrational conclusion is simple. Nothing made everything. What a foolish conclusion. That's God's common grace resisted. God is revealed to all.

God is revealed to all not only through the created order, but also through our conscience (Romans 2:15). We are created as responsible moral agents. However, when we ignore conscience in our sin, we would like to think that we are not accountable to God. Yet, God's common grace resisted leaves no excuse.

Mankind, in the corruption of sin, willfully chooses to reject common grace. We don't want to be accountable to God, because of our own natural bias to sin. If there really is a Creator and conscience is true, we need an excuse. However, God revealed to all gives no excuse. 

Believe God's Promises

Charles H. Spurgeon wrote, "The whole burden of our salvation rests upon the faithfulness of our covenant God. The whole matter of salvation is centered on the attribute of God's great faithfulness."

Believe God's promises according to the everlasting covenant (Hebrews 13:20-21). God's covenant promises are for every believer (Hebrews 8:10-13). He is faithful to keep his covenant promises. God has bound himself to his people forever with his oath of covenant promises.

Believe God's promises for you in the gospel. Jesus died on the cross as the everlasting covenant sacrifice. God is faithful to forgive and cleanse you from all sin, through the blood of Jesus (1 John 1:7-9). The power of God's covenant promises are proven forever through the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Believe all God's promises in Christ. They are Yes and Amen for you (2 Corinthians 1:20). God will not break his covenant word. He has sworn with an oath. Your faith stands upon God's covenant promises. That's God's oath of promise. To doubt God's word in the Bible is to doubt his great faithfulness.

Believe God's promises found in your Bible. That's the assurance of your salvation based upon God's covenant promises. Your assurance is faith in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, as your covenant surety (Hebrews 7:20-22). God's covenant promises makes your salvation sure in Christ.

God's Saving Grace

God shows common grace to all. For example, common grace gives us rain with fruitful seasons, providing for the natural needs of all mankind. God's goodness to all is common grace. Yet, common grace is not saving grace.

God's saving grace is in Christ. The only way that you can have a personal relationship with God is through grace alone in Christ alone. He must reveal himself to you and in you. That has been appropriately called amazing grace. It's not what you do for God. It's what God has done for you in Christ. All that you are or ever hope to be is by the grace of God.

God's saving grace is to believers through the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Every believer's testimony echoes the words of the apostle Paul, "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain" (First Corinthians 15:10). Grace gives all the glory to God. That's because grace is always God's gift to you, that you never merit nor earn. 

God's saving grace is freely given. There is no way you can merit nor earn the favor of God. It comes to you only as a gift to be freely received (Ephesians 2:8-9). Faith in Jesus Christ receives the grace of God. Don't fall for the idea that you can somehow be good enough to merit God's gift. Grace is not for good people. Grace in Christ is offered to sinners, and that includes all of us (Romans 3:23).

God Will Save Whoever

The promise of God is to save whoever calls upon the Lord. He promises to respond. The promise is not for only a few. It's for whoever. His promise is to save whoever calls upon the Lord. That includes you. "Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13).

Whoever calls on the Lord Jesus Christ shall be saved. The word Lord speaks of his rule over all. He has all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). Jesus is Lord, which means that he died for our sins, and he is risen from the dead (Romans 10:9).

No one is beyond the Lord's saving power. He saves us from the power of sin and the spiritual powers of darkness (Colossians 1:13). As we call upon the Lord, he is more than able to save us to the uttermost (Hebrews 7:25).

The promise of God is to save whoever. He is not only powerful enough to save whoever, but he is also good enough to do so. "For the Lord is good" (Psalm 100:5). Those who trust God's goodness will not be disappointed. "For the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him" (Romans 10:12).

Christ Died for Us

The prophet Isaiah foretold how Jesus died as our substitute. He died in the place of every believer, for our sins. It was prophesied centuries before it happened. "He was led as a lamb to the slaughter" (Isaiah 53:7). The Bible is such an amazing book. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the Bible declares by the foreknowledge of God, how Christ died for us centuries before it was fulfilled.

Christ died as the Lamb of God, dying for the sins of the world. John the Baptist pointed to Jesus as the fulfillment of the prophecy. He said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). He died to redeem believers out of all nations (Revelation 5:9). That is how Jesus died as our substitute.

Christ Jesus, like the passover lamb in the Old Testament, died in our place. He is every believer's substitute at the cross. He took your judgment and punishment. He shed his blood and poured out his life on your behalf. He died that believers may have life eternal. Our sin debt was paid in full by the Lamb of God.

Every believer can testify, that on the cross Jesus died in my place. Our testimony of faith is made sure by the Holy Spirit working grace in our hearts. By faith we see how Jesus died on the cross for us, knowing that he was the sacrifice for all of our sins (1 John 1:7).

How Faith Is Given

"God has dealt to each one a measure of faith" (Romans 12:3). What God requires of you, God provides for you. Faith will. come as a gift of the Holy Spirit. Faith comes to you as a gift of God's grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). Faith is one of the three abiding gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 13:13).

Faith is given by the Holy Spirit, through the word of God. The word of Holy Scripture is inspired by the Spirit of God. The same Holy Spirit gives us faith from God through the word of God. "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17). Therefore, "receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls" (James 1:21).

Faith is given by the Holy Spirit, through Jesus Christ our Lord. We are "looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2). Faith is not self-confidence. To the contrary, it is confidence in God through Christ. He is both the author and finisher of our faith.

Faith is given with boldness. That boldness is confident assurance in Christ. The gift of faith has bold access to God through "Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him" (Ephesians 3:11-12).

The Spirit Indwells Us

Charles Spurgeon testified of how God's Spirit is in all believers. He said, "Where the Holy Spirit dwells within a living child of God, He later rises out of the very midst of him as a fountain or a river, so that others may come and participate in the Spirit's gracious influences."

Spurgeon made it clear that God's Spirit is in all believers to flow out of us for the benefit and blessing of others. He quoted John 7:38. Jesus said, "He who believes in me, as the scripture hath said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." The Holy Spirit indwells us and flows out of us. He indwells believers to bless us. He flows out of believers to bless others.

Spurgeon was gifted as a pastor-evangelist. He knew that souls were saved through his ministry, because of the work of the Holy Spirit. All believers have at least one ministry gift of the Spirit. God uses us in ministry to others, through the work of the Holy Spirit flowing out of us (1 Peter 4:10-11).

The Holy Spirit flows out of believers to touch the lives of others. The Holy Spirit both indwells us,  and flows out of us to reach others. The Holy Spirit does the work through us, even out of us, flowing as rivers of living water. We give all the glory to God, knowing that the Holy Spirit works both in us, and through us. "For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure"(Philippians 2:13).

God's Providence Over All

Life is not ruled by random chance. Providence is at work over all, because providence is the work of God. "For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever" (Romans 11:36). God's providence includes all things, bringing all glory to God.

God's providence works daily in our lives. Providence works in our lives according to a divine plan. Providence sees what is ahead and prepares the way. Providence works in the least details of your life, as well as the greatest things. God's providence works in all things.

God's providence proves that chance and luck are myths. Providence works according to God's eternal purpose, "the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will" (Ephesians 1:11). That's providence, not chance.

God's providence is the purpose of your life (Romans 8:28). Providence is always working for good in the lives of all who love God. When providence encounters evil, it works to bring good out of it (Genesis 50:20). 

God's providence uses circumstances in your life to bring you to faith in Jesus Christ. Providence is for you in Christ. Providence opens doors of opportunity for you to do God's will. Providence works over all, when you understand and when you don't.

Whom God Will Bless

God will bless every believer with the forgiveness of all sins and life everlasting, through Jesus Christ our Lord. This good news is offered freely to all. It comes as the gift of God. "For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8).

God will bless every believer in the gospel. The death of Jesus Christ was for all our sins. Eternal life is through his resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Only the death of Jesus Christ at the cross can save us from the condemnation of our sins. The resurrection of Christ proves that eternal life is in Jesus the Son of God by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 1:1-4). 

The gospel of Jesus Christ includes every blessing. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3). God will bless believers through the gospel of Jesus Christ our Lord.

The word Gospel means good news. The good news is our Lord Jesus Christ offered to you and all people everywhere (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-47). God sent his Son to die for our sins, and Christ was raised from the dead according to the Scripture (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Jesus Christ our Lord brings all of God's blessings to every believer.

God's Love and Wrath

"And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world" (1 John 2:2). Propitiation satisfies the wrath of God. In our salvation, propitiation satisfied the holiness of God's justice through the sacrifice of Christ at the cross.

God's justice was satisfied at the cross of Jesus. Propitiation (Greek: hilasmos) is a New Testament word which means satisfaction. Christ crucified satisfied the holiness and justice of God to save guilty sinners. In our place, Jesus died to take the punishment of our sins.

The propitiation of Christ was seen at the cross, because of God's love for sinners. "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). Christ crucified is love's crowning deed, satisfying God's justice. 

God's justice was paid in full for every believer in our Lord Jesus Christ. Justice paid the price for believers in the sacrifice of Christ at the cross. Believers in Christ our Lord receive God's love (John 3:16). Those who believe not in Christ face God's wrath abiding upon them. 

"He who believes in the Son has everlasting life, and he who does not believe in the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him" (John 3:36).

The Holy Spirit Resisted

The Holy Spirit is resisted by those who reject the gospel. They thereby have "insulted the Spirit of grace" (Hebrews 10:29). The Bible teaches that people resist the Holy Spirit, because their hearts have not been changed by the grace of God. The responsibility of man is his own just condemnation in rejecting the gospel  of Christ.

"You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you" (Acts 7:51). Only the Spirit of God can change the heart of man, which means our mind, will, and emotions. By resisting the Holy Spirit, people are insulting the only one who can apply the gospel of Christ to our hearts.

The Holy Spirit, who changes the corrupt heart of man, is the same Spirit who convicts the heart of man. Conviction is grace that precedes new birth (John 16:7-11). When conviction is resisted, grace is resisted. Conviction deals specifically with the sin of unbelief, in essence, rejecting the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Why would anyone reject the gospel of Christ? Jesus said, "And this is condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil" (John 3:19). Therefore, those who resist the Spirit, by rejecting the gospel of Christ, face their own just condemnation.

How to Hear God

"Today if you will hear his voice, do not harden your hearts" (Hebrews 3:15). God speaks to you through the Bible. It's God's love letter to you. The Holy Spirit inspired the words of Holy Scripture centuries ago, but He still speaks through them. Those who believe not, can only read printed words on paper. Believers read words that speak to their hearts. Hear God today through the Bible.

Hear God with your heart. The heart is your mind, will, and emotions. His word to you is through the Holy Spirit. God's voice has been seldom heard by the ears of men, even in Bible times. God's word in the Bible will speak daily to your heart. 

Hear God today. He has important things to say to you through the Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16). God speaks in a personal and intimate way to every believer. God communicates with you to experience his love in your heart, "because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us" (Romans 5:5).

God's Spirit, who inspired the Scripture, speaks to the hearts of all God's children. God shares His thoughts with you. They are eternal thoughts found in your Bible from the Father above. God's thoughts encourage, console and comfort you. His thoughts strengthen and assure you. "God is love" (1 John 4:8). God speaks to you today with love.

The Holy Spirit Seals Us

"In Him (Christ) you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise" (Ephesians 1:13). Scripture is clear, upon believing the gospel of Christ, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. 

In Bible days, important letters were written on scrolls of parchment. It was rolled together and sealed in such a way that the recipient of the letter knew that no one had changed the message. We could say, it was signed, sealed and delivered. This custom was used to illustrate our security in Christ. Believers are sealed by God's Spirit.

The Holy Spirit of promise comes to you through faith in Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:2, 5). The Holy Spirit is the covenant promise of God to you and every believer (Acts 2:38-39). God says, "I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them" (Ezekiel 36:27).

The Holy Spirit is your seal of promise, to be your Guide, Counselor, Helper and Comforter. The Holy Spirit was promised to you as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:13). Every believer is sealed with the promise of the Spirit, unto the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30). That's the day Christ returns and believers are glorified into His likeness (1 John 3:2). 

The Power of Evangelism

In his book Joy Unspeakable, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones states, "Go through Acts and in every instance when we are told either that the Spirit came upon these men or that they were filled with the Spirit, you will find that it was in order to bear a witness and a testimony." He observed in the book of Acts, the anointing of the Holy Spirit to use men in evangelism.

The power of evangelism is through the Holy Spirit. He bears witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ. He uses us to share the gospel in power. Jesus said, "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit is come upon you, and you shall be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth" (Acts 1:8). That's New Testament evangelism.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16). The gospel comes not in word only, but through the power of the Holy Spirit. "For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance" (1 Thessalonians 1:5). Anointed evangelism is in the Word and the Spirit.

Let us pray that God will use us to share the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. Let us also give the glory to God for those who are saved, recognizing our total dependence upon the Holy Spirit. God wants to use us in evangelism through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Be Saved and Sure

Jesus died for our sins on the cross. He is risen from the dead for our justification. We become children of God by faith in the Lord Jesus (Galatians 3:26). Jesus intercedes for believers, that the Father will "keep them from the evil one" (John 17:15). This is the present day ministry of Jesus, as every believer's High Priest (Hebrews 7:20-25). Jesus shall return to glorify all who believe in Him (1 John 3:2). Be saved and sure as a believer, if Jesus is your surety!

Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant (Hebrews 7:22). A surety is a guarantee. In Bible days, the word surety was used to describe someone who guaranteed another person's debt would be paid. All of us have a sin debt to God. The good news is Jesus paid it all. Be saved and sure by faith in Christ alone.

There is no way that we can repay our sin debt against God. We have broken God's law. Our conscience testifies as much. The good news is that Jesus paid it all. Believers look to the cross of Jesus, where He died in our place. Our sin debt to God's justice was paid, not in part but the whole. As believers, we are free from a debt that we could never repay, when Jesus is our surety. 

In Jesus Christ our Lord be saved and  sure, according to God's promises. In the new covenant, God makes four promises to every believer, guaranteed through Jesus Christ (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 8:7-13). These promises are: (1) God will put His laws in our mind; (2) God will be our God and we are His people; (3) We will all know the Lord; (4) God will forgive our sins and remember them no more.

The Lord Opens Hearts

Because of our sinful nature, the Lord opens hearts to respond to the gospel of Christ. The Spirit of grace enables us to respond freely to the gospel. In conversion, we respond to the Holy Spirit through repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul (Acts 16:14). These words speak of Lydia, a woman who worshiped God but had not yet heard the gospel to believe in Christ. God opened her heart to hear and respond to the gospel. The word "heart" describes our mind, will, and emotions. It is a term for our innermost person.

God's Spirit of grace goes before conversion opening hearts to hear the gospel and choose to receive Christ (John 1:12-13). It may be identified with the convicting work of the Holy Spirit (John 16:7-11). It is the gospel call for you to trust the Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:13). The Spirit of God opens your heart to convince you concerning the truth of the gospel.

Your heart is opened to hear and understand the gospel. He enables you to respond freely to the call of Christ. God works concurrently with your choice. Jesus stands at the door of your life and knocks. You may open the door by believing the gospel to receive Christ (Revelation 3:20; John 1:12).

Christ Is Our Election

Christ is our election unto salvation from eternal judgment. Christ is our deliverance from condemnation. Election is God the Father's choice to save sinners in Christ (Ephesians 1:4-6). Reprobation is the opposite of election. It is the reprobate's choice to reject God's salvation in Christ (John 3:18).

Christ is our election by God's grace. He saves us from the condemnation of our sin. God's grace is his goodness, leading us to repentance (Romans 2:4). The reprobate chooses to obstinately reject the goodness of God's grace in Christ. 

Christ is our election confirmed through faith (2 Peter 1:1,10); reprobation is confirmed through continual rejection of Christ. Election gives mercy to sinners through Christ crucified (Romans 5:8). Christ risen from the dead brings justification to sinners by faith alone (Romans 4:5; 10:9). The reprobate is hardened in his own sin that rejects Christ forever. 

Christ is our election by God's active will to save us as believers. Reprobation is God's passive will to let others continue in their sin and unbelief. Election is the will of God in Christ (1 Peter 1:1-2). Reprobation is the will of man in sin (John 5:40).

Christ is our election in salvation to the praise of God's glory. God saves us by faith in Christ to the praise of His glorious grace (Ephesians 1:6). God passively allows those who are reprobate to reject Christ unto their own just condemnation (John 3:19).

How God Will Provide

God is Jehovah-jireh, meaning the Lord will provide (Genesis 22:14). God will provide for all who believe in his name. That means you can trust in who God is. It's not just who you want him to be. God's name is revealed to you and all believers. You can trust in his name, as the Lord provides for your need.

God will provide as our heavenly Father. He knows your needs before you ask. Prayer is not designed for us to inform God. He knows all things. Our prayers receive from God our Father. Jesus said to pray,"Our Father in heaven"(Matthew 6:9). He taught us to make requests based upon our needs."Give us this day our daily bread"(Matthew 6:11). God will provide as your Father in heaven.

God will provide according to our needs. All of us have needs. Fear says, No one is going to provide for your needs. You are a needy person with no one who can help. Faith says, "My God shall supply all of my need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus"(Philippians 4:19).

Our greatest need is not physical nor financial. Our greatest need is spiritual. We need God. We need faith that God will provide. God's covenant name among others is Jehovah-jireh. It means God will provide. His name reveals His character. It's who He is and what He does.

Walk In the Light

"If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin"(1 John 1:7). Through the gospel, as believers see the truth of Christ by the Holy Spirit. We are able to walk daily in the light of Christ.

"For it is God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (2 Corinthians 4: 6). That is the light of the Holy Spirit. Our hearts are enlightened to see the glory of God in Christ.

Light comes to our hearts through the gospel of Christ (1 Thessalonians 1:5). The change is sudden and abrupt. It's like turning on a light in a dark room. That's the way the Spirit of light changes those who have lived in darkness. New birth scatters our darkness into light. 

The Holy Spirit brings us out of darkness into the light without any resistance. It comes by new birth, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is not our achievement. Rather, illumination of the Spirit comes from without, changing our hearts within. Jesus is the light, as the Holy Spirit opens "the eyes of your understanding"(Ephesians 1:18).

When We Trust God

The first lesson a baby learns in life is to trust. The bond between a mother and the infant is trust. The baby learns to trust the mother to be there. The cry is heard and mother's loving arms lift the infant for nurture and care. So all who are born again know how to trust God.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding"(Proverbs 3:5). None of us can understand all about the greatness of God. Our understanding is limited. Like an infant who does not understand the mother, yet trust is developed. There is so much that we don't understand about God. Trusting God means we don't lean on our own understanding.

Trusting God is based upon His word of promise. He is faithful to all of His promises."God who has promised cannot lie"(Titus 1:2). Our bond with God is based upon His word of truth found in your Bible. When we trust God, we are trusting His word.

Trusting God is trusting His word of promise in the Bible. Read the promises of God. Pray the promises of God. Trust God to always keep His word of promise in your life. Trust God when you understand and when you don't. Are you trusting God with all your heart?

Your Spiritual Battle

Temptation is part of our spiritual warfare, and it comes through thoughts. We have a spiritual enemy who tempts with thoughts. When those thoughts are not rejected, they become strongholds, leading to bad habits and addictions. Your spiritual battle is won or lost in your thoughts. 

Your spiritual battle involves tempting thoughts. The Bible warns of thoughts that become strongholds, hindering your relationship with God. Those thoughts must be pulled down and brought captive to Christ. This is the spiritual battle within you. Bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Ask God to bring your attention to any pattern of thinking which opposes his good will for you. Pray that all such thoughts be pulled down and brought captive to Christ. The power of temptation is broken as strongholds are destroyed. O LORD, You have searched me and known me ... You understand my thoughts afar off (Psalm 139:1-2).

Thoughts make a difference in our relationship with God. He gives thoughts that will encourage, strengthen, and comfort you. Those thoughts are found in the Bible. Feed your mind on the thoughts of God. In our spiritual warfare, God will give victory through thoughts of love, grace, mercy and peace. Think God's thoughts, according to the Scripture.